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...
Grow with
AL Circle
The downstream sector has seen temporal waves this week, with the Zurich Cantonal Bank lowering its stake in Kaiser Aluminium Co. by 28.8 per cent in 4Q 2022 and Novelis marking a 27% fall in FY 4Q 2023. SRF, the Indian multi-business chemical conglomerate, announced the construction of an aluminium foil plant which will cost INR 425 crore. Some of the upcoming events of the industry are going to take place in Africa and Ireland. The former will host the Equipment and Manufacturing West Africa Expo, while the latter will oversee the Ireland 2023 Exhibition in Limerick. In these global events, various aluminium items and jobs would be displayed. Foundry Ecocer, the market leader in producing and selling products and machinery for the metallurgical treatments of non-ferrous alloys, has...
Mills CNC will be featuring one of their most popular simultaneous 5-axis machining tools at the Manufacturing Solutions – Ireland 2023 Exhibition in Limerick on June 14-15. The DVF 5000 can accurately manufacture aluminium components with the use of metal powder. As the exclusive distributor of DN Solutions’ and Zayer machine tools in the UK and Ireland, Mills CNC also offers advanced automation system solutions to component manufacturers. The showcased machine is DN Solutions’ DVF 5000 model, equipped with direct-drive spindle technology, linear guides, a 60-tool position ATC, integrated thermal compensation, and the latest advanced Fanuc 31i Plus control with 15” touchscreen iHMI. On display at their stand (M4) in the Technology Zone, the DVF 5000 has become a go-to machine for OEM and...
Vedanta Aluminium is reportedly increasing production at its smelters in Jharsuguda (Odisha) and Korba (Chhattisgarh) to widen its product lines and diversify product mix to cater to sunrise sectors like high-tech manufacturing, electric vehicles, green building, renewable energy, and battery technologies. The company is committed to meeting the growing demand for aluminium with its indigenously produced aluminium products for the engineering and technology sectors. Vedanta Aluminium is a well-known player in the value-added aluminium product market. It produces more than half of India’s aluminium. In FY2023-23 ended March 31, Vedanta’s aluminium production totalled 2.29 million tonnes. “The world seeks to transition to a low-carbon future, one that is undoubtedly going to be metal...
Novelis, the world’s leading flat-rolled aluminium producer and aluminium recycler, announced its fourth quarter and full year results of FY2022-23 ended March 31. The company noted that its net income attributable to common shareholders in Q4 FY2023 was $156 million, down by 27 per cent from $215 million a year ago. In the full fiscal year, the income amounted to $658 million, reflecting a Y-o-Y plunge of 31 per cent from $954 million. Novelis’ net income from continuing operations in Q4 FY23 also stood at $156 million, reflecting a fall of 28 per cent Y-o-Y from $217 million. In the full year, the company earned $659 million as net income from continuing operations compared to $1,018 million in FY2022. Adjusted EBITDA was recorded at $403 million in Q4 FY2023, down by 6.50 per cent from...
SRF, the Indian multi-business chemical conglomerate, announced that its board of directors has decided to establish a new facility that would include SRF Altech Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the firm. The new factory, expected to cost INR 425 crore, would produce aluminium foil. As per the reports, the project's cost is expected to rise to INR 530 crores owing to modifications in machine configuration to improve production, product portfolio, and quality, as well as increases in civil and preparatory expenditures. The overall feasibility is projected to stay the same. In January 2022, the board of directors of SRF held a meeting for the construction of the aluminium foil plant. The company mentioned that the anticipated capacity expansion of 21000 MTPA would be added by September...
According to a report on Monday, May 8, Zurich Cantonal Bank reduced its shareholding in Kaiser Aluminium Co. by 28.8 per cent in the fourth quarter. As per the disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the bank shed off 743 shares during the said quarter and owned 1,835 shares of Kaiser worth $139,000. Other hedge funds and institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of Kaiser Aluminium. National Bank of Canada FI acquired new shares in Kaiser Aluminium worth $58,000 and Point72 Hong Kong Ltd bought a stake of nearly $80,000. Captrust Financial Advisors increased its shares by 76.1 per cent, owning 1,016 shares worth $96,000. Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio grew its position in Kaiser Aluminium by 14.2 per cent by purchasing 206 new shares. The...
Sagar Asia Private Limited, the Hyderabad-based family-owned aluminium engineering firm, has gained a strong reputation in India in the past few years as a household brand product. The company now offers four business lines, all related to climbing and access. Sagar Asia has worked tirelessly to support the government's Make in India and Atma Nirbhar Bharat programmes. To commemorate the same and on completing 40 years of business, the aluminium extrusion company is planning to establish a one-of-a-kind aluminium park in Telangana to mark its 40 years of expertise. The park spans 100 acres and will house approximately 100 Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) producing downstream and other aluminium goods. The items would be offered both in India and outside. The company...
The downstream aluminium sector has been subjected to various new updates to introduce more sustainability into the material loop. The Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) has attested to using Constellium’s Aheadd® CP1 aluminium alloy in manufacturing F1 racing cars to be launched in the 2024 season. PWR, an ASX-listed automotive cooling solutions provider, has collaborated with Constellium to use the latter’s expertise to develop various other strains of Aheadd® aluminium alloy strains applicable in additive manufacturing. Press Metal has planned the expansion of its Klang plant at Selangor to meet the rising demand for solar panels internationally. SDE Technology recently welcomed Robert Joyce as its inaugural non-executive advisor. With a wealth of experience as a supply...
On May 4, 2023, Arconic Corporation announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by funds managed by Apollo Global Management, Inc. affiliates in an all-cash transaction that values the Company at an enterprise value of approximately US$5.2 billion. The acquisition involves a minority investment from funds managed by Irenic Capital Management affiliates. The deal states that Arconic stockholders will receive $30.00 in cash per share, reflecting a 36 per cent premium to the Company's undisturbed closing stock price on February 27, 2023. However, after the transaction is completed, Arconic's shares will no longer trade on the New York Stock Exchange, and the company will become private. Fritz Henderson, the Arconic Board of Directors Chairman, said, "This...
It has been reported that Press Metal Aluminium Holdings Bhd is about to expand its extrusion capacity in its Klang plant at Selangor to suffice the rising demand for solar panels. Tan Sri Koon Poh Keong, the firm's chief executive officer, assured that Press Metal was hoping for an additional 30,000 tonnes per year capacity increase since this new expansion will only focus on the manufacturing of solar frames. The group has projected that the newly enhanced aluminium extrusion plant will be fully optimised by the second half of 2023. Press Metal's Klang extrusion plant currently possesses an annual capacity of 50,000 tonnes, whereas the company's second extrusion press in Foshan, Guangdong Province, China, flaunts an irreplaceable capacity of 160,000 tonnes yearly. At this moment, both...
Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), the regulatory body governing the Formula 1 (F1) and other worldwide motorsports, has authorised Constellium’s Aheadd® CP1 aluminium alloy for use in F1 racing cars starting in the 2024 season. Under a recent collaboration between Velo3D, Inc., a leading metal additive manufacturing technology firm for mission-critical components, and PWR Advanced Cooling Technology, the CP1 aluminium alloy will be used in Sapphire printers. PWR Advanced Cooling Technology will utilise the alloy to create highly efficient, small, and lightweight heat exchangers for Formula 1 cars and several other high-performance components for its clients. Aheadd® CP1 is being approved for printing in 100-micron layers, in addition to the typical 50-micron layer thickness...
According to the US Census Bureau data, the United States’ aluminium crude metals and alloys imports during February 2023 amounted to 238,000 tonnes, reflecting a plunge of 22.48 per cent from a month ago. In January, the import volume was 307,000 tonnes after being plummeted by 20.88 per cent from 388,000 tonnes in December 2022. Thus, the above data indicate the United States aluminium crude metals and alloys imports fell back-to-back at the beginning of the year. On an annual basis, the United States imports of aluminium crude metals and alloys in February’23 stood 9.16 per cent lower than 262,000 tonnes. In the first two months of the year, the United States imported 545,000 tonnes of aluminium crude metals and alloys versus 605,000 tonnes during the same period of the previous year....
Hatch has announced the addition of Küttner to its portfolio of enterprises. As the two companies join forces, Hatch Küttner becomes Europe's top supplier of sophisticated engineering and technology services for the metals, energy, and infrastructure industry sectors. Hatch's industry-leading expertise in hydrogen generation, green metals (aluminium, iron, copper), and battery solutions will be supplemented by Küttner's development of sustainable industrial processes and unique green technologies. "I am thrilled to welcome Küttner to the Hatch family. Our values are aligned, including our commitment to focusing on the best possible outcomes for our clients and creating lasting, positive outcomes for our communities and the environment," expressed John Bianchini, Chairman and CEO of Hatch....
In a recent partnership between PWR Advanced Cooling Technology and Constellium, the Gold Coast-based automotive cooling solutions firm will create 3D-printed heat exchangers and other aluminium components . Under this alliance, PWR, an ASX-listed Gold Coast-based automotive cooling solutions firm, said the coalition would utilise Constellium's metallurgical expertise and patented Aheadd aluminium alloys for additive manufacturing. PWR Technical Projects Manager Mark Booker said the Aheadd CP1 alloy allows 3D printing of complicated geometries, quicker print times, and increased thermal performance. The Aheadd aluminium was luanched by Constellium in 2020 . "The ability to anodise, weld and braze, all in-house with this alloy opens applications not previously suited to 3D printing. The...
SDE Technology recently welcomed Robert Joyce as its inaugural non-executive advisor. With a wealth of experience as a supply chain specialist at renowned companies such as BMW, Rover and Jaguar Land Rover, Joyce is a highly respected expert in the automotive industry. SDE Technology believes this will enhance the company’s aluminium components-making abilities while creating 20 new job opportunities. The Shrewsbury-based manufacturer has a distinct client base of renowned carmakers for whom it provides precisely engineered pressings and assemblies. Robert Joyce will be responsible for the company’s new venture into modernistic ideas, including electrification and lighter components that create the latest car shapes. The managing director of SDE Technology, Richard Homden, stated: “This...
Through their collaboration, ASCONA and D-CUBE are transforming the aluminium industry with an innovative approach to inline surface inspection of aluminium profiles. Their joint efforts have led to the development of Promex Cyrus, a cutting-edge product that employs AI technology to benefit leading aluminium extrusion plants in Europe. This strategic partnership exemplifies the power of teamwork and demonstrates the potential for global impact in aluminium profile inspection. Promex Cyrus, with the help of artificial intelligence (AI), can identify various types of surface anomaly live, whatever the shape, number or size of the extruded aluminium profile might be. The inspection can be done in singularity or series, and Cyrus sends a warning message for the operators to rectify their...
The global mining and metal giant Rio Tinto has entered into a binding agreement to acquire the Platina Scandium Project, a high-grade scandium resource in New South Wales, from Platina Resources Limited for $14 million. The project, located in central New South Wales close to Condobolin, includes a long-life, high-grade scalable resource that has the potential to produce up to 40 tonnes of scandium oxide annually for a projected 30 years. Scandium is one of the best elements for strengthening aluminium while improving flexibility and heat and corrosion resistance. As a result, it is employed to make high-performance aluminium alloys for various uses that call for lightweight, robust, and heat-resistant materials, such as 3D printing, aerospace, automotive, heat exchangers, sporting...
Following a year of phenomenal development, MQP, the specialist in high-efficiency grain refiners, which lower costs and eradicate flaws like razor streaks in aluminium alloys, has won a worldwide business award. At the 2023 BizX Awards at London's ExCel, TV sports commentator Gabby Logan gave the Best Import/Export award to Midlands-based MQP. It's been a year of spectacular success for the family-run Solihull firm, which has raised tonnage by more than 30 per cent and earnings by more than 600 per cent in 2022. The award was presented to MQP for the efficient way it transports its aluminium grain refiner, a crucial component necessary in casting sheets and billets for anything from kitchen foil to automobile roof panels in order to prevent cracks and flaws. John Courtenay, the Chairman...
