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.
Hindalco's alumina production grows by 20% in FY22 following a capacity expansion at its Utkal refinery
As a result of increased capacity at the Utkal alumina refinery in India's eastern state of Odisha, Hindalco Industries has increased its alumina output by 20% for FY22. On 16th September 2021, Naveen Patnaik, the Chief Minister of Odisha virtually inaugurated Utkal Alumina refinery’s expansion of production capacity from 1.5 MTPA to 2 MTPA. Hindalco’s alumina sales in FY22 stood at 359,000 tonnes, while its production was recorded at 3.24 million tonnes. The company said, “Hindalco aims to sell about 400,000t of alumina in the current fiscal year ending March 2023”. Hindalco's alumina refineries are located in Utkal, Renukoot, Muri, and Belagavi. This alumina is primarily used within the company for aluminium production. From April 2021 to March 2022, the aluminium production of the...
UK’s import of aluminium stranded wire during 2019-22 signifies continuous growth
Aluminium wiring in homes is available in two styles: solid and stranded. A solid wire consists of a single conductor and is typically found in 120V circuits that are lower amperages (20A & 15A). Stranded wires are multiple pieces of wire bundled together to form one larger wire, and they are commonly used in homes with higher amperage circuits (>25A). Although solid wire is rarely used in residential construction nowadays, stranded aluminium wire is quite common, and when installed properly, it is considered a safe material for residential use. The United Kingdom, one of the leading economies of the world imported 12,579 tonnes of aluminium stranded wires during 2019-21, incurring revenue expenditure of $36.74 million for the import. In 2019, the UK reported importing 2438 tonnes of...
International Aluminium Institute appoints Hindalco’s Satish Pai as new Board Chairman
The only body representing the global primary aluminium industry, International Aluminium Institute (IAI), has publicised the appointment of Satish Pai as its new Chairman. Satish Pai is the Managing Director of Hindalco Industries, one of the world’s largest integrated aluminium producers. Previously he was serving as the Vice-Chairman and he succeeds Ben Kahrs, Alcoa Corp’s Chief Innovation Officer. The Secretary-General of IAI, Miles Prosser said “Satish is an exceptional leader who is as familiar with boots-on-ground issues as he is with geo-economic perspectives. He is well able to convert industry challenges into opportunities – strategic R&D led to Hindalco becoming the first aluminium company to achieve 100% utilisation of bauxite residue in three of the refineries.” “We welcome...
Alumina weekly recap: Hydro Rein and GIG join to initiate wind and solar plant for serving Alunorte alumina refinery with sustainable energy; Ma'aden seals an agreement with GlassPoint to build the world's largest solar-powered steam plant to decarbonize its alumina refinery
The renewable energy solutions provider, Hydro Rein and Macquarie Asset Management’s Green Investment Group (GIG), a specialist green investor, agreed to form a joint venture named Feijão, which will operate after constructing a combined wind and solar power project, with a 586-megawatt capacity, in northeast Brazil. This action will replace coal as the main power source in the Alunorte alumina refinery. While in the Middle, Ma’aden’s agreement with GlassPoint reveals that the development of the world’s largest solar-powered steam plant at Ma’aden’s alumina refinery following its accomplishment will generate a 1500 MW solar steam facility to support the refinery diminishing carbon emissions by over 600,000 tonnes per annum. Hydro Rein, a renewable energy solutions provider, and Macquarie...
World Environment Day: AlCircle pledges to ‘Make The Planet Green’
The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) led World Environment Day is celebrated on 5th June every year to raise awareness about deteriorating environmental conditions and encourage people globally to act responsibly, helping to build a better future. Humanity's progress during the last century was accompanied by a massive expansion of natural resource extraction. With each passing decade, environmental issues have only become more serious, from climate change to mineral exploration to marine pollution to extinction of flora and fauna. The United Nations General Assembly declared 5th June as World Environment Day for the first time in 1972, and since then it has been celebrated annually as World Environment Day around the world. The Stockholm Conference of 1972 turns 50 in 2022....
Ma'aden seals an agreement with GlassPoint to build the world's largest solar powered steam plant to decarbonize its alumina refinery
The Saudi Arabia state-owned mining company headquartered in Riyadh, Ma'aden has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with GlassPoint, the leading manufacturer of industrial solar steam generators using solar thermal technology to generate steam for industrial processes. The signed agreement reveals that the development of the world’s largest solar process steam plant at Ma’aden’s alumina refinery following its accomplishment will generate a 1500 MW solar steam facility to support the refinery diminishing carbon emissions by over 600,000 tonnes per annum. Approximately 50% of the emissions in MA'ADEN's alumina refinery and 4% of its overall emissions will be reduced. Founder and CEO of GlassPoint, Dr Rod MacGregor, senior vice president of MA'ADEN's aluminium division and Riyadh Al...
Myanmar's aluminium foil importation during 2019-22 indicates a volatile market
A key geostrategic location, abundant natural resources, a young population, and a vital geopolitical position make Myanmar one of the fastest-growing economies in the Asia Pacific. The principal industries contributing to Myanmar’s economy are agriculture, mining and tourism. Aluminium foil is used at home for perishable foods and dairy products also for longer storage, to cover baking surfaces and to wrap foods, such as meats, to prevent them from losing moisture while cooking. The usage is not limited to food only; it can also be used to put on windows to keep the house cool during summer and hot during winter. The Southeast Asian nation, Myanmar imported aluminium foil of around 12,466 tonnes of aluminium foil during 2019-21, incurring revenue expenditure of $28.83 million for the...
'Aluminium du Maroc' reports an upswing of 72% in turnover for Q1 2022
On 1 st June 2022, the first Moroccan company specialising in the manufacture of aluminium alloy profiles Aluminium du Maroc reported a turnover of DH 213 million for Q1 2022, a sharp rise of 72% when compared to Q-o-Q for the same phase in 2021 Founded in 1976, Aluminium du Maroc exemplified that this growth is due to a 16% enhancement in sales volumes of aluminium profiles, especially for the export of +57% and by +32% appreciation of selling prices over the period. However, the latter relatively captivated the surge in production costs, primarily the metal and energy and also extended to the transport cost. The company stated, “Investments over the period reached DH2.3 million, stable compared to the same period in 2021. Investments for projects are planned for the second half of...
South32 successfully acquires additional shareholdings in Mozal Aluminium
On 1 st June 2022, the globally renowned diversified mining and metals company, South32 Limited announced that it has completed the acquisition of an additional 16.6% shareholding and related rights in Maputo, Mozambique based Mozal Aluminium from MCA Metals Holding GmbH (Mitsubishi). The final cash consideration of US$2002 million illustrates elevated cash and working capital adjustments at the acquisition date as the business pursues to benefit from strong aluminium prices. Following accomplishment, South32’s stakeholding in Mozal Aluminium will augment to 63.7%, with its equity share of aluminium production now anticipated to be 281kt for FY22e and 370kt for FY23e. Graham Kerr, the CEO of South32 said: "Our acquisition of an additional interest in Mozal Aluminium is another major...
Bauxite kingdom Guinea gets new LNG infrastructure to develop its mining sector
The world’s largest bauxite exporter and with huge reserves of other minerals, Guinea has made public the infrastructure development of a $300 million phased Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) provision and distribution network which incorporates a full-service LNG receiving terminal, a liquefaction plant and an export terminal. The large-scale project, classified the Guinea LNG Project, will be positioned at the Port of Kamsar on the northeastern coast of Guinea and is being unfolded by the West Africa LNG Group – a comprehensive natural gas-based fuels products and services company specializing in customized turnkey solutions for its customers and a purpose-built corporate entity by a development firm, AfricaGlobal Schaffer (AfGS). As a result of new government-led incentives, the move aims to...
Hungary experienced enterprising growth in aluminium scrap import during 2019-21 driven by a favourable domestic recycling market
The usage of recycled aluminium has also entered our daily lives through beverage cans and electronic gadgets like iPad. Companies like Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, and Apple are now using used aluminium in their products as a way to demonstrate their commitment to green manufacturing. As a result, consumers should be able to lead their life knowing their gleaming new purchase has done some good for the environment. Aluminium recycling is gaining momentum in Hungary, as lately Hydro built a new recycling facility in Szekesfehervar and Hungary-based Audi Hungaria Zrt operation is focusing on its own aluminium scrap in regards to reducing emissions and a step further to green. Hungary with a Human Development Index (HDI) of 0.854, counts as one of the highly developed economies by UN definition,...
Indian Railways’ Northeast Frontier zone introduces new rakes with aluminium interiors to ensure safety and comfort
As a major step to enhance passenger safety and comfort, Indian Railways' Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) zone has switched from traditional rakes to LHB rake designs in order to revamp passenger safety and comfort. The Linke Hofmann Busch (LHB) coaches are the passenger coaches of Indian Railways that were developed by Linke-Hofmann-Busch of Germany and mostly produced by Rail Coach Factory in Kapurthala, India. The Indian Railways also stated once that the LHB coaches are manufactured with anti-collision technology which causes less fatality during accidents. However, these coaches are made of light-weight, low corrosive stainless steel and have higher carrying capacity, speed potential, and better safety features as compared to ICF coaches. Aluminium is used for interiors, making the...
Alba expands its presence in the Asia-Pacific region with a new sales office in Singapore
On 27 th May 2022, the first aluminium smelter in the Middle East, Aluminium Bahrain (Alba), as a part of the effort to increase its presence in the Asian-Pacific market, opened a sales office in Singapore. An official inauguration took place for the new sales office and was done by the Chairman of Alba’s Board of Directors, Shaikh Daij bin Salman bin Daij Al Khalifa, during a ceremony that was held in the presence of Alba’s Chief Executive Officer, Ali Al Baqali, as well as its Chief Marketing Officer, Khalid A. Latif, and Director Marketing MEA – Asia, Hisham Al Kooheji as well as VAP Marketing Manager Shoji Takeuchi who looks after the operations of the Singaporean office. Shaikh Daij bin Salman bin Daij Al Khalifa, while speaking at this event said, “Our expansion into Singapore marks...
Argentina's aluminium cans export during 2019-22 continue to gain momentum
Traditionally, aluminium cans have been used for beverages, but cans are also popular for storing food, oils, chemicals, and other liquids. In addition to being more malleable and lighter than steel cans (aluminium is one-third as heavy as steel), aluminium cans don't rust or corrode. In Argentina, the major industries consist of food processing and beverage, automobile production, textile production, energy production, and mining. The growth in the Argentine beverage sector has also given the cans manufacturing segment a push, which has witnessed a rise in the export demand also. The eighth-largest country in the world, Argentina exported 4880 tonnes of aluminium cans in 2019-21, attracting a revenue inflow of around $32.76 million from the export. In 2019, Argentina recorded 1178 tonnes...
Trafigura joins FMC as a founding member of the group's new aluminium division
On 25 th May 2022, the leader in the global commodity sector, Trafigura Group Pte Ltd. adhered as a founding member of the First Movers Coalition, which is led by the World Economic Forum and the US government, the First Movers Coalition (FMC) aims the heavy industry and long-distance transport sectors responsible for 30% of global emissions – a proportion expected to inflate to over 50% by mid-century without urgent progress on clean technology innovation. However, the announcement of a vital expansion of the First Movers Coalition was compelled by John Kerry, the US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate alongside Bill Gates, the founder of Breakthrough Energy, at a press briefing hosted by the World Economic Forum at its Annual Meeting 2022. The US President Biden launched the...
Chinese recycling company halts operation in Pakistan’s Gwadar city
HK Sons, a Chinese firm in the business of aluminium, copper and iron exporting to china’s capital city, Beijing has terminated functionalizing in Gwadar city of Pakistan. It is reported that H K Sons is one of the leading investors in Pakistan’s Gwadar city located on the southwestern coast of Balochistan. Recycling is the process of collecting and processing materials that would have been thrown away as trash, while converting them into fresh products. The company in the recycling business also imports machinery from Europe and other international nations for various projects. As per our report, the company was working on four projects in Balochistan where it recycles aluminium among other commodities like copper and plastic, while later on, the company exported the recycled products to...
Indonesia’s decision to ban bauxite export won’t create any panic situation in China: Industry experts
According to the aluminium industry experts, Indonesia's decision to ban sending out bauxite, an essential input for aluminium, will have no genuine effect on the Chinese aluminium sector, as aluminium producers have expanded their sources and fortified the utilization of aluminium recycling. Bahlil Lahadalia, the Minister of Investment/Chairman of Indonesia Investment Coordinating Board lately said, “The government would ban exports of bauxite this year to support the development of the downstream mining industry. The minister did not give an exact time for the ban to take effect.” The communication apprehended the consideration of the industry precisely for the potential interruptions in China's aluminium supply, particularly for a few downstream businesses such as electric vehicles and...
Hydro possible to close down Slovalco aluminium smelter without government's carbon scheme assistance
The Norwegian aluminium company, Norsk Hydro has stated by delivering a statement that there is a possibility to shut down its majority-owned aluminium smelter in Slovakia without the government in the nation coming out to support financially through the carbon compensation scheme. The Slovalco aluminium smelter is 55.3% owned by Norsk Hydro and the remaining 44.7% is held by Penta Investments Group, with the capacity to produce 175,000 tonnes per year of aluminium already operating only at a 60% capacity of 105,000 tonnes. Due to record high electricity prices, aluminium smelters in Europe have reduced production by 800,000 to 900,000 tons annually in recent months. As a result, the transport, packaging, and construction industries have experienced deficits and higher prices for...
