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.
International cola giant forecasts strong revenue growth eyeing sustainable demand
The carbonated soft drink manufacturer Coca-Cola announced that the company upraised its annual growth forecast as the demand for the colas escalates dynamically, notwithstanding the price surge to soften the jolt of higher costs for vital feeds like aluminium cans and corn sugar. Aluminium beverage cans are the most sustainable beverage packaging material. It is made from aluminium and has a higher recycling rate and more recycled content than competing package types. Furthermore, aluminium cans are lightweight, stackable and strong, allowing brands to package and transport more beverages using less material. However, the packaged food producers have so far witnessed the negligible impact of decades-high inflation on demand, particularly in the United States, as people prefer spending on...
Emeco announces agreement to sell surplus mining equipment
The leading mining solution provider in Australia, Emeco has sealed a deal for dispersal services with a renowned industrial asset disposition and management company. By the agreement, Emeco teams with the auctioneer to get competitive marketing and sales solutions regarding dispersing heavy earthmoving equipment. Emeco is one of Australia's most extensive, independent mining equipment rental companies with operations in all key mining regions of the country. With headquarters in Perth, Western Australia, Emeco provides tailored earthmoving equipment solutions to mining companies. In addition to its impressive rental fleet, Emeco has a network of maintenance and component rebuilding workshops across the country. Steve Crofts, the General Manager for Global Assets at Emeco, said, "The...
Lithuania reports escalated trend of aluminium scrap export during 2019-21; 5% growth predicted for 2022
Aluminium scrap is generally categorized as either "new scrap" from production processes or "old scrap" from post-consumer use. In manufacturing aluminium semi-fabricated and final products, new scrap is generated. Those products collected after consumers have disposed of them are considered old scrap. It is common for old scrap to be more contaminated than new scrap. Vehicles that have reached the end of their useful lives, demolished buildings and constructions, packaging materials that have been discarded, home and office appliances, as well as machinery equipment, can all provide old aluminium scrap. Following a 5.0% expansion in 2021, Lithuania's economy is expected to expand by 1.9% in 2022, a moderate increase over the 1.7% forecast in spring, resulting from a better-than-expected...
Italian government may invest in Titagarh Wagons' subsidiary Firema
The government of Italy is seeking to acquire a stake in an Indian company, Titagarh Wagons' wholly-owned arm Firema. Titagarh is in the business of manufacturing coaches for the Indian railway. According to our report, the Italian government investment promotion agency Invitalia might acquire a 20%-30% stake in Firema. The Covid pandemic has made the world manufacturing sector suffer in various ways. Titagarh is also on the same path of countering the Covid challenges and discussing with the Italian government for financial assistance as monetarily it is strained due to the pandemic. Umesh Chowdhary, the MD of Titagarh Wagons, said, "It is a breakthrough that the Italian government will pick up a stake, apart from a PE investor, in Firema." "The promoters will also infuse fresh capital....
Thyssenkrupp Aerospace extends contract with AMAG for aluminium premiums
AMAG Austria Metall AG and Thyssenkrupp Aerospace have been partners since the beginning of AMAG's aviation history. During the coming year, the strong cooperation will be extended for another six months through a new supply contract. Through AMAG, Thyssenkrupp Aerospace has secured the supply of premium aluminium for the coming year. Patrick Marous, the CEO of ThyssenKrupp Aerospace, said, "We are very pleased to have been able to conclude this contract as part of our long-term, strategic partnership with AMAG. In the current volatile market environment, our common goal is to support our customers as reliable partners. Long-term material supply is, therefore, an important part of our Materials as a Service strategy." Victor Breguncci, the Chief Sales Officer at AMAG Austria Metall AG,...
Sweden's import of aluminium scrap in 2019-21 represents a significant increase; 7% growth estimated for 2022
The use of aluminium has become increasingly popular as a new alternative to steel, especially in the production of electronics, parts for building, and even lids for jars. Aluminium is at the top of the recycling chain and can be recycled easily without compromising its durability or quality. In response, brands are switching from traditional metal packaging to aluminium. The Swedish economy is diverse and highly competitive. Among 63 economies in the IMD World Competitiveness Ranking 2022, Sweden ranked fourth, following Denmark, Switzerland, and Singapore. The Northern Europe nation, Sweden, known for its progressive politics, is home to a population of around 10 million. The Scandinavian country imported 250,193 tonnes of aluminium scrap during 2019-21, incurring outflow revenue...
GFG Alliance's £586 million deal demands transparency from Scottish ministers
The Scottish government ministers are under fire for lack of transparency after it alleged that metal tycoon Sanjeev Gupta is under investigation for deceit and paid only £5 towards acquiring a Highlands smelting plant, with taxpayers financing the rest of the £330 million deal. In 2016, the CEO and Chairman of GFG Alliance, Sanjeev Gupta, took possession of the Lochaber aluminium smelter and its two hydropower plants. The Scottish Government has guaranteed loans worth £586 million for the smelter and the hydropower plants. GFG Alliance is currently under investigation for alleged fraud and money laundering. In a recent move, the UK Government ceased guaranteeing £400 million of loans Greensill Capital made to Gupta's companies. It has been urged that the Scottish Government follow suit...
Exacerbating energy prices drive Romania's only alumina refinery into hibernation for 17 months
The Romanian aluminium giant Alro stated that the nation's sole alumina refinery, Alum, located in Tulcea, plans for a temporary production halt by putting the cause of 'prohibitive' energy prices. During its July 20 filing to the Bucharest Stock Exchange, the management proposed for approval by the general meeting of shareholders, which will take place on July 29, 2022, a temporary suspension of alumina production operations starting from August 1, 2022, for an estimated 17-month period. Gheorghe Dobra, the CEO of Vimetco and chairman of the board of directors at Alum, said, "The energy crisis has escalated the economic crisis generated by the pandemic from 2021 as a result of the accelerated increase of the electricity and natural gas prices with a negative impact on the production...
Rio Tinto inks MoU with Ford Motor for low carbon aluminium supply
A non-binding memorandum of understanding (MoU) is being signed between Ford Motor Company and Rio Tinto to jointly develop more sustainable and secure supply chains for batteries and low-carbon materials used in Ford vehicles. As part of the multi-material partnership, Ford, one of the world's largest automakers, will receive lithium, low-carbon aluminium, and copper. Rio Tinto is an international mining and metals company committed to helping customers decarbonize their value chains. The agreement undertakes Ford to explore becoming the foundation customer for Rio Tinto's Rincon lithium project in Argentina. Presently Rio Tinto is progressing through detailed planning to bring Rincon into production and will work with Ford toward a significant lithium off-take agreement to support its...
Novelis expands its evercycle™ portfolio to cosmetic packaging
On 20 th July 2022, the world leader in sustainable aluminium solutions and also the largest producer of aluminium rolling and recycling announced it is expanding its evercycle™ portfolio to the cosmetic packaging market. The evercycle™ cosmetics line is 100% certified to contain recycled aluminium and can meet any anodized quality requirement. The new alloy offers packaging customers in the beauty, skincare and wellness space an infinitely recyclable solution compared to plastic alternatives. Jami Chime, the Account Manager for Specialty Products at Novelis North America said, “With increasing consumer desire for more sustainable products, Novelis is proud to offer our customers a new packaging solution that is not only made from 100% recycled aluminium but one that can also be easily...
SRG Global wins $80 million mining contract in Australia
The leading drill and blast contractor serving the mining industry, SRG Global has fastened a noteworthy new contract from its existing Tier 1 client valued at around $80 million. The existing SRG’s agreement with South32 gets an extension for another two years for works at the Worsley Alumina’s bauxite and alumina refinery operations in WA. The contract underpins the work delivery of civil services for the uninterrupted up-gradation of its BRDA embankments as well as other civil and road maintenance services. However, the contract will initiate immediately and is anticipated to conclude in 2024. For works at Kwinana Bulk Jetty in Western Australia, Fremantle Ports has a contract with a two-year duration, with the option of an additional year. The work horizon incorporates the design,...
Aequs’ strategic alliance with an aluminium major strengthens one-stop solution for the aerospace sector
As part of an alliance, Aequs Pvt Ltd., a leading aerospace components manufacturer and Hindalco Industries, the world's largest integrated aluminium company, have sealed long-term collaborations and joint business development to strengthen the aerospace sector. For the development, manufacture, and qualification of extrusions required by commercial aerospace OEMs and other Aequs customers, the partnership leverages the capabilities, market presence, and industry knowledge of the respective parties. Aravind Melligeri, the Chairman & CEO of Aequs stated, “This strategic alliance marks a breakthrough for the Indian aerospace sector by further integrating the entire value chain to deliver 100% in-country value add. It creates strategic value for our customers by enhancing manufacturing...
Austria’s export of aluminium tubes and pipes during 2019-21 signifies remarkable growth; 2% dip predicted for 2022
Aluminium tubing is used in a wide range of industrial applications from consumer items to recreational merchandise to machine parts to automotive and manufacturing. Since aluminium weighs only one per cent of steel, it is appreciated by consumers for its strength. As a result of this versatile blend of strength and flexibility, aluminium tubing is used effectively in a variety of structures. Due to its lightweight, aluminium tubing can provide a greater volume of tubing per weight than steel tubing. Several products benefit from the use of lighter tubing material, particularly those needing a mobility degree such as wheelchairs and outdoor furnishings. Austria is one of the wealthiest countries in the world and its economy is forecasted to inflate by 3.6% in 2022 and 1.4% in 2023 though...
Israel-India aluminium-air battery JV plans trial run on a 50-seater electric bus ranging 500 km
Commercial vehicles that travel long routes perhaps have initiated electrifying modestly in a much slower manner than envisioned, due to certain challenges such as battery size, charging infrastructure and long charging times. In spite of the slow start, India is striving to lead the way in the adoption of electric vehicles, including two-wheelers, three-wheelers, and e-buses. It is interesting to note that India’s Indian Oil Corporation (IOCL) and Israel's Phinergy plan to commence their initial pilot of aluminium-air batteries soon. The Union Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas, Government of India, Hardeep Singh Puri, announced that an IOCL-Phinergy JV had manufactured 100 aluminium plates that will power a 50-seater bus for about 500 km. He said, “Big revolutions come in small...
Kazakhstan’s aluminium stranded wires import during 2019-21 demonstrates a steady growth; a marginal rise of 0.2% predicted for 2022
Aluminium wiring at home can be either solid or stranded. There is only one piece of wire in a solid aluminium wire, which is typically found on lower amperage (15A & 20A) 120V circuits. A stranded wire contains multiple wires that are bundled together to create a larger wire and are typically found on high-amperage circuits (>25A) in the home. Although solid wire isn't commonly used in residential construction anymore, stranded aluminium wire is quite common, and in fact, can be used safely in residential buildings if properly installed. Kazakhstan has come across an astonishing economic performance since its independence in 1991. As a result of structural reforms, abundant hydrocarbon resources, strong domestic demand, and foreign direct investment, the nation has experienced rapid...
AMAG's new Al4®ever product line ensures low carbon emissions and unchanged high quality
The AMAG Al4®ever rolled and cast aluminium products meet a specific footprint limit of less than four tonnes of CO2 per tonne of aluminium produced. For selected applications, the AMAG Al4®ever star product line guarantees a footprint of less than two tonnes of CO2 per tonne of aluminium produced. As a result, there is a significant reduction in CO2 emissions when compared to conventionally manufactured products. Al4®ever categories can only be achieved using high recycled content and hydroelectric power to produce primary aluminium. With AMAG's recycling expertise coupled with state-of-the-art electrolysis technologies, this can be ensured. AMAG is a world leader in aluminium recycling, with state-of-the-art production and environmental facilities in Ranshofen, and scrap input rates of...
Bulgaria's aluminium cans import during 2019-21 illustrates significant growth; 2.5% drop estimated for 2022
The most significant reason for the rapid growth of aluminium cans in the market is due to their extraordinary features of being strong, light in weight, highly resistant to corrosion, giving excellent barriers against air, light, & moisture and super-efficient to ship and store. Furthermore, beverage cans made of aluminium are infinitely recyclable. Aluminium cans chill quickly, provide a superior metal canvas for 360-degree labelling and perhaps most importantly preserve flavour and freshness. The Balkan nation, Bulgaria has experienced a significant transformation over the past three decades, as it has progressed from a highly centralized, planned economy to an open, market-based, upper-middle-income economy securely anchored in the European Union (EU). As per the census of 2022, the...
Rio Tinto declares an investment of US$188 million to scale up low-carbon aluminium billet production in Canada
The global metal and mining giant, Rio Tinto has announced that the group has decided in investing US$188 million (CA$240 million) to augment the production capacity for low-carbon, high-value aluminium billets at its Alma smelter in Lac-Saint-Jean, Quebec by 202,000 tonnes. The current casting centre at Rio Tinto's Alma facility will be expanded to accommodate new state-of-the-art equipment, counting a casting pit and furnaces, granting a larger portion of the aluminium produced to be recast to higher value billets. The construction will commence in May 2023, after completion of detailed engineering and preliminary work, while commissioning is anticipated during the first quarter of 2025. According to global market analysis and consultancy firm, the demand for aluminium extrusion...
