ABB has secured two orders from China’s Southwest Aluminum to supply integrated automation and digital technologies for two six-high aluminium cold rolling mills, supporting the manufacturer’s wide-strip production expansion and upgrade. The projects involve a 2,500 mm two-stand mill and a 3,000 mm single-stand mill, with both lines expected to be fully commissioned and operational by the end of 2027. Chongqing-based Southwest Aluminum is a subsidiary of the Aluminum Corporation of China (Chinalco). The orders build on the longstanding cooperation between ABB and the aluminium producer, with the latest projects focusing on process stability, control precision and production performance. Explore insights and forecasts for the aluminium flat rolled products (FRP) market from our...
India-based PG Foils Limited plans to establish a downstream aluminium manufacturing facility in Bahrain, focusing on electric vehicle (EV) battery foil and pharmaceutical foil production. The proposed investment is expected to expand the kingdom’s aluminium downstream capabilities and strengthen its manufacturing base. Bahrain’s Ministry of Industry and Commerce signed a letter of intent with PG Foils for the project. The agreement was signed by Industry and Commerce Minister Abdullah bin Adel Fakhro and PG Foils Joint Managing Director Sahil Shah during the fourth edition of the Gateway Gulf expo, which opened on November 1 in Manama. Explore: The most comprehensive and forward-looking industry-focused report – Aluminum Foil Market Report Forecast Till 2035 Hosted by the Bahrain...
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The Aluminum Association has added four new member companies – Matalco, Page Material Management, Real Alloy and Texarkana Aluminum. Page Material Management joins the association as an associate member – an organization that supplies goods and services to the industry. The three companies join as producer members – firms that make or fabricate aluminium products. Michelle O’Neill, Senior Vice President, Global Government Affairs & Sustainability at Alcoa and Chair of the Aluminum Association said: “As we continue to advocate on behalf of the entire aluminium industry, we’re pleased to bring in these new voices to help us tell the sustainability story, including the metal’s infinite recyclability.” “Recycling plays a critical role in the North American market, and we look forward to...
To meet the need to increase the driving mileage of Electrical Vehicles (EVs), Aluminium China and its sister show Lightweight Asia in July, held in Shanghai by Reed Exhibitions, will showcase leading auto-aluminum brands committed to reducing the weight of next-generation EVs. While it is predicted that by 2020, the annual output of EVs in China alone will reach 2.42 million with 244 different models, representing an annual growth rate of 41%, ‘mileage concern’ still puts off many potential consumers. With current lithium battery sets, the average-cost EVs can be driven for only 100km. Reducing the weight of EVs is the best way to break the mileage barrier and motivate consumers to adopt them in greater numbers. It is estimated that for every 100kg saved, an EV can increase its mileage...
According to the latest data released by the General Administration of Customs, exports of aluminium extrusions, bars and rods in China increased by 13.93 per cent in April compared with the same period last year. The export volume of aluminium extrusions, bars and rods in April was 87,200, as updated by Shanghai Metals Market. Exports registered a growth of 0.6 per cent month-on-month, as the yuan weakened and as domestic market saturation drove producers to tap markets overseas. The yuan depreciated in April to a low of 6.7599 against the dollar in offshore trading. Aluminium extrusions, bars and rods exports contributed 17.52 per cent of the total exports of unwrought aluminium and aluminium products, and the share expanded 1.64 percentage points from the month before.
According to Shanghai Metals Market, China’s aluminium alloy wheel export in April dropped 9.6 per cent month on month. In March 2019, the country’s aluminium alloy wheel export was around 63,642 tonnes, while in the last month it pegged at 70,400 tonnes. On the yearly basis, the export amount is down by 11.6 per cent. As per the SMM research, overseas demand and trade tensions were the two primary factors that extended weakness in China’s aluminium alloy wheel export for the month of April 2019. In January 2019, China’s aluminium alloy wheel export had come in 90,200 tonnes after rising 11.63 per cent from December 2018. In February, the export amount dropped to the lowest monthly exports in the last five years amounting at 53,700 tonnes, down 40.5 per cent month-on-month. Compared to...
Shanghai Metals Market found aluminium billet inventories to further shrink today, on May 30, by some 1,200 tonnes week-on-week, as lower processing fees buoyed downstream consumption. Last week, on May 23, the billet inventories were at 79,700 tonnes after declining by some 13,900 tonnes from 96,500 tonnes on May 16, while today the stocks are at 78,500 tonnes. This indicates that billet inventories this week have recorded a slower plunge. In Foshan, Guangdong, the aluminium billet inventory has dropped by some 1,900 tonnes from the last week to stand at 34,900 tonnes, while that in Wuxi, Jiangsu has declined by some 2,800 tonnes to stand at 13,200 tonnes. In Huzhou, Zhejiang, and in Nanchang, Jiangxi, the inventory, however, has inched up by some 1000 tonnes and 3,400 tonnes to clock at...
Australia-based aluminium extrusion producer Capral is reportedly eyeing to develop partnerships with Chinese and Southeast Asian fabricators and extrusion manufacturers, as aluminium is becoming a common choice for Asian architects to construct modern and sublime homes and buildings. Capral is the largest aluminium extrusion and distribution business in Australia, with expertise in producing building systems products such as doors and windows, shower enclosures, and wardrobes. Managing director Tony Dragicevich said, “Our systems are built for Australian climate conditions, which are very similar to conditions in southeast China and Asia.” He further said, “Our proprietary systems are designed and tested in our own laboratories to withstand weather conditions such as strong winds and...
According to the preliminary estimates from Aluminum Association, aluminium demand in the United States and Canada, including shipments by domestic producers plus imports stood at an estimated 3.25 million tonnes from January to March 2019, slightly up from the same period of 2018. Demand for semi-fabricated (mill) products for the first quarter stood at 2.3 million tonnes, up 2.1 per cent YoY. Apparent consumption (demand less exports) in domestic markets totalled an estimated 2.9 million tonnes, up 1.3 per cent YoY. Apparent consumption in domestic markets totalled 984,295 tonnes in March, a slight rise over March 2018 total. Producer inventories totalled 3,511 million pounds in March, a slight drop month on month. Compared to a year ago, producer inventories were up 11.9 per cent....
As updated by Shanghai Metals Market, the Mexican government imposed a provisional anti-dumping duty on aluminium foil coils imports from China. According to a preliminary ruling announced on May 24, duties were set at $0.17968-1.1634 per kg. No duties were imposed on imports having a price of $ 3.4817 per kg or higher. The products subject to the duty are classified under the HS code of 76071101. Mexico on August 28 announced the initiation of anti-dumping investigation on imports of aluminium foil from China. The investigation was in response to a complaint filed by Mexican firm Almexa Aluminio claiming that aluminium foil of a thickness equal to or less than 0.08 millimeters originating in China was damaging Mexico’s domestic industry. Customs data showed that only 3.98 per cent of...
According to a recent report, Hulamin Extrusions on Tuesday, May 28, circulated retrenchment notifications among its personnel. In a letter, Hulamin said it was considering closing the Olifantsfontein facility and restructuring the Pietermaritzburg plant and supporting services operations. In two of the facilities, the subsidiary of Hulamin Limited employs about 400 staff, which equates to about 20% of total group employment. An anonymous source said the company could lay off as many as 200 employees. However, the news could not be verified with Hulamin as attempts to get a comment from the firm were not successful. According to one of the letters issued to the employees, the consultation over the retrenchments will start from Wednesday, May 29, and will expectedly come to a conclusion by...
Scientists at the National University of Science and Technology (MISIS) have reportedly discovered a simple and efficient way to strengthen aluminium-based composite materials. By doping aluminium melt with nickel and lanthanum, scientists have produced a new aluminium alloy that has benefits of both composite materials and standard alloys, including flexibility, strength, and lightness. Torgom Akopyan, one of the authors and researchers at NUST MISIS Department of Metal Forming said, “Our research group, led by Professor Nikolai Belov, has worked on the creation of aluminium-based composites for many years. Al-Ni-La composite is one of such projects, aimed at creation of “natural” aluminium-based composite material with more than 15% vol. of doping elements. A feature of the new...
Luoyang Wanji Aluminium Processing Co., Ltd has become a Production & Transformation member of Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI). This brings the total number of ASI members to 88. Luoyang Wanji Aluminium Processing is a manufacturer of aluminium foil in China, established in 2008, wholly owned by Wanji Holding Group Co., Ltd. The company’s products are widely applied in the fields of transportation, packaging and building and supply intermediate materials for home appliance, electronic communication, pharmaceuticals, printing and other product sectors. Chairman of Wanji Aluminium, Yuemin Li said: “Wanji Aluminium Processing is glad to join ASI, we strive to minimize the environmental impacts of our operation, and support ASI’s commitment to promote sustainability in the aluminium...
Press Metal Aluminium Holdings Berhad, the largest Aluminium smelter in South East Asia, published released its financial results for the three months ended 31 March 2019. The group’s revenue increased marginally by RM45.82 million or 2.2% in 1Q FY19 compare with the same period last year. Revenue stood at RM2.17 billion in 1Q FY19. Net profit attributable to shareholders declined 23.5% year-on-year to RM115.11 million in 1QFY19. The group had reported net profit of RM150.48 million in 1QFY18. “Despite the higher revenue, margins were lower as a result of lower realized aluminium prices and prolonged high raw material prices stemming from the partial shutdown of the world’s largest alumina refinery in Brazil,” Press Metal said. Group Chief Executive Officer Tan Sri Paul Koon said: “Our...
Japan’s aluminium industry has stepped up its efforts to have the light metal used more in bridges and other infrastructure, taking advantage of new design standards to boost stagnant demand. Therefore, the country has increased the use of aluminium in the building and construction sector, and also ramped up the downstream manufacturing of aluminium structures within the country. After catering to the indigenous demand, it has been exporting the surplus amount of metals structures to the international market. According to global export-import data, Japan’s export of aluminium structures had a sweeping growth of 98 per cent from 2,134 tonnes in 2017 to 4,235 tonnes. However, the export this year is likely to stand down at 3,719 tonnes, 12 per cent lower from 2018 but 74 per cent higher...
Turkey has reportedly lowered tariffs by half on some US imports in response to the United States’ move to halve tariffs on Turkish aluminium and steel imports. The news came after the official gazette revealed on Wednesday, May 22. Turkey Trade Minister Ruhsar Pekcan wrote on Twitter, “Reciprocally we decided to reduce by half the additional duties levied on 22 products originating in the US.” She said the duties levied on US originating products would be reduced from $521.2 million to $260.6 million. Those products include passenger cars, alcohol drinks, tobacco, cosmetics, and PVC. Last week, the White House decided to lower the metal tariffs on Turkey. Steel imports have been decided to reduce from 50 per cent to 25 per cent. But at the same time, the US administration terminated...
The United Arab Emirates exported 92,700 tonnes of aluminium (crude metal and alloys and aluminium semi-finished products) to the US in the first two months of 2019, according to the latest Mineral Industry Survey report from US Geological Survey. In February alone, exports to the US stood at 40,800 tonnes, down from 51, 900 in January. Crude metal and alloys export increased15.08 per cent or 12,000 tonnes year-on-year in two-month period. Export rose from 79,600 tonnes in the first two months of 2018 to 91,600 tonnes in the first two months of 2019. In February, exports stood at 40,200 tonnes. This records an increase of 3.88 per cent year-on-year, but down 21.79 per cent month-on-month. Semi-finished products (plates, sheets, bars, etc.) exports to the US stood at 1,140 tonnes in...
According to Shanghai Metals Market, inventories of 6063 aluminium billet in China continue to shrink over the week on lower cargo arrivals. After decreasing by some 13,900 tonnes today, on May 23, aluminium billet stocks are standing at 79,700 tonnes across five major consumption areas. This indicates that the stocks today have declined higher than in the last week on May 16, when inventories had stood at 96,500 per tonnes after plunging by some 2,900 tonnes. In Foshan, Guangdong, the aluminium billet inventory has dropped by some 11,200 tonnes from the last week to stand at 36,800 tonnes, while that in Wuxi, Jiangsu has declined by some 2,000 tonnes to stand at 16,000 tonnes. In Changzhou, Jiangsu and in Huzhou, Zhejiang, the inventory has dropped by some 600 tonnes and 2,500 tonnes to...
The Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) announced the certification of Hydro Aluminium Rolled Products operations against the ASI Chain of Custody Standard. ASI certified Hydro Aluminium Rolled Products operations for the sites in Grevenbroich, Hamburg, and Neuss (Germany), the joint venture site Alunorf (Germany) (including outsourcing contractors). Hydro’s CoC Certification includes smelting, re-melting, and casting operations, thus enabling the company to manufacture ASI certified aluminium. Einar Glomnes, Executive Vice President Rolled Products, commented: “We are happy and proud to be certified against the Chain of Custody Standards by the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative, which enable us to offer certified aluminium to our customers. This is an important milestone for Hydro on...
Aluminium bar, rods and profiles import by Vietnam is estimated to extend its rise this year, according to global export-import data. In 2018, Vietnam’s import of aluminium bar, rods and profiles had pegged at 309,748 tonnes, in contrast to 75,385 tonnes in 2017. This means the country’s import in 2018 had increased by 310 per cent from its previous year. In 2019, the import amount is likely to increase by 12 per cent year on year to stand at 348,137 tonnes. Aluminium bars account for 4.2 per cent of Vietnam’s total imports. The major countries from where Vietnam imports are China, Japan, Malaysia, and South Korea. Leading the list, China this year is expected to supply 317,796 tonnes at US$1056 million, followed by Malaysia which is likely to provide 22,616 tonnes at US$41 million and...
