AlCircle News Edited By "Rupankar Majumder"
A professional with a technical background, specialising in producing insightful content centred around metals, particularly aluminium, passionately engaged in the intricacies of the recycling sector.
Utkal coal block lease enhances NALCO's fuel security
National Aluminium Company (NALCO) has signed a mining lease deed for the amalgamated Utkal-D and Utkal-E coal blocks in Angul district, Odisha. The announcement was made in an exchange filing after trading hours on December 24, 2024. As one of Asia's largest integrated primary aluminium producers, NALCO's presence encompasses the entire value chain from bauxite mining, alumina refining, aluminium smelting, and power generation to downstream products. The lease agreement will enable NALCO to enhance its coal production capacity to 4.0 MTPA, significantly strengthening fuel security for its captive power plant. The lease will remain valid until April 21, 2051. For the first time in its 41-year history, NALCO smelter achieved the remarkable milestone of operating all 960 pots at full...
Iran's alumina powder production sees 5% growth
Iran's alumina powder production has recorded a five per cent growth during the first eight months of the current Iranian calendar year, spanning March 20 to November 20, as reported by the Iranian Mines and Mining Industries Development and Renovation Organisation (IMIDRO). According to IMIDRO's data, the country produced a total of 159,416 tonnes of alumina powder during this period, marking an increase from the 152,293 tonnes produced in the same timeframe last year. This steady rise in production highlights Iran's continued focus on enhancing its industrial capabilities in the mining and metallurgy sectors. Alumina, a key material for aluminium production, plays a critical role in supporting the country's broader economic and industrial goals. IMIDRO's efforts to boost output align...
Solomon Islands: Gordon Darcy Lilo rejects allegations in Rennell/Bellona bauxite mining dispute
The former Prime Minister of Solomon Islands and current Member of Parliament for Central Honiara, Gordon Darcy Lilo, has strongly refuted allegations concerning the bauxite mining controversy on Rennell Island in the Rennell/Bellona Province. Hon. Lilo’s response follows statements made during a recent parliamentary session by the present Prime Minister, Jeremiah Manele, and Hon. Bradley Tovosia, Minister of Mines, Energy & Rural Electrification. Gordon Darcy Lilo. Gordon Darcy Lilo (born 28 August 1965) is a Solomon Islander politician who served as the Prime Minister of Solomon Islands from November 16, 2011 to December 9, 2014. On December 19, 2024, the Prime Minister asserted that the contentious bauxite mining issues on Rennell were a legacy of the Lilo-Maelanga administration....
Masdar powers up Europe: Two game-changing acquisitions in the Iberian Peninsula
Masdar, the UAE’s clean energy leader, has strengthened its presence in Europe with two significant acquisitions in the Iberian Peninsula, advancing its ambitious growth strategy. The company acquired Saeta Yield from Brookfield Renewable Partners and its institutional partners in a landmark deal valued at €1.2 billion, including an equity valuation of €696 million. Masdar (Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company) is one of the world’s fastest-growing renewable energy companies. As a global clean energy pioneer, Masdar is advancing the development and deployment of solar, wind, geothermal, battery storage and green hydrogen technologies to accelerate the energy transition and help the world meet its net-zero ambitions. Established in 2006, Masdar has developed and invested in projects in over 40...
EcoEnd™: The new standard in sustainable beer packaging
Japan's leading breweries, Suntory Holdings Limited, Asahi Group Holdings, Kirin Holdings, and Sapporo Holdings, will begin phasing in using the "EcoEnd™" can lid for select beer products in February 2025. These innovative solutions significantly reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, cutting production-related emissions by approximately 40 per cent. This move takes a big step forward in terms of sustainability and environmental responsibility. Toyo Seikan Co., Ltd. has jointly developed with UACJ Corporation "EcoEnd," a beverage can lid that reduces greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by approximately 40 per cent compared to current products, and this marks the first time that it has been widely adopted in the alcoholic beverages and soft drink industry. In the future, companies will likely...
EU faces pressure from auto hubs over looming emissions fines
The leaders of Europe’s key auto manufacturing nations—Germany, Italy, and the Czech Republic—have urged Brussels to reconsider imposing financial penalties on automakers failing to meet EU emissions targets starting in 2025. Speaking after an EU leaders’ summit, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz argued that imposing fines would exacerbate the industry's challenges. He emphasised that penalties should not hinder companies' capacity to invest in electric vehicle development, which is crucial for the sector’s transition and future. Facing pressure from a snap election scheduled for February next year, Scholz remarked that while automakers introduce new EV models, consumers cannot be compelled to purchase them. The German Chancellor stated, “I think it’s right not to impose fines and to look...
Major exit: Sumitomo Chemical pulls out of aluminium smelting and resale businesses
Japanese industry giant Sumitomo Chemical has announced its decision to sell its 2.97 per cent stake in Nippon Amazon Aluminium Co., Ltd. (NAAC) to YKK AP Inc. The sale amount remains undisclosed. This move, coupled with the previously announced sale of shares in two overseas aluminium smelting companies in May 2024, marks the company's complete withdrawal from the resale business of imported aluminium ingots. Aluminium resale is often subject to global price volatility, geopolitical factors, and supply-demand imbalances. The company might seek to mitigate its financial exposure to these risks by stepping away. Sumitomo Chemical’s inorganic materials business, which includes aluminium and alumina, builds on the technological prowess, human talent, and other business resources developed in...
Ministry, JAMALCO, and PDC unite for Harmons Valley water project
A transformational multimillion-dollar water project will soon provide 60,000 gallons of water daily to around 2,000 residents in Manchester's Harmons Valley, Jamaica. This initiative is a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, JAMALCO, the Manchester Parish Development Committee (PDC), and other key stakeholders. The project focuses on providing energy-efficient water solutions to eight communities affected by bauxite mining, ensuring residents have more reliable and consistent access to this essential resource. Jamalco is a joint venture between Century Aluminum and Clarendon Alumina Production Limited that focuses on bauxite mining and alumina production. The refinery’s capacity was upgraded to 1 million mtpy in 1999 and then to 1.25 million...
Gränges ascends to Nasdaq Nordic Large Cap, reflecting market growth
The global leader in aluminium rolling and recycling in selected niches, Gränges, is set to join Nasdaq’s Large Cap segment following the Nordic market capitalisation review, effective January 2, 2025. Since its listing on Nasdaq Stockholm in October 2014, Gränges's market capitalisation has soared from SEK 3.2 billion to SEK 14.3 billion. Over this period, the company has delivered a remarkable total return of 339 per cent to shareholders, averaging an impressive 16 per cent annual growth. Jörgen Rosengren, CEO of Gränges, said, ”As a listed company, we’ve accelerated our progress toward leadership in aluminium rolling and recycling. Our sales volume and operating profit have tripled, and we’ve expanded globally through acquisitions and strategic partnerships while generating excellent...
Presidential talks focus on mining, logistics, and humanitarian cooperation between Kazakhstan and Guinea-Bissau
Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Guinea-Bissau's President Umaro Sissoco Embaló held a joint press conference, as the Kazinform News Agency reported via Akorda. During the conference, the two leaders shared a joint statement highlighting the outcomes of their bilateral discussions. President Tokayev emphasised that President Embaló's official visit to Kazakhstan signifies both nations' shared goals and aspirations despite their considerable geographic distance. The talks yielded significant agreements to strengthen cooperation across various sectors, including politics, trade, economics, culture, and humanitarian efforts. Both countries expressed a keen interest in maximising opportunities in transport and logistics. A key outcome of the discussions was the decision to...
No public funds needed: Stellantis maps out Italian production growth plan
On December 17, Stellantis unveiled a comprehensive plan to rejuvenate its production operations in Italy, as reported by Reuters. The announcement was made during a meeting with Industry Minister Adolfo Urso, alongside representatives from suppliers and trade unions. This initiative marks a significant step toward mending ties with Italy's government, which had frequently clashed with former CEO Carlos Tavares. Stellantis N.V. is a multinational automotive manufacturer formed in 2021 from the merger of the Italian–American conglomerate Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) and the French PSA Group. As of 2023, Stellantis was the world's fourth-largest automaker by sales, behind Toyota, Volkswagen Group, and Hyundai Motor Group. Stellantis designs, manufactures, and sells automobiles under its...
Hyundai Mobis unveils aluminium-based cooling tech to revolutionise EV charging
On December 17, 2023, Hyundai Mobis, the automotive parts subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Group, announced its readiness to commercialise an innovative battery cell cooling material. This breakthrough is poised to enhance both the charging efficiency and safety of electric vehicles. The material referred to as "Pulsating Heat Pipe" is made of aluminium alloy tubes filled with refrigerants. These tubes, positioned between the battery cells in the module assembly, effectively dissipate heat, particularly during fast charging. The above image reflects a comparison test of the heat dissipation performance of Hyundai Mobis' 'Pulsating Heat Pipe' for battery cell cooling and a standard aluminium cooling plate. It shows a temperature difference of nearly 20 degrees. With a groundbreaking innovation...
Aluminium wire rod consumption: Key trends and global growth drivers
Global aluminium wire rod consumption has risen steadily across the world. Aluminium's unique properties make it a key material in the electrical and electronics industries, enabling a wide range of applications. The global wire and cable market, valued at US$ 191.6 billion in 2022, is anticipated to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.3 per cent between 2023 and 2032. The global aluminium wire rod market was valued at $22.6 billion in 2023 based on consumption and regional trade flow. It is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 3.7 per cent from 2024 to 2030. The increasing demand from the power, automotive, and aerospace sectors is a substantial factor driving this market. Aluminium wire rod usage is driven mainly by the growth of worldwide electrical transmission and...
Alpha HPA finalises $400 million deal to build Australia’s first large-scale HPA production facility
The Australian-based company specialising in producing ultra-high purity alumina (HPA), Alpha HPA, has achieved a significant milestone by securing $400 million in debt financing to advance its High Purity Alumina (HPA) First Project in Gladstone, Queensland. The funding, supported by Export Finance Australia (EFA) and the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF), paves the way for Alpha HPA to develop Australia’s first large-scale high-purity alumina processing facility. The financing package includes a $320 million construction loan and an $80 million contingency fund for potential cost overruns. The company announced that both facilities have competitive interest rates and an 11-year repayment term starting from the financial close. Alpha HPA's Managing Director, Rimas...
Chevron Australian secures 10-year gas supply deal with Alcoa
On December 17, 2024, Chevron, one of the world's leading integrated energy companies with a presence in Australia for over 70 years, Chevron Australia announced that it will supply aluminium producer Alcoa with 130 petajoules of natural gas over a 10-year period starting in 2028. Chevron Corporation is an American multinational energy corporation specialising predominantly in oil and gas. According to Chevron Australia's statement, the gas will be sourced from its Gorgon and Wheatstone facilities, which have a combined capacity of 530 terajoules per day, and the North West Shelf Venture, all located in Western Australia. As reported by Reuters, Alcoa confirmed that the gas will power its alumina refineries in Western Australia. In 2020, Alcoa secured gas supply agreements with Chevron,...
“The biggest impact that sport can have on carbon emissions is to mobilise fans to act”, Tom Gribbin, Co-founder of Planet League
Tom Gribbin is the Co-founder of Planet League, a platform leveraging football to inspire sustainable living. Since 2019, Tom and Planet League have helped football fans and clubs score green goals for the planet. He has worked in sustainability, behaviour change, marketing, sports, and venture space for over 20 years. He has an MBA from the University of Cambridge and has been a Trustee of Nottingham Forest Community Trust. AL Circle Team had the distinct privilege of interviewing Tom Gribbin, the visionary Co-founder of Planet League. AL Circle: What motivated Planet League to collaborate with Ball Corporation and Kroenke Sports & Entertainment on the Green Action League? How does this align with Planet League’s broader mission? Tom Gribbin: We use the passion of sports to create real...
China Hongqiao Group’s Chairman named among 2024's "25 Influential Business Leaders" by China Entrepreneur
The 2024 (22nd) China Business Leaders Annual Conference, hosted by China Entrepreneur magazine, took place in Beijing. Among the distinguished speakers, Zhang Bo, Chairman and CEO of China Hongqiao Group, delivered the opening keynote speech. In recognition of his leadership and impact, Zhang Bo was named one of the "25 Influential Business Leaders of 2024," an accolade awarded by China Entrepreneur. The four-month selection process considered multiple perspectives and evaluated the business performance and social impact of leaders from top companies across various industries over the past year. The selection criteria spanned a broad spectrum, encompassing business achievements, strategic vision, innovation, and social responsibility. The selection of Zhang Bo is a testament to his...
Driving Queensland’s resource future: McLanahan’s role in minerals expansion
As a global mineral and agricultural equipment manufacturer, McLanahan's recent collaboration with a leading mining company has become a key driver behind the expansion of a bauxite project in Queensland. This collaboration has been instrumental in enhancing production performance at a major mining operation in Queensland, increasing its bauxite project capacity to an impressive level. McLanahan's innovative solutions, including the wobbler feeder and cross-belt sampling system, are at the heart of this success. They are engineered to efficiently and precisely tackle the specific challenges of bauxite processing. Peter Bone, Regional Manager of Wet Processing at McLanahan, said, “McLanahan worked collaboratively with the mining company and its engineering partner to investigate solutions...
