AlCircle News Edited By "Sarnali Chakraborty"
Sarnali Chakraborty is a content writer with 2 years of experience. She has written articles on various genres like technical, creative, medical, to name some. Here in Alcircle she will be curating articles on the metal industry, writing newsletters and other online and offline content.
Aluminium scrap imports in June augment by 23.67% M-o-M despite supply constraints in China
As of June 2022, 124,600 tonnes of aluminium scrap were imported, up by 23.67 per cent M-o-M and 220.3 per cent Y-o-Y, as said by the most recent statistical data. Since late June, the customs examination of imported aluminium scrap was loosened. In the first half of 2022, imports totalled 630,400 tonnes, up 55 per cent from the same period last year. Among them, imports for processing trade were 8,500 tonnes, 4,300 tonnes less than in May, mainly due to fewer products coming from the United States. In Guangdong province, imports with general commerce were recorded at 80,500 tonnes in June, accounting for 64.58 per cent of all imported scrap, and imports with processing trade were recorded at 6,200 tonnes, making up 7.12 per cent of the total. Zhejiang reported import volumes for general...
Gerald Bialek takes over as the new Executive Vice President of Century Aluminum
On Monday, August 1, Century Aluminum Company reported joining Gerald "Jerry" Bialek as its new Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Before joining Century Aluminum, he worked with Cooper Tire & Rubber Company as Chief Financial Officer, Vice President and Treasurer. Mr Bialek worked for 25 years in increasingly senior roles with Ford Motor Company, Amcor Rigid Plastics, and Johnson Controls before joining Cooper Tire in 2014. Here at Century Aluminum, Mr Bialek will start working on August 22, 2022, and will directly report to Jesse E. Gary, the company's Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Apart from this, Mr Bialek holds an M.B.A. degree from Oakland University and is a graduate of the University of Michigan. “Throughout his career, Jerry has demonstrated proficiency in...
Hydro’s NOK500 million investment at its Cressona extrusion facility may reduce carbon footprint by 5%
Aluminium as a metal is not just strong or sturdy but also holds the highest recyclability character. It can be recycled multiple times without losing its actual attributes. And a key part of Hydro's plan for a sustainable future is effectively recycling pre- and post-consumer aluminium scrap . With this, Hydro's latest investment of NOK 500 million in recycling at its Cressona, Pennsylvania, extrusion factory will make them one step closer to their goal. The investment will increase the facility's recycling capabilities, including re-melting and creating low-carbon aluminium products through extrusion billet casting. The project will increase Cressona's casting capacity by more than 50,000 tonnes and is anticipated to be completely operational in late 2024. The investment will help the...
China’s A00 aluminium ingot price plunges by RMB130/t; Low carbon aluminium price descends by RMB113/t
Following a hike for three consecutive days from July 27 to July 29, China’s A00 aluminium ingot price dropped on Monday and Tuesday. As of August 2, the primary aluminium ingot price declined further by RMB 130 per tonne to rest at RMB 18,170 per tonne. The average price for the same is expected to orbit between RMB 18,150 per tonne and RMB 18,190 per tonne, with spot contract likely to be traded at a discount price of RMB 40 per tonne and a premium price of RMB 0 per tonne. The primary aluminium ingot price has experienced a downfall in all the Chinese provinces, with the highest being at Linyi. The price in Linyi has plummeted by RMB 210 per tonne to close at RMB 18,170 per tonne, followed by the price in Shenyang, which has plunged by RMB 170 per tonne to halt at RMB 18,160 per tonne....
Hydro reports resumption of line 2 production at Albras, following power outrage earlier this year
As per the latest reports, on July 29, line 2 at Hydro's partially-owned aluminium facility in Brazil, Albras, was resumed fully. The production line was closed on February 19, 2022, due to an internal power distribution failure. A full closure of line 2 caused by the power outage resulted in a 25 per cent reduction in Albras' primary aluminium production. Albras has fully resumed production at the potline and is currently operating at its maximum annual capacity of 460,000 tonnes. The power distribution breakdown had affected only one potline at Albras, which caused it to shut down. Due to the outrage, the affected potline generated 110,000 tonnes of liquid aluminium yearly. Nippon Amazon Aluminium Co. Ltd. owns the remaining 49 per cent of Albras, with Norsk Hydro owning 51 per cent of...
Aluminium lattice screen in 3ASH House ensures privacy and solar shading
Aluminium serves as a tool for limitless creativity for architects. Buildings may be significantly more relaxed throughout the summer because aluminium reflects sunlight, which can lead to lower power expenses. It also has a very high strength-to-weight ratio, making it an excellent choice for building materials and showing how even a modest bit of aluminium can strengthen a building. Located in Singapore, the 3ASH House by Czarl Architects is a striking structure with a masculine appearance. Partially covered in a latticed aluminium screen, whose angular components contribute an uneven rhythm that quietly harmonises with its surroundings, the sprawling architecture has been created using natural materials. Latticework is an openwork structure made of crisscrossing strips of construction...
LME aluminium price drifts lower by US$6/t to US$2,452/t; SHFE price falls by US$48/t
LME aluminium opened at US$2,462 per tonne last Friday and closed at US$2,482.5 per tonne, an increase of US$17.5 per tonne or 0.71 per cent. After witnessing a hike the previous day, both LME aluminium cash bid price and LME aluminium official settlement price slumped by US$7 per tonne or 0.28 per cent and US$6 per tonne or 0.24 per cent on Friday, July 29. The price for the former closed at US$2,450 per tonne, while the latter stood at US$2,452 per tonne. 3-month bid price and 3-month offer price also declined by US$8 per tonne or 0.32 per cent to peg at US$2,437.50 per tonne and US$2,438 per tonne. December 23 bid price and December 23 offer price slipped by US$7 per tonne or 0.28 per cent to rest at US$2,478 per tonne and US$2,483 per tonne. LME aluminium opening stock halted at...
End user weekly recap: International cola giant forecasts strong revenue growth eyeing sustainable demand; Colep Packaging acquires a 40% stake in aerosol manufacturing firm ALM
From transport to automobiles to packaging, the use of aluminium is widespread and expanding with passing time. This week the end-user sector of the global aluminium industry recorded some significant changes. A swift change was witnessed, with companies shifting to aluminium for a more sustainable approach. As a result of the dynamic increase in demand for its products, Coca-Cola announced it would increase its annual growth projection despite price increases to cushion the impact of rising prices for key ingredients, including maize sugar and aluminium cans. Next in line is the news of Mawson's Traditional Soft Drinks shifting to aluminium cans under the company's direction to move toward sustainability. As per the information, it will now pack its sparkling soft drinks in 250ml...
Primary aluminium weekly recap: Tiwai Point aluminium smelter in talks with power companies to continue operations beyond 2024; GFG Alliance's £586 million deal demands transparency from Scottish ministers
Some of the important events spotted under the global primary aluminium segment are the news of the Tiwai Point aluminium smelter in talks with power companies to continue operations beyond 2024. The Tiwai Point aluminium smelter, which Rio Tinto and the Sumitomo Group control through the joint venture New Zealand Aluminium Smelters Limited (NZAS), has reportedly started talking with electricity providers. Next in line is the news of Scottish government officials being criticised for their lack of openness when it was claimed that metal tycoon Sanjeev Gupta, who is being investigated for fraud, contributed only $5 to the $330 million purchase of a smelting facility in the Highlands. Under the market segment, LME aluminium's official price opened the week with a decline of US$28.5 per...
Recycled aluminium weekly recap: BMW calls for 'Secondary First' to achieve climate neutrality; Cluj-Napoca lures public into aluminium or plastic waste collection in exchange of free bus tickets
The global aluminium recycled sector is one of the most important sectors of the metal industry. With carbon emission reduction or an eco-friendly environment being the need of the hour, top companies like Hydro, BMW, etc., are looking for ways to achieve the same. BMW Group, a German multinational automaker specialising in luxury automobiles, continues to adhere to its ardent sustainability goals and plans to reduce its carbon emissions by 40% per vehicle throughout the whole value chain by 2030, which corresponds to 2019. Next in line is the news of Hydro’s recent NOK 150 million ($15 million) investment in its Henderson facility in Kentucky underlines the need for the automotive sector to move toward a more environmentally friendly and sustainable future. The German multinational...
China’s aluminium billet inventories expand by 12,200 tonnes W-o-W to 107,600 tonnes
On Thursday, July 28, the aluminium billet inventory heightened by 12,200 tonnes from 95,400 tonnes recorded last week. The inventory as of Thursday, July 28, closed at 107,600 tonnes. As per the SMM data, the inventories in Foshan and Huzhou witnessed growth, whereas, on the other hand, inventories in Changzhou and Nanchang remained restrained. The figure below provides further information on the current state of aluminium billet inventories in China: The inventory in Foshan surged by 12,800 tonnes to rest at 66,000 tonnes, from 53,200 tonnes recorded last week. The same day, Huzhou recorded a W-o-W rise of 3,000 tonnes to settle at 19,000 tonnes. Due to the frequent arrival of cargos carried from Yunnan and the weak downstream demand, the stockpile in Foshan witnessed this increment. As...
Hydro’s investment of NOK150 million at Henderson factory to further boost recycled aluminium production
Hydro's recent investment of NOK 150 million ($15 million) into its Henderson factory in Kentucky highlights the urge of the automobile industry to shift towards a more sustainable and eco-friendly environment. This investment will strengthen Hydro's position as North America's top producer of low carbon and recycled aluminium while lowering the production's environmental effect. It will also enable the plant to produce industry-leading advanced alloys for automotive applications, including the advanced proprietary material, Hydro CIRCAL, providing a chance to supply Hydro's most forward-thinking, sustainability-focused clients with this cutting-edge product as the automotive industry in Kentucky grows. “At Hydro we want to accelerate the green transformation of the aluminium and...
A00 aluminium ingot price in China augments by RMB260/t; Low carbon aluminium price grows by RMB250/t
On Friday, July 29, China’s A00 aluminium ingot price has augmented by RMB 260 per tonne to settle at RMB 18,620 per tonne. The average price for the same is expected to orbit between RMB 18,600 per tonne and RMB 18,640 per tonne, with spot contracts to be traded at a discount price of RMB 50 to RMB 10 per tonne. A substantial increment has been observed in all the provinces in China, with Gongyi and Wuxi witnessing the highest increment by RMB 270 per tonne, to halt at RMB 18,520 per tonne and RMB 18,610 per tonne. The price in Hangzhou has also recorded the same hike to rest at RMB 18,650 per tonne. As per the SMM data, the price of Linyi has spiked by RMB 260 per tonne to score at RMB 18,620 per tonne. On the same day, the A00 aluminium ingot price in Shenyang and Chongqing has hiked...
Lotte Chemical teams up with Lotte Aluminium to build an anode facility in Kentucky
On Wednesday, July 27, Lotte Chemical announced its intention to construct an anode facility in Kentucky by 2025 under the joint venture between the former and Lotte Aluminium. A crucial component of electric vehicle (EV) batteries is anode foil. Lotte Chemical and Lotte Aluminium will each spend 330 billion won ($252 million) for the facility, with Lotte Chemical owning a 70 per cent stake and Lotte Aluminium holding the remaining 20 per cent. Because of rising interest in eco-friendly electric vehicles, battery consumption in the US is anticipated to soar. Lotte Chemical predicts that the demand for anode foil, one of the key components used in EV batteries, will rise by around 32 per cent by 2030 compared to this year. “We will spare no effort in technological development and support...
Press Metal Aluminium’s prospects to remain strong in the coming years, says RHB research
RHB research stated that, given the projected long-term demand for aluminium, Press Metal Aluminium Holdings Bhd's prospects are still strong. Press Metal will continue to gain from the Bakun Dam power purchase agreement with Sarawak Energy Bhd, which provides a long-term supply of energy at competitive rates. The research house team, which recently paid a visit to Press Metal's smelting facility in Bintulu, Sarawak, said that it had positive impressions of the company. The research team noted that Press Metal has a combined annual capacity of 1.08 million tonnes, thanks to a downstream extrusion operation that is connected with its Greenfield aluminium smelting operations in Mukah and Samalaju. The business also runs aluminium extrusion facilities in China and Malaysia. Press Metal's...
US monthly aluminium scrap imports from Canada plunge by 3.93% in April 2022
Aluminium is a highly durable metal that can be recycled repeatedly without losing any of its original value. Recycling aluminium conserves 95% of the energy required to produce the same quantity of aluminium from scratch. Compared to steel, the use of aluminium in multiple sectors is increasing rapidly. In response, companies are using aluminium packaging instead of conventional metal packaging. As per the latest USGS statistics, the United States imported 31,700 tonnes of aluminium scrap from Canada in April 2022, which tumbled down by 1,300 tonnes or 3.93 per cent M-o-M from 33,000 tonnes in March. On the other hand, in March, a M-o-M hike of 7,800 tonnes or 30.95 per cent was witnessed from 25,200 tonnes in February. In February, a major drop of 1,800 tonnes or 6.66 per cent was...
LME aluminium price closes 1.90% lower at US$2,390.50/t; SHFE price hikes by US$60/t
LME aluminium opened at US$2,423.5 per tonne on Wednesday and closed at US$2,426 per tonne, an increase of US$4 per tonne or 0.17 per cent. On Wednesday, July 27, LME aluminium cash bid price declined by US$45 per tonne or 1.84 per cent to settle at US$2,390 per tonne. On the same day, LME aluminium official settlement price also plunged by US$46.5 per tonne or 1.90 per cent to rest at US$2,390.50 per tonne. As per the LME data, 3-month bid price dropped by US$39.5 per tonne or 1.62 per cent to stand at US$2,385.50 per tonne. 3-month offer price plunged by US$40.5 per tonne or 1.66 per cent to halt at US$2,386.50 per tonne. Both December 23 bid price and December 23 offer price slumped by US$40 per tonne to peg at US$2,427 per tonne and US$2,432 per tonne. LME aluminium opening stock was...
V Global Manufacturing joins ASI as new Industrial User member
On Monday, July 25, Aluminium Stewardship Initiative announced the joining of V Global Manufacturing Limited as its new Industrial User Member. Situated in Chengdong Industrial Park in Dehua County, V Global Manufacturing Limited, is a foreign-owned business in Singapore with a registered capital of 150 million yuan and is invested by Meitu Aluminum Industry Co., Ltd. In addition to introducing cutting-edge automated manufacturing equipment from Germany, Switzerland, South Korea, and other nations, the firm, which specialises in the manufacture and processing of aluminium alloy profiles, also uses it. The production process is mostly automated. The primary regions of China where aluminium is produced provide the raw materials. The items are marketed as medium- and high-end curtain walls,...
