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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Today, on July 2, President Donald Trump has decided to rule out backing down on import tariffs against China. He has also threatened to impose up to US$ 500 billion worth of Chinese goods in case the two countries could not strike a fair deal sooner or later. But a couple of days before, the President had a different plan altogether, as he had decided to back down China from such hard-hitting policy. This could at least diffuse trade tensions between the US and China, even if temporary. The White House has already imposed 25 per cent tariff on US$ 50 billion worth of Chinese goods including industrially significant technologies with the aim to escalate the trade war between the world’s two largest economies. In response to China’s decision to levy heavy duties on 545 American products...
In the face of the US tariff storm, the Aluminium China 2018 exhibition and conference in Shanghai from July 11 to 13, will provide China’s aluminium industry with its first global platform since the announcement to expand business into other world markets. In particular, the event, which will bring together some 500 exhibitors and 24,000 visitors from more than 30 countries and regions, will reinforce China’s connections with the rest of Asia and strengthen business cooperation to drive further growth and development of the aluminium industry. It was in March that US President Donald Trump approved the ‘safeguard’ duties of 10% on certain aluminium products, which have huge implications for China’s aluminium industry. At the Asia Summit at Aluminium China 2018, representatives from...
Researchers from Purdue University have created a high-strength aluminium alloy coatings that may change some manufacturing processes for the aerospace and automobile industries. The Purdue team, led by Xinghang Zhang, a professor in Purdue’s School of Materials Engineering, developed the superstrong materials. Image Source: Purdue University Zhang said: “We have created a very durable and lightweight aluminium alloy that is just as strong as, and possibly stronger than, stainless steel. Our aluminium alloy is lightweight and provides flexibility that stainless steel does not in many applications.” Another member of the Purdue team, Yifan Zhang, said the aluminium alloy could be used for manufacturing wear- and corrosion-resistant automobile parts such as engines and coatings for optical...
In a communication to the World Trade Organisation (WTO), India expressed its willingness to join Norway as a third party member in WTO dispute consultations over US’ decision to impose higher tariffs on aluminium and steel products imports. India had dragged the United States earlier as well to the World Trade Organisation for dispute settlement mechanism over the imposition of higher customs duties. "India hereby notifies its desire to join the consultations requested by the Government of Norway...with respect to certain measures imposed by the US to adjust imports of steel and aluminium into the US...and exempting certain selected WTO members from the measures," the WTO said. An official from India further clarified that the country, being a notable steel and aluminium products...
More than 60 American companies representing dairy farmers and cheesemakers in a letter have asked US President Donald Trump to suspend high steel and aluminium tariffs on Mexico until renegotiations over a regional free trade treaty are completed. Calling Mexico the "largest and most reliable market" for American dairy products, the letter said on Tuesday said that Mexico's retaliatory tariffs -- some of which are expected to be as high as 25 per cent in July -- on American-made cheeses, among other products will "diminish demand for high-quality dairy products produced across the US". "Worse yet, our competitors in the European Union will use this opportunity in the wake of their recently concluded Free Trade Agreement with Mexico to gain market share," the letter cited by Efe news...
The Indo-Italian MetalHub event, to be held in Milan on July 2, is expected to mark a new definition of cooperation between the intellectual inquiry and industrial districts of Italy and India as it is going to witness a significant moment of interaction between the two countries in the field of metals and materials engineering. The initiative is dedicated to the industrial and cultural resources of India and features a special focus on the State of Odisha in Eastern India, where a large part of India’s mineral and metallurgical resources are concentrated. The event will be hosted at the Belvedere of Palazzo Lombardia, in the Panoramic Room on the 39th floor of the Regione Lombardia Headquarters in Milan: Italy’s highest conference room. It will be a day of dealing with crucial issues,...
Aluminium Bahrain (Alba), the Bahrain-based international aluminium smelter, has commissioned the state-of-the-art Batch homogenizer in Casthouse 3 for specialised billet requirements. The company said that the new Batch homogenizer was supplied by Hertwich Engineering, a company of the SMS group. Image Source: Alba Batch homogenizer is the best-suited technology for the heat treatment of various 6xxx, 1xxx and 3xxx billet alloys for automotive and precision tubing applications, it said in its press release. The advanced technology of reverse air circulation, fully automated controls for step heating and controlled cooling boosts company’s capabilities to achieve outstanding metallurgical aspects in its products and improved productivity of billets. Alba’s Chief Executive Officer Tim...
According to a report from Trinidad Guardian citing a “secret” Ministry of Energy document, Trinidad and Tobago could expect $23 billion in investments in the downstream energy and aluminium sector over the next four years. The projects have the potential to create thousands of jobs during construction and open up more permanent jobs during operations. The document indicates six projects that National Energy is actively pursuing and is planning to complete. The downstream projects are in the field of methanol, polyolefin, aluminium and melamine. The projects list includes an aluminium ingot processing wire and cable plant and an aluminium ingot processing plant to make flat rolled product complex. The list also includes a solar park cluster comprising four plants and wind mills. The...
The US Army Research Laboratory (ARL) plans to issue a license to its new discovery of aluminium-based nanogalvanic alloy powder. When combined with water or any water-based liquid, this alloy powder reacts to produce on-demand hydrogen for power generation without a catalyst. "This powder-based alloy includes material that disrupts the formation of an encapsulating aluminium oxide layer, allowing for the continuous production of hydrogen that can be used at the point of need to power a wide range of devices via fuel cells and internal combustion," said Dr. Anit Giri, a scientist with the lab's Weapons and Materials Research Directorate. "The powder can be easily manufactured to scale, and can be conveniently and safely transported via tablets or vacuum pouches, thus eliminating reliance...
As updated by SMM, buyers in the spot aluminium markets in east and south China held back from purchasing on Monday June 25 as future prices fell in the morning. Transactions in Shanghai were mostly heard at RMB 14,080-14,110 per tonne with discounts of RMB 50-40 per tonne against the SHFE 1807 contract. In Wuxi and Hangzhou, transactions were done at RMB 14,080-14,110 per tonne and RMB14,130-14,140 per tonne, respectively. Below table shows today's ingot prices in the major China markets: In Guangdong, most transactions were heard at RMB 14,200-14,230 per tonne with Guangdong-Shanghai price spreads at about RMB 140 per tonne. Increased orders from downstream processers in Guangdong in comparison to east China led to such better pricing. Downstream processers in south China market have...
Emirates Global Aluminium announced that it has inked a five-year agreement with Aludium for the supply of rolling slab. Rolling slab is processed into plate, sheet and foil products which are used in automotive, printing and packaging industries. EGA's Al Taweelah site has the capacity to produce some 400,000 tonnes of rolling slab per year. Image Source:Emirates Global Aluminium “We are pleased that Aludium has chosen to secure these long-term supplies of rolling slab from EGA. We look forward to reliably supplying Aludium with the high-quality rolling slab they need to make their products over the years to come,” Walid Al Attar, Chief Marketing Officer of EGA said. Arnaud De Weert, Chief Executive Officer of Aludium, said: “We are pleased to have secured a multi-year agreement for...
U.S. boat makers Wednesday urged President Donald Trump to immediately withdraw high tariffs on alloy aluminum sheet imports from China, saying these "harmful policies" will cost American industries dearly. "The administration claims their trade policies aim to level the playing field for American workers, but instead these actions could hobble thriving industries like recreational boating," said Thom Dammrich, president of the Chicago-based National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA). According to the NMMA, after the administration's announcement on Monday, common alloy aluminum sheet imports from China will now face a total tariff of at least 210 percent, which includes a 167 percent anti-dumping duty, a countervailing duty of at least 33 percent, and a 10 percent Section 232...
The European Commission announced on Wednesday, June 20, that the EU’s retaliatory tariffs on list of products in response to the US tariffs on aluminium and steel will come into effect on Friday 22 June. Donald Trump hit the European Union with tariffs of 10 percent on aluminium and 25 percent on steel imports earlier this month. EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmström said: "We did not want to be in this position. However, the unilateral and unjustified decision of the US to impose steel and aluminium tariffs on the EU means that we are left with no other choice.” “The rules of international trade, which we have developed over the years hand in hand with our American partners, cannot be violated without a reaction from our side. Our response is measured, proportionate and fully in line...
Overseas firms in Philippines, affected by the US-China trade war, are now seeking reprieve from higher US tariffs on imported aluminium and steel, according to Trade and Industry Secretary Ramon M. Lopez. These firms include Sunpower Inc., which produces solar panels for exports and other aluminium and steel products. According to Lopez, Sunpower has already submitted a request for exemption. Being a major exporter of solar panels, the company fears that its exports are likely to be affected by the 30 per cent tariff on year one down to 15 per cent on year four. In imposing a higher tariff on this product, the US had invoked Section 201 of US Trade Act, which allows a country to enforce duties on products that could injure or threaten to injure the country’s domestic industries. In...
Hind Aluminium Industries Ltd., a manufacturer of aluminium alloy and electrical grade wire rods, has announced its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended 31st March 2018. The company’s net profit registered INR 1.78 crore for the quarter ended March 31, 2018, from INR 0.33 crore for the quarter ended March 31, 2017. Hind Aluminium’s net sales stood at INR 224.79 crore for the fourth quarter ended March 31, up from INR 139.10 crore in the same period last year. EPS increased to INR 2.82 crore for the fourth quarter ended March 31, 2018, from INR 0.52 crore for the period ended March 31, 2017. For the full year FY2017-18, net profit increased 65 per cent to INR 8.76 crore. Net profit was INR 5.31 crore in FY2016-17. For FY2017-18, net sales grew to INR 710, up 42 per...
The U.S. Department of Commerce has determined that imports of common alloy aluminium sheet from China are being sold at less than fair value in the US market. The Department calculated preliminary antidumping margins of 167.16 percent of the value of the imported aluminium sheet from China, the Aluminum Association said on Monday. Heidi Brock, President and CEO of the Aluminum Association said: “The association and its member companies that produce common alloy aluminium sheet are very pleased with this finding that again underscores the Commerce Department’s commitment to combatting unfair trade.” “For too long, the Government of China has been unfairly and illegally subsidizing its aluminium industry, leading to massive market overcapacity and challenging producers across the value...
China’s response to President Donald Trump’s tariffs with extra customs duties over the weekend pulled the US-China trade war tensions to the boiling point. Accusing China on Friday, June 15, 2018, with an allegation of stealing intellectual property from US technology companies, Trump decided to impose a 25 per cent tariff on US$50 billion of Chinese goods, including industrially-significant technologies. The US President said, “This includes goods related to China's Made in China 2025 strategic plan to dominate the emerging high-technology industries that will drive future economic growth for China, but hurt economic growth for the United States and many other countries." In response, China’s foreign ministry promised to impose retaliatory tariffs on US products with the same intensity,...
South Korea imported US$ 44.3 billion worth of good in May 2018. The country also imports aluminium wire from the global market every year. Global trade data indicates that the country will import 41 per cent less aluminium wire in the first half of 2018, compared to the same period last year. The downward trend is expected to continue in the second half of 2018. India and China were the top exporters of aluminium wire in 2017. India and China exported about 2618 and 2457 tonnes of aluminium wire to South Korea. The country imported major chunk of aluminium wire from Bahrain (2207 tonnes), Vietnam (1986), United Arab Emirates (1585 tonnes) and Malaysia (1605 tonnes). As per global import-export data, South Korea is estimated to import 5441 tonnes of aluminium wire in the half of 2018,...
