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.
Rusal makes regular payments toward its tax bill, says Jamaica
The Jamaican Transport and Mines Minister, Audley Shaw stated that the Russian aluminium giant and one of the leading producers of aluminium in the world, Rusal has kept its commitment to payments to Jamaica as a part of a 2021 agreement to pay off production taxes it obliges to the government. The minister further added by saying “Rusal has so far paid about 45% of a $35 million bauxite production tax it owes Kingston. They are up to date with their payments and they have been consistent." “As part of the 2021 deal, Rusal paid the government 40% of the debt upfront last fall and then agreed to make 30 monthly payments starting in November 2021. They stuck to the deal.” The geopolitical tension has levied international sanctions on some Russian-based companies. However, Rusal does not...
Rheinmetall and its Chinese JV KPSNC win major order for transmission housings
The renowned development partner and direct supplier to the global automotive industry and a leading international systems provider for security technology, Rheinmetall jointly with its Chinese joint venture KPSNC, has bagged a major order for transmission housings from a world-leading producer of electric vehicles. Millions of transmission housings will be manufactured during the six-year contract. KPSNC, the joint venture of Rheinmetall and its Chinese partner HUAYU Automotive Systems Co Ltd (HASCO) operate in Shanghai and will produce the housings. However, the total order value is in the low three-digit million euro range. Exactly nine months after a recognizable American customer placed the order in March, serial production will start in the middle of 2022. This American company also...
Aluminium scrap exports by Estonia reached a record high during 2019-22
Aluminium is 100% recyclable and does not lose any of its properties or quality when it is recycled. Aluminium has been produced for over a century and is still in production today. Its recyclability plays a critical role in its success. Recovery and recycling have proven to be so valuable - both economically and ecologically - that the industry has grown and prospered. The services sector ranks as the largest in terms of its contribution to Estonia’s GDP. It majorly consists of shipping and transportation, telecommunications, electronics and banking sub-sectors. Other than UBC (Used Beverage Can), the shipping and electronics sector also generates some amount of aluminium scrap. Estonia, a modern market-based economy and one of the higher per capita income levels in Central Europe and...
Austria’s export of aluminium scrap during 2019-21 manifests sustainable growth; a 3% upswing estimated for 2022
The recycling of aluminium has significant positive effects on the economy and the environment. The metal has an infinite recyclable feature, which consumes up to 95% less energy to recycle than to produce primary aluminium rationally and it also limits emissions, including greenhouse gases. Furthermore, the augmented use of secondary aluminium in production reduces the extraction of bauxite. A highly developed industrialized nation, Austria’s service sector has played an important role in its economic contribution. The major industries are aluminium downstream, mechanical engineering and steel construction, chemicals, vehicle manufacturing and food and luxury commodities. Austria generates both fresh aluminium scrap and post-consumer scrap. The country located in the southern part of...
India: MSME sector applauds govt. for reducing duty on raw materials, advocates more for aluminium
On 22 nd May 2022, the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector players of India praised the government’s decision to lessen the duty on raw materials for steel and plastics in a way to reduce the prices. However, the sector owners stated that to ensure Indian exporters are not outbid by rivals on the international market and more efforts need to be made to ensure local supply chains remain competitive. “The government should have cut import duty on aluminium, primary steel, copper and plastics to nil, only then inflation could be contained in a meaningful way”, said Anil Bhardwaj, the Secretary-General of the Federation of Indian Micro and Small & Medium Enterprises (FISME). "The way duties have been reduced on petrol and diesel. There is a need to effect similar duty cuts on...
Downstream products weekly recap: Metal Exchange Corp acquires Medalco Metals; Constellium collaborates with Nikon's subsidiary for additive manufacturing development
The downstream aluminium segment has witnessed some key progress this week. St Louis, a US-based global family of companies focused on aluminium and other nonferrous materials, Metal Exchange Corporation acquires Medalco Metals, the full line distributor of Aluminum Flat-Rolled Products from foil to plate. On the way, Constellium allied with Nikon's subsidiary, Morf3D for additive manufacturing development using aluminium powder solution. Gränges herald a fire incident at under commissioning cold rolling mill in Konin, Poland. The global leader in the purchasing, processing and manufacturing of non-ferrous metals, Metal Exchange Corporation has made public that it has acquired Medalco Metals Inc., a US-based distributor of light gauge aluminium rolled products. To know more:...
TRA proposes to shield UK aluminium extrusion industry from Chinese imports
On 20th May 2022, the Trade Remedies Authority, the UK body that investigates whether trade remedy measures are needed to counter unfair import practices and unforeseen surges of imports, has proposed new measures for the UK aluminium extrusion industry to be protected from Chinese dumping. According to the TRA, these imports are dumping into the UK at unfair prices and injuring the industry. TRA's interim report, the Statement of Essential Facts, is now open for public comment. Upon considering these comments, the TRA will submit a final recommendation to the Secretary of State for International Trade, who will decide whether new trade remedies are required for these imports. In addition to components for heavy equipment, like mining and oil and gas pipelines, and chemical and refinery...
Arconic seeks to sell its Russian operations, $500 million loss count for exit
Arconic Inc., the spun off from the US aluminium giant Alcoa Corporation is seeking to sell its Russian business, as per the statement released by the company. The losses for the American industrial company, Arconic, specializing in lightweight metals engineering and manufacturing anticipated attaining $500 million in the proposal to exit the Russian market. Arconic Inc. said, "The Company undertook a thoughtful review of strategic alternatives given the limitations imposed on our operations by the Russian government and as a result of the ongoing legal dispute with the Russian Federal Antimonopoly Service.” After conducting this review, the board of directors has recommended that the company pursue the sale of its Samara, Russia facility under all applicable laws. Tim Myers, the CEO of...
IDRC dismisses RAKIA’s claim against India on the Bauxite Supply Agreement
The Andhra Pradesh state government has achieved a major victory against Ras-Al-Khaimah Investment Authority’s (RAKIA) $273 million damage claim by over cancellation of the Bauxite Supply Agreement (BSA) inked by AP Mineral Development Corporation in October 2008. RAKIA, Penna Group and the Andhra Pradesh government signed a memorandum of understanding in 2007 to supply bauxite ore to the alumina refinery at Makavarapalem near Visakhapatnam. However, according to the BSA undertakings, it was to supply 224 million tonnes from Jerrela Group of Mines located in the Chintapalli Reserve Forest. The agreement was discarded when the state government was replaced in April 2016 alleging irregularities in the allotment. A notice calling for arbitration was served citing violations of the UN-UAE...
Metal Exchange Corp acquires aluminium FRP full line distributor Medalco Metals
The global leader in the purchasing, processing and manufacturing of non-ferrous metals, Metal Exchange Corporation has made public that it has acquired Medalco Metals Inc., a US-based distributor of light gauge aluminium rolled products. Medalco, founded in 2003 has successfully positioned itself as a strategic partner serving a diverse customer base in the developing automotive, building and flex, and HVAC markets. However, following the competition of acquisition, Medalco will operate as a division of Metal Exchange Corporation. Dwight Klepacki and Larry Dansky, the co-owners of Medalco initiated considering potential buyers for their organization in early 2022. From the start, there was a strong cultural alignment with Metal Exchange – a factor both parties considered key to the...
Turkey’s aluminium scrap export during 2019-22 unveils an unsettling trend in the era of recycling
Aluminium is a highly recyclable metal that is extensively recycled globally. Recycling aluminium offers several benefits to the environment and economy. Many producers now have targets for increasing the use of secondary materials, since they can save both energy and costs. As per the data revealed, Turkey’s industrial production recorded an average line of 5.42% from 1986 until 2022, reaching an all-time high of 66% in April 2021 and a record low of -31.50% in April 2020, primarily due to the pandemic. However, Turkey’s aluminium scrap export data reveals an unsettled movement towards the export of aluminium scrap in a phase when recycling is industrially trending. The transcontinental country located mainly in Anatolia in Western Asia, Turkey exported 41,757 tonnes of aluminium scrap...
Constellium collaborates with Nikon's subsidiary for additive manufacturing development using aluminium powder solution
Constellium SE, the global sector leader that develops innovative, value-added aluminium products for a broad scope of markets and applications is coming to terms with Morf3D, a subsidiary of Nikon Corporation for an additive manufacturing development program using Aheadd CP1 aluminium powder, Constellium’s proprietary additive manufacturing (AM) powder solutions. Alireza Arbab, the Head of Additive Manufacturing for Constellium, “We are very excited to partner with Morf3D, a leading company in additive manufacturing, on the qualification and development of applications using our Aheadd® CP1 aluminium powder.” “Constellium recognized a gap in aluminium powder options for Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) and has developed new powders specifically for this AM process. We are confident that...
Aluminium packaging leader Ball Corp. signs VPPA to procure new wind energy in Texas
The American company headquartered in Colorado, Ball Corporation announced that it has inked a virtual power purchase agreement (VPPA) to procure 151 MW of wind energy from a new project in west Texas. The global leader in aluminium packaging Ball Corporation further added that upon purchase, NextEra Energy Resources LLC's subsidiary will own and operate the wind farm. This will enable Ball to meet the electricity needs of nearly half of its North American factories with its portion of the project. However, construction of the wind farm is in process, while the power supply is anticipated to commence in 2023. The global specialist in energy management and automation, Schneider Electric Energy advised Ball on the VPPA, whereas, Sustainability Services assisted the company in project...
Novelis releases its first Green Bond report securing $140 million for recycling capacity enhancement
The Atlanta, Georgia headquartered American industrial aluminium company Novelis Inc. on 16th May 2022 released its first Green Bond report. Novelis Inc., the leading sustainable aluminium solutions provider and world leader in rolled aluminium products issued a 500 million EUR (approximately $588 million) Green Bond in March 2021 to fund projects aligning with its environmental sustainability priorities. As of 31st March 2022, Novelis has allocated $140 million of the net proceeds of this issuance to finance new or existing projects to increase aluminium recycling capacity and reduce primary aluminium usage, including improvements at recycling facilities in the U.S., Brazil, South Korea and Germany. When accomplished, the Green Bond projects anticipated restraining carbon emissions by...
Netherlands export of aluminium bar rods and profiles during 2019-21 illustrates significant growth; marginal dip estimated for 2022
The Netherlands ranks as the 10 th leading exporter in the world with its foodstuffs sector is one of the country's largest industries, while other substantial industries include metallurgy, energy, chemical, trade, machinery, electrical goods and services, and tourism. Aluminium profiles are typically used in structural applications. Generally, there are three types of profiles according to their use: construction, architectural, and industrial. Aluminium bar rods find wide usage in many applications such as forging and rolling. The most competitive economy in Europe, the Netherlands and also it is the fourth in the world according to the World Economic Forum exported 329,926 tonnes of aluminium bar rods and profiles during 2019-2, attracting revenue earnings of around $1.12 billion from...
Alba inks agreement with Mitsubishi Power and SEPCO III to construct Block 4 at Power Station 5
The world's largest aluminium single-site smelter, Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba) is on course to start building its fourth additional block at Power Station Five. The above remarks were made by Shaikh Daij Bin Salman Bin Daij Al Khalifa, Chairman of Alba's Board of Directors, during the signing ceremony with Mitsubishi Power & SEPCO III consortium on 16 May 2022 at Al Oasis Hall in Alba. Counting 680.9 megawatts (MW) of Combined Cycle Gas Turbines at Alba, Mitsubishi Power, a power solutions brand of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd. (MHI), and SEPCO III consortium signed a full turnkey contract for the expansion on 16 th May. Mitsubishi Power Ltd. President and CEO Hideshi Kawamoto, Dr Javier Cavada, President of Mitsubishi Power Middle East and North Africa and GTCC Business Unit...
Australian shipbuilder RDM’s high-performance aluminium vessels in demand worldwide
Richardson Devine Marine Constructions (RDM) is one of Australia's most renowned aluminium shipbuilders, with a reputation for building a diverse range of craft. Commercial operators worldwide seek out its passenger ferries, luxurious overnight cruise vessels, and offshore workboats. Built to client specifications, they include the ever-popular MONA ferry, which is decked out as an "evil billionaire's lair" to transport visitors between Hobart and the Museum of Old and New Art. In 1989, Ron Devine and his business partner Toby Richardson initiated their business from a waterfront Hobart warehouse. They now work with a 55-strong team from a purpose-built shipyard within Tasmania's shipbuilding zone on the shores of Prince of Wales Bay. The 1500-square-metre construction facility lets RDM...
Italy's aluminium scrap import during 2019-22 excels with the rise in secondary production
Aluminium is an essential element of the ‘Green Economy’. In total, aluminium scrap had a global trade value of $11.2 billion, which placed it 283rd among the world's most traded products. Aluminium scrap ranks 796th in the Product Complexity Index (PCI). A nation with a diversified industrial economy, Italy imported 1.95 million tonnes of aluminium scrap during 2019-21, incurring a revenue outflow of $1.90 billion for the import. The ninth-largest economy in the world, Italy imported 655,934 tonnes of aluminium scrap in 2019, counting revenue expenditure of $506 million, whereas, in 2020 the import demonstrated a decline by 3.18%, as the import volume dropped to 635,061 tonnes, while expenditure excelled to $624 million. The production of secondary aluminium in Italy was recorded at...
