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.
Corrugated aluminium sheets will be vital in constructing the Russian Brest reactor's cooling tower
During the construction of the Brest-OD-300 nuclear reactor at the Siberian Chemical Combine in Seversk, the first level of an evaporative cooling tower has been installed by Rosatom State Nuclear Energy Corporation. The Proryv (Breakthrough) project is building a pilot demonstration power complex (ODEK) to demonstrate the power of nuclear energy. TVEL, Rosatom's fuel company, has completed the installation of metal structures for the first tier of the Brest reactor's evaporative cooling tower. A cooling tower that stands 80 metres tall and measures 79.5 metres in diameter at the base will be constructed using about 1,000 tons of metal structures. Installed on the foundation, the lower tier is being painted with an anti-corrosion coating. Corrugated aluminium sheets will then be layered...
Fourth integrated aluminium industry may emerge in India
Last week, Indian billionaire industrialist Gautam Adani-led Adani Group announced an investment proposal of around $5 billion to build an alumina refinery in the country. However, the Ahmedabad-based multinational conglomerate plans to construct more than just a giant alumina plant. Our report cites people familiar with the group who believe that Adani's current discussions with the Odisha government indicate the company is impassive about exploring aluminium production opportunities. The flagship company of Adani Group, Adani Enterprises, received approval from the Odisha state government to set up two projects, including a 4 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) integrated alumina refinery . Hemant Sharma, the Principal Secretary Industries Department, Odisha, said negotiations with the...
Tomago Aluminium under govt. lens for industrial pollution
The Hunter region in Australia is one of New South Wales' most popular destinations, where the aluminium smelting industry is under scrutiny as part of a Government's effort to cut greenhouse gases. The nation's largest Tomago Aluminium Smelter consumes around 11 per cent of the total energy production of NSW. However, the uppermost 200 in the country roots in about 28 per cent of Australia's greenhouse gas emissions. Chris Bowen, the Energy Minister, will commence discussions with all industrial polluters to bolster a "safeguard mechanism" policy, by which businesses would decarbonize or purchase carbon credits to offset their emissions. Based on feedback from those businesses, the Federal Government will design the mechanism. The Australian multinational mining and metal giant BHP,...
Volkswagen Slovakia will become the first VW Group brand to go carbon neutral
Volkswagen Slovakia is the foremost brand in the Volkswagen Group to go carbon neutral, as the group initiated the program to be a zero carbon emitting company. They have decided to be a carbon neutral company by 2050. This program is called Way to Zero. The VW Group has enormous plans for its future. They are steadfast in the manufacturing of electric vehicles on a wide range with a vision to become the largest electric vehicle producer. Down the line with this objective, Volkswagen is on the path toward carbon neutrality by 2050. These massive actions and programs by VW Group are turning them into a more vital organization for the future. The automotive industry's future will, however, be determined by the big companies current operations, so they must take stricter and more immediate...
Rusal adopts its first corporate biodiversity conservation policy
In an effort to conserve biodiversity, RUSAL, one of the world's eminent aluminium producers, approved its first corporate policy. Rusal biodiversity conservation policy emphasizes the importance of conserving biological species, especially those under protection and their habitats. The new policy introduces a risk-based approach, where risk assessment is mandatory to preserve biodiversity when planning and implementing operational activities. As part of the policy, the Company will assess how well its efforts affect ecosystem services, i.e. the benefits humanity derives from a healthy environment and functioning ecosystems. Responsible management of biodiversity is at the heart of the policy. Rusal's forestry projects, for example, have already positively impacted environmental, social...
Secondary aluminium producer Imperial Aluminium scans for industrial site expansion
Imperial Aluminium's anticipated expansion at a former industrial site on Bridge Street is being hampered by asbestos and lead contamination. Imperial Aluminum produces secondary aluminium alloys with facilities to service the Southeast and Midwest. As part of Imperial Aluminium's plans to raze portions of the structure, lead and asbestos must be removed from the former Kepcor/Structural Stoneware building. In order to pay for the cleanup, the company is seeking $105,000 in state grant funding from Carroll County commissioners. Commissioner Christopher Modranski said, "I think they have some lead-based caulking and some asbestos. They have to do some cleanup before they can utilize the property. The grant will allow them to hire a contractor to remove hazardous material." The recycler of...
Wind farms might keep the Tiwai Point aluminium smelter operational after 2024
Mike Fuge, the CEO of Contact Energy, New Zealand's largest electricity provider, predicts that Rio Tinto's Tiwai Point aluminium smelter might remain open beyond 2024 with investments in wind farms on the lower South Island. The wind energy resource at the country's South Island is presently largely unexplored, as the wind farms predominance is moreover at the lower North Island. On 15th August 2021, while communicating following the company's annual result, where Contact Energy also declared an investment of $300 million in a new geothermal plant, the CEO said, "The undeveloped wind resource in Southland and Otago had been conservatively estimated at between 3 and 5 terawatt-hours (TWh) a year." "All of that could come into play if the smelter stayed open. The country's total...
Chalco among five Chinese state-owned firms under scrutiny in US to delist from NYSE
New York Stock Exchange-listed Chinese state-owned companies whose audits are being scrutinized by the US securities regulator are delisting voluntarily. The Aluminum Corporation of China (Chalco), the oil giant Sinopec, China Life Insurance, PetroChina, and Sinopec Shanghai Petrochemical Co have announced they will delist their American Depository Shares this month. However, they will keep their listings in Hong Kong and mainland China. Chalco is a leading company in the Chinese non-ferrous industry sector, with a strong portfolio of assets among global competitors. It is the world's largest alumina producer and one of the leading aluminium producers by volume, with mining operations in bauxite and coal. The US Securities and Exchange Commission flagged the five companies and many others...
Mahindra to launch Scorpio Classic with all-aluminium engine block sheds 55 kg
Mahindra Group, an Indian billion-dollar enterprise, is launching a new version of its flagship Scorpio Classic with an all-aluminium engine block that weighs 55 kg less than its predecessor. As a result of the weight shedding and other advancements, the Scorpio Classic now offers 14% better fuel efficiency than before. Furthermore, Mahindra revealed that from 1000rpm onwards, the Scorpio Classic delivers 230Nm of torque or 77% of its peak torque output. The main advantage of aluminium engine blocks over iron is their weight. An aluminium block weighs about half as much as an iron block. This allows the manufacturer to distribute weight more evenly within the car, therefore taking pressure off the nose. The aluminium engine block is lighter, easier to repair, and less prone to...
Bharat Forge posts a net profit of $20 million in Q1 FY23 despite underperformance from the North American aluminium forging facility
On 11th August 2022, during a regulatory filing, Bharat Forge, the Indian multinational auto component manufacturer, reported a consolidated net profit of INR 160.37 crore ($20.12 million) for Q1 FY23. However, the company posted a consolidated net profit of (INR 152.75 crore ($19.16 million) in the same quarter previous fiscal. Moreover, the consolidated revenue from operations during the period under review was 2,851.46 crores, compared to 2,107.68 crores a year ago. Under review, it generated consolidated revenue of Rs 2,851.46 crore. During the year-ago period, it was Rs 2,107.68 crore. Bharat Forge aligned the accounting periods of all subsidiaries, associates, and joint ventures to make the group's operating performance more transparent. BN Kalyani, the Chairman and Managing...
Greenko to develop green energy facility for an aluminium smelter in India
The most significant clean energy company in India, delivering 17 billion units, Greenko Group, and one of the world's aluminium producers Hindalco Industries, have agreed to build a green energy project in Odisha with a capacity of 375 MW-400 MW. On 11th August 2022, Greenko stated that the project would institute wind and solar capacity and supply power to Hindalco's aluminium smelter in Odisha. "Hindalco Industries Limited and Greenko Energies Private Limited have entered into a commercial arrangement to set up a renewable energy (RE) project to supply 100 MW round-the-clock carbon-free power. The arrangement covers the development of 375-400 MW of solar and wind capacity," Greenko added. "As part of the agreement, we will design, construct, partly own and operate the solar and wind...
South Korean automotive giant to invest in Indonesian aluminium smelter project
The company engaged in the mining and trading metallurgical coal, PT Adaro Minerals Indonesia Tbk (ADMR) stock value zoomed on 11th August 2022, after reportedly the news floated the possibility of investment from the giant South Korean automotive company, Hyundai. Citing data from the Indonesia Stock Exchange, ADMR's shares rose 4.27 per cent or 70 points to 1,710. Throughout 2022, the issuer, just listed on the stock exchange on 3rd January 2022, has recorded growth of up to 1,600 per cent. Share prices of the company increased after it reported that Hyundai, a leading automotive company from South Korea, was planning to invest in a Greenfield aluminium smelter project in Indonesia. Garibaldi Thohir serves as Chairman of the Green Industrial Estate Consortium, building the industrial...
Adani Group to invest $5 billion in Odisha to set up an alumina refinery
The Indian multinational conglomerate, Adani Group, which already operates ports, airstrips, mining development and gas distribution businesses in Odisha, has received approval from the state government for building an alumina refinery. As a result of the high-level clearance authority (HLCA) led by chief minister Naveen Patnaik's approval, the ten proposals are set to generate about 24,047 jobs with an investment potential of $9.39 billion (INR 74,620 crores). For the state government, the approval came months before the third edition of the Make in Odisha conclave. Adani Enterprises, a wholly owned subsidiary of Adani Group, has received approval to build a 4 MTPA alumina refinery and 175 MW captive power station in the bauxite-rich Kashipur area of the Rayagada district. Odisha will...
William B. Shannon joins Gränges as Senior Vice President, Global Battery Foil Program
Gränges, the aluminium technology company, has appointed William B. Shannon as the Senior Vice President for Gränges' Global Battery Foil Program. Bill Shannon is the COO of the New York-based Li-Ion battery cell producer iM3NY. As a battery industry veteran with over 30 years of experience, he will be essential to Gränges' expansion into this sector. Shannon graduated from Eastern Connecticut State University with a Bachelor of Business Administration and Management degree. He held senior positions at Heitkamp & Thumann Group and Duracell before joining iM3NY. Jörgen Rosengren, the President and CEO of Gränges, said, "Gränges is currently expanding in materials for the battery industry, as part of our Sustainable Growth strategy. I couldn't be more pleased to announce the recruitment of...
Reverse vending solution provider unveils world's smallest machine
The world's leading provider of reverse vending solutions, TOMRA Collection has landed with the market's smallest three-material reverse vending machine, TOMRA M1, lined up to deliver a plug-and-play solution that empowers smaller retailers to partake in deposit return schemes (DRS). According to the technology-led solutions provider that enables the circular economy with the advanced collection and sorting systems, the stand-alone reverse vending machine necessities just 0.62 square metres of floor space while measuring 98cm wide and 63cm deep and standing at 165cm tall. Furthermore, the TOMRA-created reverse vending machine can apprehend aluminium beverage cans and glass and plastic bottles. The device can reportedly store up to 550 cans, 270 PET bottles and 80 uncrushed glass bottles....
Matt Rohm to serve as President and COO of Metal Exchange Corp
The family-owned company focused on aluminium and other nonferrous materials, Metal Exchange Corporation has elevated Matt Rohm has been promoted to the position of President and Chief Operating Officer of the enterprise, reporting to Rick Merluzzi, Chief Executive Officer of Metal Exchange Corporation. Rohm will oversee all divisions and operating companies within the Metal Exchange Group (Trading, Cast Products and Extruded Products) and all corporate services in his new role. However, before joining Metal Exchange as Chief Financial Officer in 2016, Rohm accrued over 20 years of financial leadership experience, having served in positions with The Boeing Company, Anheuser-Busch InBev, Energizer and SunEdison. Furthermore, Rohm holds a Bachelor of Science degree in industrial engineering...
Indonesian President opens the largest port in West Kalimantan, bauxite and alumina sector will gain support
On 9th August 2022, the President of Indonesia, Joko Widodo, inaugurated the Kijing Terminal at the port of Pontianak in Mempawah Regency, West Kalimantan province. In addition to crude palm oil (CPO), alumina, bauxite, and other commodities, the region has great potential. The President said, "The built port terminal has checked its feasibility study and the need for containers and non-containers or bulk, liquid bulk. Everything has excellent potential in West Kalimantan Province, whether related to bauxite, alumina, crude palm oil or many others. Additionally, the Pontianak Port is believed to support the government's ongoing downstream and industrialization efforts. As a result of downstream industry, the government will get multiple added values in income and job creation. The port...
India’s Nalco reports 61% leap in net profit for FY23
The Indian state-owned integrated aluminium company National Aluminium Company (Nalco) has reported a 60.6 per cent rise in consolidated net profit to around $70 million (INR 557.91 crore) on a 52.9 per cent increase in net sales to $475.33 million (INR 3783.32 crore) in Q1 FY23 over Q1 FY22. In a regulatory filing, the public sector company had posted a consolidated profit of $43.64 million (INR 347.48 crore) in the year-ago phase. The segmental revenue from Chemicals was $43.60 million (INR1,199 crore), an increase of 12.3% year-over-year, while aluminium revenue was $374.18 million (INR2,980 crore), an increase of 71.5% year-over-year. Total expenditure soared by 55 per cent Y-o-Y to $368.58 million (INR 2935.38 crore) during the quarter due to sharp rises in raw material costs (up...
