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.
Gigantic aluminium die-casting machines help carmakers save costs up to 40%
The use of giant aluminium die-casting machines, such as those made by Tesla supplier IDRA Group, can reduce manufacturing costs by up to 40 per cent by replacing around 60 welded components. Massive casting equipment, commonly called Gigapresses , was invented by Tesla to produce single, enormous pieces of vehicle underbodies, expedite production, and lighten the workload of even robots. As a result, it has become the most profitable manufacturer of battery electric vehicles (BEVs). Critics claim that the approach carries dangers to quality and adaptability because a single defect might jeopardise the integrity of an entire module and make troubleshooting more challenging. However, as raw material costs rise and the industry struggles to maintain profit margins, automakers, including...
Samsung Galaxy S23 features an array of recycled materials, including aluminium
The South Korean multinational manufacturing conglomerate, Samsung ’s flag-bearer product line and when it comes to a trustworthy premium android experience, Samsung Galaxy S series has redefined the peak performance for millions. Galaxy S23 lovers are swooning over the recently-launched series like never before. The 200MP Adaptive Pixel sensor on the Galaxy S23 Ultra captures spectacular moments with amazing precision. To handle many levels of high-resolution processing concurrently, it uses pixel binning. The Galaxy S23 series incorporates rapid autofocus and the first Super HDR selfie camera, moving from 30fps to 60fps, for considerably superior front-facing photos and movies. Selfie cameras are now more crucial than ever to how we interact. The gadget is also environmentally friendly....
Nalco posts INR 274 crores net profit in Q3 FY23, up 61%
On February 10, 2022, the Indian state-owned integrated aluminium company, National Aluminium Company Limited (Nalco), reported a net profit of INR 274 crore in Q3 FY 2022–2023, a rise of 61% from the previous quarter. According to the reviewed financial results for the third quarter of FY 23 that the Board considered on February 11, 2023, in Bhubaneswar, the Navaratna CPSE company recorded a net profit of INR 274 crores, up from INR 170 crores in the previous fiscal quarter. The net sales turnover for the third quarter was INR 3290 crore. Despite a significant increase in overall production, lower alumina sales volume during the quarter, higher input prices, and the volatile and challenging global business environment all impacted profit margins. Sridhar Patra, the CMD of Nalco , said,...
Vedanta grandly launches the 1st edition of the ‘International Aluminium Conference 2023’ in Odisha
India’s largest aluminium producer and one of the world’s leading aluminium producers, the ‘Metal of the Future’, Vedanta Aluminum, grandly launched the 1st edition of the International Aluminium Conference 2023’ (IAC 2023) at its operational location in Jharsuguda, Odisha. In collaboration with the Aluminium Association of India (AAI), the apex body representing the entire spectrum of the Indian Aluminium Industry, this 2-day Conference is being held on the 9th and 10th of February 2023, on the theme: Making India the Aluminium Capital of the World. IAC 2023 aims to be one of the world’s leading B2B platforms for collaboration between players in the global Aluminium industry and its various stakeholders, such as downstream processors, end consumers and technology suppliers from across...
Rusal initiates using aluminium scrap to make low-carbon alloys for automotive industry
The Russian aluminium giant and one of the leading producers of aluminium in the world, RUSAL, initiated using end-of-life aluminium scrap to produce foundry alloys for the automotive industry. RUSAL reduced the new product's total carbon footprint by nearly 20 per cent due to this production. Rusal's Primary Equivalent Foundry Alloys (PEFA) contains 20 per cent of aluminium scrap, which is added to the molten aluminium during production. The Company plans to expand production of PEFA during the second half of 2023 and increase the recycled content up to 30 per cent. The new product is in complete alignment with OEMs requirements, meeting the need for a low carbon footprint and recycled content. This product will address the strategic requirements linked to carbon neutrality commitments...
US may impose 200% tariffs on Russian aluminium this week
According to our report from the United States, the White House is ready to slap a 200 per cent tariff on aluminium produced in Russia as early as this week in order to maintain pressure on Russia as the Ukraine-Russia geopolitical crisis crossed its first anniversary. The geopolitical crisis has created an enormous impact globally, propelling energy prices and, as a result, denting the manufacturing sector's production. According to our source, the decision has been under consideration for months, who wanted to remain anonymous while speaking about internal discussions. Russian aluminium metal is also being targeted by the US due to the perception that Russia is dumping aluminium on the US market, which is injuring US companies. A tariff of this magnitude would effectively end US metal...
US detains Chinese aluminium believed to be the result of forced labour
On January 31, 2023, the US Customs and Border Protection began issuing "detention notices" for such products, which the Danish shipping company, active in ocean and inland freight transportation and associated services, A.P. Møller – Mærsk A/S said on its website that the action would most likely target aluminium used in automotive parts. The US and other nations have accused China of using forced labour in Xinjiang, which Beijing has denied. This dispute is just one of several between the world's two largest economies, which increasingly view one another as their main geopolitical rival. Mao Ning, the spokeswoman at China’s Foreign Ministry, when asked about the issue at a regular press briefing in Beijing, stated that the US was politicizing trade issues and destabilizing supply chains...
Constellium sells its Ussel foundry to Noe Industries
On February 3, 2023, Constellium announced the completion of the sale of its Ussel foundry to French Investment Holding Noe Industries. Among its many markets and applications, Constellium develops innovative and value-added aluminium products for aerospace, automotive, and packaging. Constellium generated a total of €6.2 billion in 2021. The Ussel facility specializes in precision casting for aerospace and defence, with 250 employees and 20 million euros in revenue in 2021. Following the completion of the regulatory information and consultation process for employee representative bodies, this announcement is being made. However, the terms of the transaction have been kept confidential.
Gema Switzerland GmbH marks the fifth anniversary of its acquisition of Surface Aluminum Technologies
The leading supplier in the area of electrostatic powder coating with a worldwide presence, Gema Switzerland GmbH celebrates the fifth anniversary of the acquisition of the Italian engineering company dedicated to designing, producing and installing aluminium extrusions surface finishing equipment and packaging systems Surface Aluminum Technologies SRL (SAT). The acquisition, finalized in January 2018, represented a significant development for SAT and Gema, for customers and the finishing market. After being strong business partners for many years, Gema and SAT decided to join forces to offer a great experience and local assistance to all aluminium industry customers. On one side, SAT has developed a broad portfolio of very innovative solutions for powder coating and anodizing of...
Key highlights from the global aluminium value chain, January 2023
The year 2023 started with a lot of hope keeping behind the fear of the pandemic and with an anticipation that the geopolitical crisis will conclude; however, it seems challenging to happen soon. In January 2023, the aluminium industry witnessed a lot of events, out of which the most difficult was Slovakia's sole aluminium producer, Slovalco, closing its smelters after 70 years of operation. The energy crisis persists, and the primary aluminium industry in Europe is countering the challenges. AlCircle launched the "Global Aluminium Outlook 2023", which revealed that World aluminium usage, including primary and recycled metal, increased by about 1.9 per cent in 2022 and stood at 95.3 million tonnes. High inflation and the continuing threat of recession will negatively impact global...
Recycled aluminium producer Stena Aluminium joins the Polestar 0 project
The Swedish electric performance car company, Polestar, has signed up with Stena Aluminium for the Polestar 0 project, which aims to create a genuinely climate-neutral car by 2030. Stena Aluminium in Älmhult, Sweden, is the leading aluminium producer using recycled raw materials. However, other than Stena Aluminium and Gränges, the new collaborators in the project include Vitesco Technologies, Schloetter, Autoneum, Stora Enso, TMG Automotive and Borgstena. Germany, Switzerland, Portugal, Finland, and Sweden are among the countries represented by these companies. They specialize in electrical inverters, electroplating, interior and exterior materials, biomaterials, wood construction, coatings, textiles, flat rolled aluminium, knitted and woven materials, and recycled aluminium, as well as...
Gränges joins Polestar 0 project focusing on creating a genuinely climate-neutral car by 2030
Polestar 0 is a project that aims to create a genuinely climate-neutral car by 2030. Gränges will contribute to the research and development of circular and low-climate impact aluminium materials and processes through its expertise in rolled aluminium. Jörgen Rosengren, the CEO of Gränges, said, "We seek to collaborate with companies who share our sustainability ambitions and net-zero targets. To get there, we need to accelerate all parts of the value chain, from material sourcing, recycling, product development and production processes to use the end product. The partnership for Polestar 0 is an excellent example of how we use our expertise in sustainable materials and processes to help customers and partners on their decarbonization journeys." Gränges' strategy is based on...
Inca introduces new packaging components using recycled aluminium
The Italian company Inca Packaging, with headquarters in Porto Valtravaglia, north of Milan, engaged in creating aluminium and plastic components for packaging in the cosmetic sector, has revealed some exciting plans for 2023. However, these plans include new investors, a new management team, and a new logo. Since 1951, Inca has been a manufacturer of aluminium and plastic primary packaging for perfumes, cosmetics, and skincare products. The company's history is closely linked to the processing of aluminium components. Stefano Parodi, the new CEO of Inca, said, "We have learnt to shape this material into all possible shapes and sizes, regardless of the quantities required, thanks to the great flexibility of our industrial process." As a result of aluminium's 100 per cent and indefinitely...
Sustainability in aluminium: Top 10 green initiatives across the value chain
Sustainability means addressing current needs without jeopardizing future generations' ability to meet their own. Sustainability has progressively moved up the corporate agenda in recent years, and it is now a major strategic goal for many companies. The aluminium industry is not an exception. As aluminium is a fundamental component of solutions for a sustainable world, it has an even more significant impact on the sector's future in many ways. Aluminium is a valuable resource in increasing end-use industries, including transportation, electrical infrastructure, and packaging. As green regulations evolve, aluminium has a lot of potential to become a material of choice, but to realize these prospects, the sector needs to be sustainable. Alcoa expands its sustainable brand EcoSource™ to...
Vedanta Aluminium raises $250 million from international banks through sustainability-linked loans
On January 31, 2023, Vedanta Aluminium announced that to finance its capital expenditures and lessen its carbon impact, it had raised $250 million (INR 2,045 crore approx.) through sustainability-linked loans from international banks. The ability of the borrower to satisfy sustainability goals is a factor in the interest rate of sustainability-linked loans. However, the company intends to use these funds for capital expenditure to achieve the decarbonization and safety performance criteria used to determine the loan terms. The loan will fuel the company's expansion, including manufacturing value-added aluminium products. International banks from the Middle East and the Far East, such as Mashreq Bank, First Abu Dhabi Bank, and CTBC Bank, are among the lenders. Rahul Sharma, the CEO of the...
Geomega Resources receives $3 million grant from Quebec's Technoclimat Program
As the transition to vehicle electrification and renewable energy sources accelerates, Geomega Resources Inc., the proponent of the first sustainable rare earth recycling facility in the world to help meet rising global magnet demand, has announced that it has secured a $3 million grant from the Technoclimat Program, administered by the Ministry of the Environment and the Fight Against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks (MELCCFP), towards the construction of the magnet recycling facility. The technology company added, "We are pleased to provide a technical update on the magnet recycling demonstration plant and the bauxite residues pilot plant." The construction of the magnet recycling demonstration facility, with a throughput capacity of 1.5 tonnes per day of feed material, will benefit...
WA water authority to slash Alcoa's water licence by a third due to unsustainable supply in the region
The largest state of Australia, West Australia's water authority, announced that they would curtail mining giant Alcoa's water licence by a third due to unsustainable water demands in the region. Simone McGurk, the WA Water Minister, claimed that a 23 per cent drop in rainfall had led to significant changes in licensed water in the Murray region in the state's southwest. In addition to cutting the region's access to future available water by 40 per cent, the updated allocations for the Murray groundwater area, located an hour south of Perth, are currently being reviewed to determine if further reductions are needed. However, it implies that groundwater and shallow aquifer water are only available in places like Pinjarra and Nambeelup. Jane O'Malley, the CEO of Peel-Harvey Catchment...
Heading to net zero, Vedanta to power aluminium and copper operations with hybrid renewable energy
The Indian mining and metal giant Vedanta's board of directors has approved plans to source 91 MW of Hybrid Renewable Power, according to a regulatory filing. 50 MW will be used for aluminium operations, 16 MW for copper operations, and 25 MW for oil and gas operations across India. As a result, Vedanta will enter into Power Delivery Agreements (PDAs) through special purpose vehicles (SPVs) affiliated with Serentica Renewables India Private Limited (SRIPL). This company provides renewable energy based on solar, wind, and battery storage solutions. The decision, which is in line with Vedanta's ESG vision of "Transforming for Good", is the first in a series of steps the company will take to achieve its objectives of becoming "Net Zero Carbon by 2050 or sooner" and "using 2.5 GW of Round the...
