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.
India's leading quality solar PV module manufacturer plans to invest $600 million
On 26 th September 2022, the Managing Director of the Gujarat-India headquartered Goldi Solar, Ishver Dholakiya, said that India’s leading quality solar PV module manufacturer is planning to invest around $600 million (INR 5,000 crore) by 2025 to proliferate its module manufacturing capacity to 6 gigawatts. Dholakiya added, "At present, the total module manufacturing capacity of its plants in Pipodara and Navsari, Gujarat is 2.5 gigawatts (GW)." During the launch of HELOC Plus (high-efficiency low on carbon) module series with Heterojunction technology, the MD said, “We have plans to infuse over $600 million (INR 5,000 crore) as part of expansion plans to increase module manufacturing from 2.5 GW to 6 GW." “The expansion of the renewable energy business will be channelled into auxiliary...
EGA inks agreement to join UAE hydrogen leadership initiative in support of decarbonization efforts
The world's largest premium aluminium producer, Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), has joined the UAE hydrogen leadership initiative program by signing an agreement with the Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure. Launched last year during Cop26 in Glasgow, the initiative seeks to achieve the country's ambition to be a global leader in low-carbon hydrogen as global demand for clean fuel surges. On 26th September 2022, the Company said, "As a member, EGA will explore collaboration opportunities across industries and conduct further research and development into the future uses of hydrogen in decarbonization." Moreover, hydrogen will be explored in the processes of aluminium production and its local supply chain from a technical and economic perspective. Abdulnasser bin Kalban, the CEO of EGA,...
Wire additive manufacturing AML3D names Ryan Millar as its new CEO
Effective immediately, Ryan Millar will take over as CEO of large-format wire arc additive manufacturing company AML3D. Andy Sales will remain director of technology development as CTO. AML3D, which sells AM machines, equipment, and software and offers a bureau service, announced the appointment on the 26 th of September 2022, saying it aligned with its next growth phase. In addition, Sales will provide technical and engineering support to the sales and marketing teams and company partners as a "significant shareholder" and executive director. AML3D said, "Previously, Millar served as CEO of Environmental Earth Sciences International (EESI) with 18 years of executive leadership experience." Sales stated, “Bringing Ryan in as the new CEO also allows me to focus my strengths and efforts on...
Australia's largest aluminium smelter plans to fast-track its decarbonization drive
Tomago Aluminium, the largest aluminium smelter in Australia and New South Wales' biggest energy consumer, will speed up its decarbonisation drive and work with renewable energy producers to boost Hunter's clean energy transition. Developing opportunities for renewable power generation and energy storage projects in the region and beyond will be one of the company's priorities by 2029. The initiative will also significantly boost the construction and development of the A$100 billion Hunter Renewable Energy Zone. For the purpose of supporting its net-zero ambition and decarbonisation strategy, the company will solicit expressions of interest in developing, investing in, or procuring long-term traceable renewable energy or firm power generation projects. David Fallu, the Chairman of Tomago...
North American producers suffering from the unrestricted flow of Russian aluminium into the US: Jakob Stausholm, Rio Tinto
The chief executive of Rio Tinto, Jakob Stausholm, is concerned about the unshackled flow of Russian aluminium into the US, which is decreasing the competitiveness of North American producers. According to Stausholm, Russian aluminium imports remain exempt from US sanctions, whereas allies like Australia are still subject to Trump-era restrictions. Since taking the helm of Rio at the beginning of 2021, he has been extraordinarily outspoken about the aluminium industry. As the US trade data shows Russia was the third-largest aluminium exporter to the US in August, the warning from the head of one of the world's largest aluminium producers is timely. Even as worldwide buyers refused to purchase Russian metal due to Ukraine-Russia geopolitical crisis, Russian imports last month were up...
Bauxite and aluminium industry integration is underway in Ghana: Nana Akufo-Addo at UNGA
On 21 st September, the President of the West African nation Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo, declared during the 77 th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) that Ghana is developing an integrated bauxite and aluminium industry. He added that Ghana was refining its natural resources - especially gold- and processing more of its cocoa. The President also said Ghana is committed to exploiting its lithium deposits. "We are building an integrated bauxite and aluminium industry, an integrated iron and steel industry, and new oil refineries. We have already enticed six (6) of the biggest automobile manufacturers to set up assembly plants in Ghana before assembling and manufacturing them there," he stated. "Creating a single market is a key to achieving the country's industrialization...
'Mission Possible Partnership' decarbonization strategies hailed by global industry leaders
The Mission Possible Partnership (MPP) has attracted more than 200 industry leaders to support efforts to decarbonize some of the world's most challenging and carbon-intensive industries. More than 60 companies have endorsed new plans presented at New York Climate Week for producing near-zero emissions materials - aluminium, ammonia and steel, increasing the number of endorsements for MPP's Sector Transition Strategies (STS) that include aviation, shipping and trucking to over 200. Among the signatories are steelmakers Rio Tinto, ThyssenKrupp, Vale, ArcelorMittal, CSN, Liberty Steel, SSAB and Tata Steel. Other companies include aluminium manufacturers like EGA, Alcoa and Rio Tinto Aluminium, while ammonia producers CF Industries, BASF, SABIC and Yara, and renewable energy companies...
Thyssenkrupp Materials Services continues its expansion in Mexico to serve the aluminium and steel automotive component market
ThyssenKrupp Materials Services continues to expand in North America and plans to open a new facility for its Materials de Mexico division in San Luis Potosí. The company is investing around $37 million in a service centre in the city, which will support the future viability of the automotive supply industry, which is proliferating here. However, the new site will create jobs for around 65 employees. As a result of this step, the largest mill-independent materials distributor and service provider in the Western world strengthens its leading position in the North American market and aligns its service business with the evolving needs of its customers. Martin Stillger, the CEO of ThyssenKrupp Materials Services, said, "The needs and requirements of the industry are changing rapidly. Against...
Average daily volumes of aluminium futures surged 359% in Q3: CME Group Inc.
CME Group Inc., a futures exchange operator, said on 16 th September 2022 that aluminium futures volumes soared 359% in Q3 to date from Q1 and topped 6,709 contracts in the fourth quarter. A futures contract for aluminium is a standardized, exchange-traded contract in which the contract buyer agrees to take delivery of aluminium at a predetermined price from the seller on a future delivery date. CME Group Inc. is an American global markets company. It is the world's largest financial derivatives exchange and trades in asset classes that include agricultural products, currencies, energy, interest rates, metals, stock indexes and cryptocurrencies futures. The CME stated, "The top 25 aluminium futures volume days have all occurred since April, with nearly 150 new accounts trading since May."...
China's aluminium imports for August declined 19% Y-o-Y: Customs data
On 18th September 2022, the Chinese customs data revealed that China's aluminium imports in August 2022 descended 19% from the previous year's same period. The record rise in domestic production and limited export supply is the primary reason for this import dip. China stands as the world’s largest producer and consumer of aluminium. According to data from the General Administration of Customs, in August 2022, China procured 200,440 tonnes of unwrought aluminium and products, including primary metal and unwrought, alloyed aluminium. The drop in imports was attributed to this year's production ramp-up, which eased supply tensions at home. Imported materials have also been in high demand due to power restrictions. In August 2022, China produced a record 3.51 million tonnes of light metal,...
Vedanta mega aluminium park project’s SPV to be formed expeditiously
Following the announcement of Vedanta's new investment plan in Odisha for around $3 billion (INR 25000), the group is all set to build an aluminium park at Jharsuguda. An investment of $50 million (INR 400 crore) will create a special purpose vehicle (SPV) for the park's development. Initially approved by the State level single window clearance authority (SLSWCA) in 2010, the park project was held back due to land obstacles as most of the proposed land was a dense forest. According to our sources, the Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (Idco) had pinpointed an alternate site far off the dense forest at a distance of around five km from the aluminium smelter of Vedanta at Jharsuguda. However, Vedanta Limited has agreed to set up the park in the new location. The term...
European market uncertain about ordering aluminium for 2023: Ali Al-Baqali
Customers in Europe are hesitant to place orders for next year due to recession concerns, causing a decline in demand, as stated by Ali Al-Baqali, the Chief Executive of Aluminium Bahrain (Alba). Ali Al-Baqali commented on the sidelines of an aluminium conference in Barcelona, "The overall demand is lower... because people are hesitating to order." Aluminum Bahrain was the first aluminium smelter in the Middle East to begin commercial operations in 1971. Alba employs 84 per cent Bahraini nationals, and the company has introduced numerous capacity-building initiatives to increase its nationalization rate. "Many (European) customers have an order book, but they don't know when they will take the metal because they are afraid that if they book the full quantity, then the recession starts."...
EC energy measures are welcome but inadequate to save the aluminium industry survive winter: European Aluminium
The voice of the aluminium industry in Europe, European Aluminium, appraises the emergency measures proposed by the European Commission on the 14th of September and welcomes the first step to address the extremely high energy prices. However, the aluminium industry association signifies that these measures are insufficient and will not bail out the energy-intensive aluminium industry from further production cuts, job losses, and possibly a complete breakdown. These short-term measures aim to reduce electricity demand and redistribute financial resources to exposed consumers, such as energy-intensive industries like aluminium. European Aluminium stresses that while the proposed measures may provide some much-needed immediate relief, they do very little to reduce the excessive energy costs...
Novelis opens ‘Customer Solution Centre’ for automotive markets in Michigan
On 16th September 2022, the leader in sustainable aluminium solutions provider and world leader in aluminium rolling and recycling, Novelis Inc., observed the opening of its Customer Solution Centre (CSC) for automotive in Novi, Michigan, a suburb of Metro Detroit. The $35 million facility is part of Novelis' global network of CSCs, which are designed to speed the development of aluminium solutions through collaboration between the company and its customers and others in the value chain. Through the centres, Novelis partners with automakers and Tier 1 suppliers to maximize lightweight, high-strength aluminium in the next generation of vehicle design. Furthermore, Novelis operates automotive CSCs in Stuttgart, Germany, and Shanghai, China, to the facility in Novi. Philippe Meyer, Senior...
Russia-Ukraine's geopolitical crisis may enhance Egyptalum's financial performance
The largest aluminium producer in Egypt and one of the largest in Africa, Egyptalum expects strong business results in the coming period, taking advantage of several factors, whether on the global or local scene. Several factors are expected to contribute to Egyptalum's business results, whether global or local, over the coming period. The aluminium company of Egypt is expected to benefit directly from the rise of the US dollar price, in conjunction with the state's tendency to support the industrial sector, as well as the effects of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict on increasing aluminium demand worldwide, which would be an advantage to the company. As per our report, it has been confirmed that the Russian-Ukrainian conflict positively impacted Egyptalum’s business, which continues to...
Greek aluminium producer Elvalhalcor explores switching to LPG as a way to restrict energy bills
The Greek leader in aluminium and copper production, Elvalhalcor, is evaluating the changeover from fossil fuel (natural gas) to liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to help hinder its escalating power bill, as stated by the company on 14th September 2022. Spyros Kokkolis, the CFO, said, "Elvalhalcor has facilities in Greece, Bulgaria, Turkey, and the Netherlands and exports most of its products abroad. The company uses gas to melt aluminium and copper, among other activities." "We're examining the scenario of using LPG. However, it's a lengthy process, and it's not something we can do very soon", he added. “Depending on parts availability and installation time, it may take six months for a company to switch over.” In response to the Russia-Ukraine geopolitical, Western sanctions forced Russia...
Vedanta to infuse $3 billion in Odisha to expand its aluminium, ferrochrome and mining business
On 14 th September 2022, Anil Agarwal, the Chairman of Vedanta Resources stated that his company has new investments of more than USD$3 billion (INR 25,000 crore), as it has plans to expand its aluminium, ferrochrome, and mining businesses in Odisha. The founder of Vedanta Resources made this announcement while meeting, Naveen Patnaik, the Chief Minister of Odisha on the side-lines of the ‘Make in Odisha-2022’ roadshow in Mumbai. Anil Agarwal said, "We (Vedanta) stand testimony to what is possible if you Make it in Odisha. It is amongst the most favourable investment destinations in India, ably led by the stable governance, leadership, and vision of Naveen Patnaik, which is reflected in the state's Ease of Doing Business rankings.” According to the company, “With this quantum of...
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“The shift is happening in India, but globally aluminium is the standard for high-speed, semi-high speed and metro coaches”, Prithish Chowdhary, CMO, Titagarh Group
AlCircle had the opportunity to interview Mr Prithish Chowdhary, Chief Marketing Officer of Titagarh Group, and the discussion centered on manufacturing aluminium train coaches. AlCircle: Can you tell us about Titagarh's journey with its state-of-the-art manufacturing of aluminium coaches, which are used globally? Prithish Chowdhary: In order to properly answer the question, we need to tell a bit about the background, of where Titagarh actually started. So, when we started as a wagon manufacturer in 1997, our capacity was very minor, something about half a wagon per day at then and since then we managed to establish ourselves as the largest wagon manufacturer in the country. Because of these changes in the wagon industry in about 2007-2008 we acquired a factory in Hind Motor Complex,...
