Hydro has begun construction of a new 5,900 metric ton indirect aluminum extrusion press line at its Cressona facility in Pennsylvania, backed by a $53.5 million investment aimed at modernizing production, expanding specialist extrusion capacity, and strengthening the company’s North American manufacturing operations. The groundbreaking took place on October 27, with operations expected to commence in the first quarter of 2028. The new press will replace equipment dating from the 1950s and introduce Industry 4.0 technology, advanced automation, improved energy efficiency, and enhanced safety performance. New press targets growing demand for specialist extrusions The investment comes as demand for indirect aluminum extrusions continues to grow across commercial transportation, automotive,...
A Swiss-Polish research team has achieved up to 97.9 per cent relative density in extrusion-printed AA6061 aluminium by removing the solvent-debinding stage and extending the sintering process. The approach offers a potential alternative to conventional processing routes for sinter-based aluminium additive manufacturing, where oxidation has remained a major obstacle. The study, led by the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (Empa), was published in Progress in Additive Manufacturing on October 15, 2026. An earlier version appeared as a preprint in May, making the journal publication the latest stage in the research’s release. The researchers combined a single-step wick-debinding process with a longer sintering hold to improve the density of printed aluminium...
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During the second half of April 2023, the Govt. of India gave the go-ahead to the National Quantum Mission (NQM) with a grant of INR 6,000 CR (around USD $725 million) to build quantum computers and apply quantum computing in various fields of research. Quantum Computing operates in qubits, i.e. they can process ones and zeroes simultaneously. Standard computers operate in bits (ones and zeroes only). As quantum computers can read the patterns or streams of ones and zeroes, they are 100 million times faster than even the most powerful supercomputer in the world. For example, Google’s sycamore computing system with 54 qubits processing capacity can carry out some calculations in 20 seconds which even the fastest supercomputer in the world will take 10,000 years to process. Many other...
Sunrise Metal announced its most recent investment in GISS technology for aluminium die-casting production. With over 23 years engineering expertise and highly experienced board staff, the major maker of aluminium-die casting goods is well-known for its dedication to innovation and constant progress. GISS technology will significantly enhance the company's manufacturing process and efficiency. The GISS slurry unit is simple add-on equipment that can be mounted on a cold chamber aluminium die-casting process. It is simple to apply to diecast machines equipped with ladler dosing, which may convert metal alloys into semi-solid slurry materials by adding nitrogen. The final casted pieces expelled from the mould will thus have reduced shrinkage porosity, better mechanical characteristics, are...
Kaiser Aluminum Corporation, a leading producer of semi-fabricated speciality aluminium products, announced that United Steelworkers (USW) Local 104 accepted a new four-year labour agreement to work at Kaiser’s Warrick rolling mill in Indiana, formerly owned by Alcoa. Kaiser’s Warrick rolling mill is a melt shop for used beverage cans. Kaiser said the agreement with United Steelworkers took effect from May 15, 2023, and would be in place till May 15, 2027. “We are very pleased to have reached a mutually beneficial agreement to position our company and USW employees at Warrick for sustainable success. Consistent with our expectations when we acquired Warrick on March 31, 2021, we believe the contributions from our Warrick employees will be instrumental in the achievement of our longer-term...
Thok has recently developed a new aluminium prototype for their full suspension using a metal 3D printer, marking a first for the industry. Thok has partnered with an aerospace company to achieve this extraordinary feat. The company prioritises performance and tests the geometry and components of its projects on trails. Metal 3D printing is an ideal method for producing fully functional prototypes and components for final use that may be impossible to create with traditional methods, as it saves time and reduces costs. This technology combines the design flexibility of 3D printing with the mechanical properties of high-performing aluminium alloys to produce unique, lightweight, and durable components for the most complex applications. Aluminium is the most preferable non-ferrous metal for...
The Malaysia-based PMB Technology Bhd will invest significantly in its Phase 3 plant project in Samalaju Industrial Park, Bintulu, increasing the output capacity of metallic silicon by 50 per cent annually. It has been reported that the company is investing RM350 million in the Phase 3 unit of the smelter, which would have a capacity of 36,000 tonnes per year. According to PMB Technology, the project is expected to be accomplished by Q3 2023. The 2022 annual report of the company pronounces, "With both Phase 1 and Phase 2 up and running now, the group's combined annual installed capacity is 108,000 tonnes, supplied by a total power of 129 megawatts (MW)." The subsidiary PMB Silicon Sdn Bhd carries out metallic silicon manufacturing. On October 31, 2022, the group began constructing the...
According to the Shanghai Metals Market data, the average operating rate of China’s aluminium plate/sheet, strip and foil producers fell in April by 1.68 percentage points month-on-month to stand at 67.69 per cent. Large, medium, and small enterprises' operating rates were 72.88 per cent, 39.53 per cent, and 36.53 per cent, respectively. SMM showed the operating rate of aluminium plate/sheet and strip companies were 65.83 per cent, down 1.90 percentage points M-o-M and 10.87 percentage points Y-o-Y, while the operating rate of foil producers was 74.61 per cent. Although April was a peak season, many aluminium plate/sheet and strip-producing companies reported lower orders compared to March. Most of the companies’ new and backlog orders decreased significantly, resulting in diminished...
Manaksia Aluminium Company Limited, aluminium profiled rolling sheet producer, has announced its standalone financial results for the fourth quarter and full year of 2023, reporting a 4.73 per cent quarter-on-quarter growth in total income to INR 110.7086 crore. In the third quarter, the company yielded total revenue of INR 105.7123 crore. However, on a year-on-year calculation, the Q4 revenue recorded a decline of 8.83 per cent from INR 121.4274 crore. The company’s net profit at the end of the fourth quarter stood at INR 3.4623 crore, registering a jump of 174.24 per cent from INR 1.2625 crore at the end of the third quarter (December 31). Compared to a year ago, Manaksia Aluminium’s net profit reflected a surge of 93.21 per cent from INR 1.7920 crore. Manaksia has also posted that its...
Order intake for Italian machine tool manufacturers fell significantly in Q1 2023 when compared to the same phase in 2022, both in domestic and foreign markets. Regardless, the Italian producers of machine tools used more than 86 per cent of their available manufacturing capacity, and their order backlog covered 8.6 months of production. Machine tool orders submitted by UCIMU-SISTEMI PER PRODURRE's Economic Studies Department & Business Culture Centre fell by 23.7 per cent in Q1 2023 compared to the same period in 2022. The index was 125.1 at the time. Reduced order intake in domestic and international markets was the cause of the decline. With a score of 125.9 on the index, orders from global markets decreased by 22.9 per cent. On the other hand, the domestic order intake, measured in...
Mechatherm International Limited, one of the major suppliers of aluminium casthouse equipment in the UK, celebrated its 50 years of business, a milestone occasion for the company. Mechatherm will host a gala dinner and the largest display stand in the United States at Aluminium USA in October to mark this milestone anniversary. Dong-IL Aluminium Co announced its plans to open three new rolling mills in its Cheongju factory by 2025, seeking to become Korea's biggest foil manufacturer. This will enable the company to supply more aluminium foil to the local EV battery makers. Mills CNC will demonstrate one of their most popular simultaneous 5-axis machining tools on June 14-15 at the Limerick Manufacturing Solutions - Ireland 2023 Exhibition. The DVF 5000 can precisely fabricate aluminium...
Wheels India Ltd, a major player in the automotive wheel industry, has allocated INR 200 crore towards capital expenditures in FY23-24. This is part of the company's plan to gradually increase wheel production for commercial vehicles, tractors, aluminium wheels, and windmill machining segments. In 2022, the company had a capex of Rs 143 crore. According to Srivats Ram, MD of Wheels India , the company holds a 5% market share in the domestic aftermarket segment. The company is expanding its relationships with global customers and exploring new platforms. Cast aluminium is a strong suit for the company, and the first supply of these wheels will be made this month, with the possibility of adding another customer in Q3 of this year. The company has increased its exports in Q4, and the MD...
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Aluminium Stewardship Initiative has reportedly certified Novelis Aluminium (Zhenjiang) Co., Ltd against Chain of Custody (CoC) Standard V2 (2022) Certification. Novelis has received recognition for its rolling facility in the Jingkou Industrial Zone, Jiangsu Province, China. Novelis Jiangsu facility receives ASI certification for the second time. In August 2022, it received ASI Performance Standard V2 Certification. The facility produces high-strength structural plate products for aerospace and commercial plate applications. The ASI CoC Standard V2 sets out requirements for the creation of a Chain of Custody for material that is produced and processed through the value chain into diverse downstream sectors. On receiving the new certification, Sachin Satpute, Executive Vice President and...
Alloy Enterprises, a metal additive manufacturing parts supplier, recently raised $26 million in a Series A funding round led by Piva Capital to boost the production of their aluminium parts. Other investors included Unless, Flybridge Capital, MassMutual Catalyst Fund, Robert Downey Jr.'s Footprint Coalition, Congruent Ventures, and Riot Ventures. The oversubscribed funding round brings Alloy Enterprise's total raised funding to $37 million. Alloy Enterprises was founded in early 2020 to bridge the demand for complex aluminium components and the supply within the United States. The company has developed a novel additive manufacturing system that is specially designed for aluminium but does not use aluminium powder. Using a combination of laser cutting and diffusion bonding, the company...
The increasing demand for lightweight vehicles has led to a significant growth of aluminium extrusions usage. The applications of aluminium extrusions know no bound in the transportation sector. From panels to engine blocks, roof rails to chassis of cars, aluminium extrusions are a part of the structural elements of lightweight vehicles. Also, owing to a high strength-to-weight ratio, aluminium extrusions are commonly used in lightweight vehicles. In addition, other key industries ramping up the consumption of aluminium extrusions include architecture & construction, electrical systems, and industrial. It is to be noted here that the building and construction sector is the major end-user of aluminium extrusions, followed by the transportation and industrial sector. World extrusion usage -...
When it comes to aluminium casthouse machinery, Mechatherm International Limited is the leading provider in the United Kingdom. Founded in 1973 by Bryan Emes, John Gardner, and Louis Riley, the aluminium casthouse equipment supplier celebrated 50 years of business, a milestone occasion for the company. To commemorate this historic anniversary, Mechatherm will conduct a number of activities throughout the year, including a gala dinner and the biggest exhibition stand in the United States to date at Aluminium USA in October. The company's devotion to sustainability has also contributed to its success. Mechatherm has created novel solutions to minimise energy usage, greenhouse gas emissions, and trash formation in the aluminium recycling process. This development will culminate in Mechatherm...
Mexico imported 13,400 tonnes of aluminium crude metals and alloys from the United States in February 2023, according to the US Geological Survey. The import volume was 4.29 per cent or 600 tonnes fewer month-on-month than 14,000 tonnes but reflected a rise of 16.52 per cent from 11,500 tonnes a year ago. In the first two months of 2023, Mexico’s aluminium crude metals and alloys imports from the US totalled 27,400 tonnes, up by 26.27 per cent from 21,700 tonnes during the same period of the previous year. Mexico continued to be the highest importer of the United States’ aluminium crude metals and alloys in February 2023, followed by Malaysia, importing 10,200 tonnes of metal. On a month-on-month calculation, Malaysia’s imports edged an increase of 35.46 per cent from 7,530 tonnes. The...
The leading South Korean aluminium foil producer, Dong-IL Aluminium Co., has reportedly accelerated its production capacity to cater to the ever-growing demand in the electric vehicle (EV) sector, especially in the United States and Europe. The company will supply more aluminium foil to local EV battery makers. Dong-IL Aluminium has recently announced that it is adding three new rolling mills to the existing five at its Cheongju plant by 2025, aiming to become the largest foil producer in Korea. Each rolling mill can produce 350,000 units of aluminium foil for EVs in a year. “Demand for the high quality of aluminum foil has explosively grown as EV makers have been in a hurry to obtain batteries with both higher safety and energy density to offer longer driving ranges,” Park Chan Gyu, the...
Book your calendar in advance for the Thirteenth International Aluminum Extrusion Technology Seminar & Exposition, to be held on April 30 - May 2, 2024, at Rosen Shingle Creek, Orlando, United States. If you wish to explore potential business opportunities or expand networkingin the aluminium extrusion sector, then this event is sure to serve you an ideal platform. Aluminium extrusion industry professionals from more than 50 countries will attend the seminar. The event will feature over 100 technical sessions, an exposition featuring products, equipment, and services from industry suppliers, networking events and much more! This premier seminar aims to bring together the thought leaders, decision-makers and top executives from the aluminium extrusion industry for a powerful 3-day event...
Linamar has started optimising a new giga casting plant in Welland, Ontario, scheduled to begin activities in February 2025. The plant, when prepared, will supply structural aluminium castings for application in lightweight automobiles. The company has already begun site preparation for the plant. This investment will hail Linamar as the first Tier 1 supplier outside Asia that uses high-pressure die-cast giga press machines. Linamar is optimistic about the growing demand for sustainable vehicles in the market as it has planned to make "very large structural parts for electric vehicles," the company claimed. Despite Linamar's silence on its customers or supply deals, the plant's strategic location near manufacturing bases in Michigan and Ontario offers numerous potential clients. If this...
