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.
Joint effort by Chinalco Institute of Materials and Southwest Aluminum enables localised production of 6XXX aluminium alloy sheet
Chinalco Institute of Materials and Southwest Aluminum have collaboratively developed a novel 6XXX aluminium alloy sheet. This new sheet, designed for automobile panels, features exceptional formability and superior surface quality. The 6XXX aluminium alloy sheet has passed batch verification for use in automobile tail cover inner panels and door inner panels by a leading Shanghai-based automotive manufacturer. This marks the beginning of its supply, paving the way for localised production of 6XXX aluminium alloy for panel inner panels. About the collaboration The Chinalco Institute of Materials and Southwest Aluminum have collaborated to address key challenges and successfully developed a high-formability, high-surface 6XXX aluminium alloy for automobile panels specifically designed for...
AAI calls for increased import duties on aluminium scrap amid dumping concerns
According to a report by Mint, India's aluminium sector is advocating for increased import levies on aluminium and its scrap due to concerns about dumping by China, the Middle East, and ASEAN countries. Import duties on aluminium scrap to be raised In a budget proposal to the finance ministry, the Aluminium Association of India (AAI) has requested that the import duty on aluminium scrap be raised from 2.5 per cent to 7.5 per cent and has also called for a slight increase in the import tax on primary aluminium to 10 per cent. Raising import duties on aluminium and its scrap could help curb the spike in imports, which accounted for approximately 55 per cent of India's demand in FY24. According to Mint, the share of local manufacturers has decreased from 60 per cent in 2011 to 45 per cent in...
SMM A00 aluminium ingot price continues to show bearish price trend, declining by RMB250/t today
On Tuesday, July 16, China's A00 aluminium ingot price has contracted by RMB 250 per tonne to settle at RMB 19,790 per tonne. The bearish trend in China's A00 aluminium ingot price can be attributed to weaker demand in the downstream sector, despite rising production levels. As per the SMM data, the average prices are expected to stand between RMB 19,770 per tonne and RMB 19,810 per tonne, with the spot contract price expected to be traded at a discount price of RMB 60 to RMB 20 per tonne. According to data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) , China, a dominant force in the global aluminium market, produced a staggering 3.67 million tonnes of primary aluminium in June. This marked a 6.2 per cent year-on-year surge and set a new record for the highest monthly production since...
Constellium achieves industrial milestone with world’s first Hydrogen-powered aluminium slab
Constellium SE announced the successful completion of its inaugural industrial-scale hydrogen casting at C-TEC, the company's main R&D centre. The casting was conducted in a 12-tonne furnace, adhering to stringent internal protocols. Quality monitoring included the use of Batscan™ technology, an inclusion detection tool for molten aluminium, and no quality impact from hydrogen combustion on the metal was observed. “The 12-tonne aluminium slab produced using hydrogen will be further processed at our Neuf-Brisach site in France for use in electric vehicles. This milestone is significant in our roadmap towards decarbonising our industrial activities, as we have begun exploring the performance of hydrogen as a substitute for natural gas at an industrial scale, provided that hydrogen is green,...
Guangdong Betterlid Packaging achieves the ASI Performance Standard V3 (2022) certification
On July 12, the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) announced that Guangdong Betterlid Packaging Material had successfully obtained the ASI Performance Standard V3 (2022) certification. This certification applies to their manufacturing processes for aluminium alloy sheets and foils used in food packaging. The facility's operations encompass various stages, such as aluminium coil processing, which includes cleaning, coating, cutting, printing, and packaging activities. China Quality Mark Certification Group conducted an independent, third-party audit of Guangdong Betterlid Packaging Material Co., Ltd. In 2023, Guangdong Betterlid joined ASI as the new Industrial Users member. It is a prominent and competent producer of aluminium packaging materials and an integrated solutions provider....
Baosteel Packaging plans to produce 800 million aluminium cans at its upcoming facility in Long An
Shanghai Baosteel Packaging has unveiled plans to establish a state-of-the-art aluminium two-piece can production facility in Vietnam's Long An province. Long An is a province in the Mekong Delta region of southern Vietnam. With an investment totalling around 525 million yuan, the facility is slated to achieve an annual production capacity of 800 million cans. This initiative is geared towards advancing their "internal and external linkage" strategy, optimising production layouts, bolstering customer support, and expanding service capabilities to penetrate the Southeast Asian market better. To facilitate this initiative, Baosteel Packaging intends to establish a new entity named Vietnam Hue Baosteel Can Longan Branch, operating under its wholly-owned subsidiary Vietnam Baosteel (Hue). The...
Reynaers Middle East elevates customer focus with sweet surprise at Atlas Aluminium
Reynaers Middle East (RME) is enhancing customer intimacy in more ways than one! In their latest campaign to strengthen relationships, Reynaers staff recently visited the Atlas Aluminium headquarters, bringing a delightful surprise. "We wanted to show Atlas Aluminium that we value them as more than just a client. By visiting their headquarters and engaging in conversation, we hoped to build a stronger foundation for our future partnership," said Isa Al Wadi, Area Manager (QBK-SE) at Reynaers Middle East. Starting with the presentation of Reynaers-branded chocolates, the team then engaged in friendly conversations with Atlas Aluminium employees. This personal interaction provided a unique opportunity to connect on a deeper, more human level, fostering camaraderie and collaboration. The...
China’s June aluminium output hits decade high, H1 production grows by 7%
According to data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), in June, China's primary aluminium production soared to its highest level in nearly a decade. The first half of the year (H1) saw a 7 per cent increase as producers boosted output amid rising profits. China, a dominant force in the global aluminium market, has once again demonstrated its leadership. The country, which holds the title of the world's leading aluminium producer, churned out a staggering 3.67 million tonnes of primary aluminium in June. This marked a 6.2 per cent year-on-year surge and set a new record for the highest monthly production since November 2014, according to Reuters data. According to a report by Shanghai Metals Market, last month, China's northern region of Inner Mongolia expanded its capacity, and...
LME aluminium benchmark price closes the week with a drop of US$6.5/t; SHFE price declines by US$43/t W-o-W
The previous trading day, LME aluminium opened at US$2,481 per tonne, reached a high of US$2,489.5 per tonne, a low of US$2,465 per tonne, and closed at US$2,489.5 per tonne, up US$13 per tonne, an increase of 0.52 per cent. On Friday, July 12, both LME aluminium cash bid price and LME aluminium official settlement price dropped by US$7 per tonne or 0.28 per cent and US$6.5 per tonne or 0.26 per cent. The prices stood at US$2,421 per tonne and US$2,422 per tonne. The LME aluminium benchmark price also witnessed a W-o-W decline of US$73 per tonne or 2.94 per cent from US$2,495.5 per tonne. As per the LME price graph, 3-month bid price and 3-month offer price also slumped by US$7 per tonne or 0.28 per cent and US$6.5 per tonne or 0.26 per cent to dock at US$2,483 per tonne and US$2,484 per...
Higher demand for aluminium in Azerbaijan pushes Kazakhstan’s exports up by 4.7 times
In the first four months of 2024, Kazakhstan saw a significant increase in aluminium exports, growing 4.7 times from 16,000 tonnes to 75,400 tonnes, according to the Kazinform agency, citing the Ministry of Industry and Construction of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan's exports have surged as demand for aluminium in Azerbaijan skyrocketed by eightfold, rising from 5,500 tonnes to 43,100 tonnes. Similarly, in Uzbekistan, demand surged by 10.5 times, increasing from 200 tonnes to 2,100 tonnes. Additionally, the expansion of sales into new markets such as Belarus, Bulgaria, Italy, and Poland has further bolstered Kazakhstan's export growth, according to reports. A significant factor contributing to this increase is opening new markets, including Bulgaria, which imported 2.6 tonnes of...
Guangyuan Linfeng Aluminum & Electricity earns the ASI CoC Standard V2 (2022) Certification
Guangyuan Linfeng Aluminum & Electricity has attained the ASI Chain of Custody (CoC) Standard V2 (2022) Certification for its smelting facility in Guangyuan City, Sichuan Province, China. Downstream aluminium deep-processing users extensively utilise the company's products. The facility currently produces 240,000 tonnes per annum and previously attained ASI Performance Standard V2 (2017) Certification in November 2022. The ASI Chain of Custody (CoC) Standard V2 (2022) Certification for Guangyuan Linfeng Aluminum & Electricity Co., LTD's facility was the result of a rigorous, independent, third-party audit. This audit, conducted by the reputable SGS-CSTC Standards Technical Services, thoroughly examined our aluminium smelting processes, specifically for producing electrolytic aluminium...
India’s ADC12 aluminium ingot prices remain stable W-o-W amid high freights
According to BigMint's latest assessment, spot prices for ADC12 aluminium alloy ingots, commonly used in the automotive industry, remained stable week-over-week in both the Delhi NCR and Chennai regions. In Delhi NCR, ADC12 spot prices were evaluated at INR 213,000 per tonne (ex-Delhi), which is in line with domestic tense scrap prices of INR 181,000 per tonne (ex-Delhi). Similarly, ADC12 prices were reported in Chennai at INR 215,500 per tonne on an immediate payment basis, excluding GST, while casting scrap prices stood at INR 182,000 per tonne (ex-Chennai). Meanwhile, three-month LME aluminium prices have remained largely steady at $2,490-2,500 per tonne, compared to the previous week's $2,525 per tonne. Indian market analysis In contrast, the Indian domestic market is witnessing...
SMM A00 aluminium ingot price closes the week with a fall of RMB140/t; Low-carbon aluminium price declines to RMB20755/t
According to the Shanghai Metals Market (SMM), China’s A00 aluminium ingot price has descended by RMB 140 per tonne to RMB 20,000 per tonne, with the spot contract price expected to be traded at a discount price of RMB 40 per tonne. The data suggests that the average prices may range between RMB 19,980 per tonne and RMB 20,020 per tonne. In Foshan the price has declined by RMB 180 per tonne to settle at RMB 19,820 per tonne. On the same day, the prices in Gongyi and Chongqing have slumped by RMB 140 per tonne to halt at RMB 19,910 per tonne and RMB 19,950 per tonne. In Wuxi, the A00 aluminium ingot price has lost RMB 130 per tonne to reside at RMB 20,010 per tonne, followed by a decrease of RMB 120 per tonne in Hangzhou, Shenyang and Tianjin to reach RMB 20,020 per tonne, RMB 19,950 per...
US tightens rules to prevent tariff evasion on aluminium & steel via Mexico
The US government has introduced new regulations aimed at companies from China and other nations using Mexico as a conduit to avoid tariffs on aluminium and steel shipments. Under the new rules, these firms must demonstrate the origin of their products if they wish to circumvent border taxes. About the initiative This initiative, announced by the White House, underscores President Joe Biden's efforts to demonstrate his firm stance on China, particularly in the 2024 presidential election, where he faces competition from his predecessor, Donald Trump. These measures represent an expansion of protections initially implemented by Trump in 2018 under the guise of national security, aimed at safeguarding American steel and aluminium producers and could significantly influence the upcoming...
Unveiling the benefits: 8011 aluminium foil for sustainable packaging excellence
The usage of aluminium foil has evolved significantly with time, transitioning from a simple household product wrapper to a vital material in the packaging industry. Among the materials available, 8011 aluminium foil emerges as a standout option. Known for its exceptional properties, 8011 aluminium foil provides numerous advantages that render it highly favoured for sustainable packaging applications. According to AL Circle’s published report , global aluminium foil usage increased from 5.3 million tonnes in 2018 to an estimated 6.1 million tonnes in 2023. The usage is further forecast to reach 7.2 million tonnes by 2028. Its versatile properties—including recyclability, flexibility, resistance to temperature and bacteria, and effective barriers against oxygen, light, and odours—have...
India’s imported aluminium scrap prices grow W-o-W, buoyed by increased buying activity in Europe
This week, imported aluminium scrap prices in India have seen a modest increase, buoyed by a slight uptick in LME aluminium prices and increased purchasing activity in Europe ahead of the summer recess. Three-month LME aluminium prices reached $2,526 per tonne, marking a marginal week-on-week rise of 0.5 per cent. Concurrently, LME warehouse stocks declined by 3 per cent W-o-W to 994,175 tonnes. According to BigMint's latest report, tension scrap originating from the Middle East, notably the UAE, saw a price hike of $50 per tonne, settling at $1,830 per tonne. Additionally, Zorba 95/5 sourced from the UK rose by $5 per tonne to settle at $2,060 per tonne CFR for the west coast of India. Market trends Due to the upcoming European holidays, material availability for specific grades is...
LME aluminium benchmark price contracts by US$36.5/t; SHFE price drops to US$2775/t
The previous trading day, LME aluminium opened at US$2,495.5 per tonne, reached a high of US$2,501.5 per tonne, a low of US$2,476.5 per tonne, and closed at US$2,478 per tonne, down US$19 per tonne from the previous trading day's closing price, a decrease of 0.76 per cent. On Wednesday, July 10, both LME aluminium cash bid price and LME aluminium official settlement price declined by US$37 per tonne or 1.49 per cent and US$36.5 per tonne or 1.47 per cent to settle at US$2,431 per tonne and US$2,432 per tonne. Based on the LME aluminium price graph, both 3-month bid price and 3-month offer price dwindled by US$36 per tonne or 1.42 per cent to clock at US$2,489 per tonne and US$2,489.50 per tonne. December 25 bid price and December 25 offer price slumped by US$32 per tonne or 1.19 per cent...
Next-gen Porsche cars to flaunt Hydro REDUXA low-carbon aluminium
The Norwegian aluminium giant Hydro is recognised globally as one of the leading producers of low-carbon aluminium. In a recent collaboration with Porsche (the German sports car manufacturer), Hydro intensified its partnership to further decarbonise Porsche's sports car supply chain. The agreement, signed in Stuttgart on July 9, introduces a pioneering business model for low-carbon aluminium to enhance sustainability and transparency in the automotive industry. "With this collaboration, we bring an innovative business model to the market to allow industries to further decarbonise their supply chains. We are very excited to work with a fast moving pioneer like Porsche to help them deliver on their ambitious climate targets. I hope this serves as an inspiration for others to follow suit,"...
