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.
Catherine Athènes gets elected to the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative Board
On April 12, 2023, the global leader in developing and manufacturing high-value-added aluminium products and solutions and in aluminium recycling, Constellium, announced that Catherine Athènes, the Group Vice President of Global Sustainability and Public Affairs Europe, was elected to the Board of Directors of the Aluminum Stewardship Initiative (ASI), a global non-profit, multi-stakeholder, standards setting and certification organization for the aluminium value chain. Athènes has over 20 years of expertise in the aluminium business and over 30 years of international experience in sustainability, corporate strategy, marketing, and sales. She has been leading Constellium's sustainability journey since 2018. Catherine Athènes said, “I am honoured to join ASI’s Board of Directors....
Transportation sector propels the demand for aluminium castings
The aluminium casting market is anticipated to expand significantly in the upcoming days as a result of rising demand for lightweight and fuel-efficient automobiles, the proliferation of the construction industry, and the high usage of renewable energy sources. The latest industry-focused exclusive report by AlCircle, “Global Aluminium Industry Outlook 2023” , unveils that the global aluminium castings usage remained stable in 2022 at a 2021 level of around 21.3 million tonnes. However, the usage is forecast to increase marginally in 2023 to reach 21.8 million tonnes. Aluminium casting accounts for a sizable portion of the global metal casting industry, which is expected to expand significantly in the coming years. This market includes a wide range of aluminium casting products, including...
Tunisia regulates metal waste including non-ferrous scrap
Economically speaking, one of the most promising resources, ferrous scrap and non-ferrous scrap like aluminium, copper, lead, zinc, tin, brass, etc., recently came under new regulation in Tunisia under the context of the 2023 financial law. Secondary aluminium from recycling allows up to 90 per cent of energy savings in production compared to primary aluminium. Specifically, the demand for aluminium is increasing. Aluminium replaces traditional materials such as steel to reduce weight and, thus, energy consumption. According to Article 35 of this law, industrial firms that export non-ferrous metal waste and ferrous scrap and businesses operating in the industry for the general subject to the tax are also liable to the tariff on the scrap metal export. This move was justified by the...
Alumil named "The Most Sustainable Companies in Greece 2023”
For the third consecutive year, an aluminium architectural systems research, development, and production company, Alumil S.A., is on "The Most Sustainable Companies in Greece 2023" list as one of the 35 leading companies that create the Charter of Sustainable Development and Responsible Entrepreneurship in Greece. Alumil has its headquarters in Stavrochori Kilkis, Greece and operates worldwide with over 30 subsidiaries. On Thursday, March 30, the Quality Net Foundation, a specialized organization in sustainable development initiatives, announced the results at the Goulandris Natural History Museum. Participating companies were evaluated based on their environmental, social, and corporate governance performance on ESG criteria. Upon evaluation, an Independent Jury included 35 distinguished...
Swedish auto brand Polestar uses low-carbon aluminium components in its EVs for decarbonization
The Swedish automotive brand, Polestar, strives to reduce its carbon footprint in all aspects of car manufacturing. It recently reported that it had successfully reduced relative CO 2 emissions in 2022 by 8 per cent compared to 2021. The manufacturer, which is part of the Chinese-owned Geely group, has set an ambitious goal of halving its car-making emissions by 2030, which they say they will achieve through increased traceability on risk materials and new partners engaged in business activities centred on what the company calls Polestar 0 technology (zero). Despite achieving a record 80 per cent global volume growth since 2021, translating into a total of 51,500 cars in 2022, the specialist EV maker can confirm it has reduced relative CO 2 emissions per car sold by 8 per cent compared to...
CBAM may lead to retaliatory tariffs by India on EU exports
According to the officials familiar with the government of India's decision-making team, it has been informed to us that in response to the EU's proposed carbon tax, which might disrupt over $8 billion worth of Indian metal exports to the EU, India is considering slapping retaliatory tariffs on exports from the EU. Exports of aluminium, steel and iron to nations outside the European Union will be subject to increased regulation beginning on October 1, 2023, as part of the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), which is commonly termed carbon tax. From October 1, 2023, aluminium, iron and steel exports to European Union countries worldwide will face added scrutiny under the bloc's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), or carbon tax. From January 1 2026, suppliers must insert...
Power stations of Alba accelerate Industry 4.0 transformation with OPS
Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba) has reached another milestone in its Industry 4.0 Transformational Journey by launching the Online Performance System (OPS) for its Power Stations. In order to improve Alba's asset reliability, the Online Monitoring System will offer a digital plant performance dashboard and track plant degradation through digital Industry 4.0 and artificial intelligence (A.I.). On April 4, 2023, Ali Al Baqali, the CEO of Alba, attended the inauguration ceremony in the presence of Amin Sultan, the Chief Power Officer and other senior officials in the Power Station department. Speaking on this occasion, the CEO said, “The first step in our journey towards digital transformation is changing how we think and do our business. By integrating Artificial Intelligence and Machine...
Rusal's Jamaica facilities suffer strike, operation disrupts
Rusal's trade and production workers of its Jamaica facilities at Windalco, Port Esquivel, and Kirkvine have assured to report back to work when the business responds to claims granted by the Industrial Disputes Tribunal (IDT). On April 3, 2022, the workers took strike action in the morning by shutting down operations at the facilities as they held down their demands. The workers stated, "The Company is insisting that they would not be allowed on the compound if they do not sign contracts that reportedly have no provision for pension, redundancy, and overtime payments." "Rusal has also gone back on their promise that they would give five workers $30,000 a year as education assistance. If the company does not provide solutions, everyone will have to wait at the gate." Vincent Morrison, the...
AEC reveals the latest EPDs for aluminium extrusions and the corresponding LCA
The progressive trade association dedicated to advancing the effective use of aluminium extrusion in North America, the Aluminum Extruders Council (AEC), has released its updated Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for Aluminum Extrusions and the corresponding Life Cycle Analysis (LCA). The Council has also made available a sensitivity analysis that demonstrates to product specifiers how they might impact the carbon footprint of the products they specify. These EPDs for the aluminium extrusion industry document the environmental performance of aluminium extrusions manufactured in the United States and Canada. They are based on a thorough analysis of the inputs and outputs of eight extruders that are members of the AEC and have been certified by UL Environmental. The study covered 30...
Alcoa expands its sustainable brand EcoSource™ to include non-metallurgical grade alumina
On April 4, 2023, Alcoa announced expanding the Company’s low-carbon alumina brand EcoSource™ to include specific grades of non-metallurgical alumina now. EcoSource is the world's first and only low-carbon alumina brand, first launched in 2020 for smelter-grade applications (SGA). It is now available in non-metallurgical (NMA) grades, such as hydrates and calcined materials. Hydrates are primarily used in municipal water treatment applications, whereas calcined materials are used in the production of ceramic tiles, glass, and flame retardants. Kelly Thomas, the Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer of Alcoa, said, “Alcoa is the world’s largest producer of non-metallurgical alumina outside of China. We’re excited to expand our EcoSource brand to more customers as an...
Weldall secures £500,000 finance package from Lloyds Bank to improve its production capabilities
The Cannock-based family-owned architectural fabrication business, Weldall, supporting the construction industry by offering bespoke welding and fabricated products in aluminium, stainless steel and mild steel, serving the entire UK, is set to increase its efficiency and production capabilities. It works primarily with windows and cladding firms in London, as well as regionally in Birmingham and Manchester. Weldall has acquired fibre laser cutting equipment with the aid of an asset loan package worth more than £500,000 from Lloyds Bank to meet growing customer demand. The cutting-edge Bystronic BySmart Fiber machine will increase the speed threefold at which the company can process metal. The machine includes a 10-kilowatt laser and can cut metals up to 30 mm thick, including aluminium,...
Key highlights from the global aluminium value chain, March 2023
The global aluminium value chain has witnessed the month with several activities. The impacts of the geopolitical crisis on the aluminium industry sustain as of now, and the energy price effect continues to challenge the industry. AlCircle’s latest industry-focused report, “Global Aluminium Industry Outlook 2023” , reveals that high inflation and the economic slowdown will keep the global aluminium demand gloomy, at least during the first half of 2023. However, the resumption of the Chinese economy is showing a positive trend, but its impact may be reflected in the second half of the year. Here are the top stories from each segment for the month: As part of a joint venture, Gränges and Shandong Innovation Metal (group) Technology are on the go for constructing a recycling and casting...
Vietnam focuses on building progressive mining industry
According to Vietnam's latest geological and mineral strategy, the country is eyeing to bolster governance over the use of mineral resources and strengthen investment in mining technology while establishing a state-of-art mining sector that adheres to environmental protection. In accordance with the national strategy, Vietnam plans to explore a variety of minerals by 2045, including bauxite, among others like coal, uranium, titanium-zircon, rare earth, apatite, copper, nickel and tin while simultaneously exploiting and preserving strategic, essential, and large-scale minerals. As part of the plan approved recently by Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha, Vietnam aims to map 85 per cent of the country's geological and mineral resources by 2030. He said that Vietnam would develop technology,...
Tax and royalties paid by Rio Tinto in 2022 totalled $10.8 billion
The global mining and metal giant Rio Tinto has released its 2022 Taxes and Royalties Paid Report, showing that $10.8 billion was paid as taxes and royalties. This is the third-highest annual global taxes and royalties paid by Rio Tinto since it published its first Annual Taxes Paid report for 2010. However, this compares to $13.3 billion in 2021, during a period of exceptionally high commodity prices. About half of the company's assets are located in Australia, including bauxite mining, alumina refinery and aluminium smelting, where taxes and royalties totalled $8.5 billion (A$12.3 billion) in 2022, down from $11.1 billion (A$14.8 billion) in 2021. In addition to Canada ($718 million), where also Rio Tinto has aluminium smelters, Chile ($678 million), Mongolia ($294 million), and the...
Deep-tech startup Metastable Materials extracts aluminium from lithium-ion batteries without chemicals
Deep-tech recycling business Metastable Materials, which specialises in lithium-ion batteries, has received seed funding led by Surge, Sequoia Capital India, and Southeast Asia's quick scale-up programme. Deep-tech VC Speciale Invest, Theia Ventures, and other angel investors participated. Lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries are used in millions of automobiles worldwide, and demand is growing fast daily. So, the US$4.6 billion Li-ion battery recycling market is anticipated to increase at least five times by 2030 as businesses look for an appropriate approach to manage Li-ion batteries that have reached the end of their useful lives. Additionally, many countries, including the EU, want to enact legislation to ensure that batteries can be recycled or reused after their useful lives. However,...
AusProof celebrates the first anniversary of Aluminium Low Voltage Restrained Range
The worldwide industry leader in designing and manufacturing electrical cable couplers, AusProof, introduced its new Aluminium Low Voltage Restrained Range of low-voltage cable coupler solutions a year ago. While its ex-certified stainless-steel range can be used in non-Ex environments, AusProof is always looking for ways to improve and advance its products to meet the needs of its customers. In this case, AusProof sought to address two key issues, firstly, the product weight reduction and then followed by the costs associated with using an Ex-certified product in a non-Ex environment. The Aluminium Low Voltage Restrained Range was released in 2022 by AusProof's Research and Development team. Specifically designed for use in non-ex operational sites such as metalliferous mining, open-cut...
InBev launches AI beer Beck's Autonomous in a hybrid aluminium-glass can
In a bid to be one of the most innovative beer companies in the world, Anheuser-Busch InBev has created the world's first beer and an entire marketing campaign that uses artificial intelligence. In celebration of Beck’s beer brand’s 150th anniversary, the global brewer said it used ChatGPT and Midjourney to design the beer, branding and marketing. InBev says the AI technology directed all editing and continued development until a final version was given, making Beck's Autonomous one of the "first completely machine-created beers in the world". Laura Salway, the Marketing Director of Beck, stated why the company decided to create the beer, “We’ve always been at the cutting edge of innovation in the beer world and thrilled to be releasing a limited-edition beer and marketing campaign made...
Global alumina market witnessed significant developments in 2022
The Chinese alumina production capacity was approximately 76.6 million tonnes as of November 2022. AlCircle’s latest report ‘Global Aluminium Industry Outlook 2023’ states that the nation's alumina refineries used about 79 per cent of their capacity in November 2022 compared to 81 per cent in October 2022. Higher Covid infection rates in China during that time, production restrictions due to environmental issues, and lower operating rates contributed to the reduction. China is anticipated to have produced 6.7 million tonnes of alumina in November 2022, out of which 95 per cent of which was metallurgical quality. Australia is still the world's largest alumina exporter and the second-largest producer. The nation's production was projected to have increased from 20.1 million tonnes in...
