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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Rifeng, the global leading piping system supplier in China is ready to build the first aluminium pipe factory in Ethiopia by spending US$13.8 million. The company’s aim is to expand its business by tapping into the existing market in South Africa. Till date, Ethopia, despite being a prime importer of aluminium pipes, has not involved in exportation activities. Its inability to build the industrial sector has robbed the economic stability and put pressure on the currency. Rifeng Ethiopia and Rifeng China are now together looking forward to changing the trajectory of the narrative through their upcoming industrial sector. Their goal is not only to serve the local market but to turn Ethiopia into a global exporter of aluminium pipes to earn foreign exchange and strengthen the currency. This...
Ever since the United States declared additional 25 per cent tariff on steel and 10 per cent on aluminium imported from its three important trading allies like the European Union, Canada and Mexico, the latter started planning retaliatory measures against the US. Yesterday, on June 14, 2018, all the European Union countries unanimously backed passing retaliatory measures on 2.8 billion euros (US$3.3) worth of US products, said the European Union sources. However, the European Commission is yet to adopt the measures. The next scheduled meeting is on June 20 and the measures are expected to be in place by late June and early July. On June 7, the European Union had declared to impose 25 per cent duties on US goods such as orange juice, bourbon, jeans, and motorcycles in response to the US’...
Constellium announced today that it has expanded the capability of its University Technology Center (UTC) at Brunel University London and established an R&D Center within the campus to transition technology from the laboratory to its production facilities around the world. Opened in 2016, the UTC first focused on aluminium alloy development, employing dedicated industrial scale casting and extrusion equipment to reduce the time to bring a new alloy to market by at least 50%. Now, Constellium will form, join and test prototype automotive components such as Crash Management Systems, body structure components and battery enclosures for electric and hybrid vehicles from state-of-the-art facilities on the Brunel campus. “The University Technology Center has been a tremendous benefit for...
According to Aluminum Association’s latest highlights, imports of ingot, scrap and mill products into the U.S. and Canada (excluding crossborder trade) totaled 397,000 tonnes in April 2018, slightly up from the amount in April 2017. Including scrap, which accounted for roughly 51.7 percent of reported aluminum exports in April, exports totaled 318,000 tonnes, up 21% over a year ago. Excluding scrap, exports totaled 154,000 tonnes, up 18% percent over last year. Exports of scrap increased 23.0 percent year-over-year. Through the first four months of 2018, imports were up 5.1 percent to 1.7 million tonnes, while exports were up 15.3% to 1.1 million pounds. The Association’s “Index of Net New Orders of Aluminum Mill Products” for May 2018 increased 8.8% over April 2018. Orders for flat roll...
Hazelett Corporation confirms that the Hazelett Twin-belt Continuous Casting Process will be utilized for the JW Aluminum expansion announced today. “This new facility will be a model for the most cost-effective and energy efficient sheet production in North America,” said Mr. David Hazelett, President. “And, it will significantly ease the projected shortage of aluminum coil in the United States.” The Hazelett Model AS2000 casting machine being supplied is capable of producing 2000 mm wide strip at approximately 50 metric tonnes per hour. Alloy capabilities include 1XXX, 3XXX, 5XXX, and 6XXX series. “JW Aluminum’s commitment to building the world’s best casting and rolling facility has been reflected in their intensive planning efforts. We are excited to be a part of this project,” Mr....
JW Aluminum, a manufacturer of flat-rolled aluminium products used in a variety of consumer and commercial applications, has announced that it will invest $255 million in an expansion of its Mount Holly flat rolled aluminium plant in Goose Creek, South Carolina. The expansion includes the construction of new 220,000 square foot building and the installation of green, state-of-the-art technology. Image Source:JW Aluminum “It’s an exciting new chapter in JW Aluminum’s story and a considerable progression in our strategic journey. As a domestic supplier, we’ve prevailed in an extremely challenging competitive environment. The outcome of this endeavor will empower us to produce superior product for our customers, provide increased value to our stakeholders and serve as a preferred supplier...
European Aluminium welcomes the G7’s communication stressing the “urgent need to avoid excess capacity” in the aluminium sector and the push to develop a stronger international rules on market-distorting industrial subsidies and trade-distorting actions by state-owned enterprises. European Aluminium believes that both the modernisation of international organisations and the creation of a global multilateral and governmental Forum on Aluminium Overcapacity are necessary to prevent damages to its well-integrated value chains. “The recognition by G7 countries of aluminium overcapacity driven by China is the right step to address this global problem which is putting immense pressure on workers and producers across the world. The year-on-year increase of Chinese primary and semi-fabricated...
According to the latest report from US Geological survey, total imports aluminium by the US for consumption in the first quarter of 2018 remained unchanged from those in the same period in 2017. Imports of crude metal and alloys, and scrap by the US decreased by 5% and 11%, respectively, but imports of semi-finished products increased by 30%. Total exports of aluminium increased by 8% during the first 3 months of 2018 compared with those of the same period in 2017. Exports of crude metal and alloys, semi-finished products, and scrap increased by 12%, 6% and 9%, respectively, compared with those in the same period of 2017. Canada continued to be the leading source of imported aluminium materials, supplying 41% of all aluminium imports during the first 3 months of 2018, followed by Russia...
GlassPoint Solar, the leading supplier of solar energy to the oil and gas industry, has partnered with Oman’s largest aluminium producer, National Aluminium Products Company (Napco), to obtain aluminium materials for its solar plant project Miraah. The company’s aim is to develop a solar hub in Oman while generating sustainable in-country value (ICV) within the Sultanate through this partnership. Steven Moss, GlassPoint’s Chief Executive Officer said in a press release, “We are proud to be partnering with NAPCO in developing our ‘Made in Oman’ solar supply chain. Creating opportunities for local companies and contractors is part of our growth strategy within the Sultanate. Together with our partners, we are working to establish Oman as an industrial hub for renewable energy.” Since the...
Constantia Teich, which carries out rolling of aluminium foil to basic and final conversion in Weinburg, Austria, has become the first aluminium foil roller and packaging converter and first European company to be certified against Aluminium Stewardship Initiative’s Performance Standard for environmental, social and governance performance. The Constantia Flexibles group supplies its products to numerous multinational corporations and local market leaders in the food, pet food, pharmaceuticals and beverage industries. Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) today announced the third certification issued against its newly launched standards for responsible production, sourcing and stewardship of aluminium. ASI Certification of the Constantia Teich facility signifies that Constantia...
Despite rising trade tensions with the United States, aluminium exports in China increased to its highest in almost 3-1/2 years in May, Reuters reported. China exported 485,000 tonnes of unwrought aluminium and aluminium products last month, the highest since December 2014, the General Administration of Customs said. Unwrought aluminium and aluminium product exports were up 7.5 percent from 451,000 tonnes in April and up 12.8 percent from 430,000 tonnes in May 2017. Paul Adkins, Managing Director of consultancy AZ China, said, the country’s aluminium exports were holding up “against the odds,” amid the U.S. import tariff on Chinese products. The United States imposed a 10 per cent tariff on aluminium imports, effective from March 23 as U.S. President Donald Trump sought to protect...
Laminazione Sottile expands its productive process and inaugurates a new longitudinal slitting line for better slitting quality of its rolled aluminium products. Laminazione Sottile manufactures rolled aluminium products in different alloys and dimensions, with gauges from 6 microns to 6 mm, for a wide range of applications. The company also provides aluminium coils, sheets and circles in different alloys and dimensions. The company release says the new machinery will enable the plant to cut out narrower aluminum strips, with a remarkable improvement in the slitting quality. The new machinery will also reduce the risk of smudging considerably. With this new slitting line, Laminazione Sottile is improving its service and it is catering to the changing requirements of multilayer pipe...
The Aluminum Extruders Council (AEC) has updated the Aluminum Extrusion Manual, one of the Council’s most important and popular resources on the AEC website. The revised Aluminum Extrusion Manual version 4.2, features new and previously unpublished content, as well as expanded and updated information. The updated Manual includes a new section covering aluminum extrusion’s sustainability, expanded information on fabrication, and a discussion of specifying microstructure as a means of achieving part performance for demanding applications. The new "Sustainability" section discusses some of the ways that the use of extruded aluminum components are reducing the environmental impact of buildings and automobiles, and outlines actions that extrusion users can take to further reduce the...
The European Union announced on Wednesday that it will impose additional duties on certain U.S. products starting from July in response to U.S. tariffs imposed on European aluminium and steel.Trump imposed 25 per cent tariffs on imported steel and 10 per cent on aluminium from the EU on June 1. The European Union will put extra tariffs on US products including bourbon, orange juice, motorcycles, blue jeans and a variety of steel products worth up to 2.8 billion euros ($3.3 billion) "The new duties start applying in July.It is a measured and proportionate response to the unilateral and illegal decision taken by the United States,” European Commission Vice President Maros Sefcovic told reporters. “The Commission expects to conclude the relevant procedure in coordination with member states...
ATEK Metal Technologies, a permanent mold foundry, is expanding its plant and technical capabilities to keep up with increasing demand for aluminium castings. The expansion is expected to be completed by the end of 2018.ATEK sells thousands of aluminium castings each day from its New Hampton plant and recently completed an expansion of its metal casting, heat treatment and finished machining capabilities. Image Source:http:atekmetaltechnologies.com “We added 40 percent to our low pressure permanent mold casting capacity to keep up with our accelerating growth,” said Tom Christie, President of ATEK Metal Technologies. “We also have added state-of-the-art precision machining capabilities to be able to provide our customers with cast and machined finished components.” The company is also...
Constellium N.V. announced the release of its 2017 Business and Sustainability Report, including results and progress updates on its 2020 sustainability targets. The company press release says, they conducted a new Materiality Assessment to ensure their sustainability programs remain aligned with the stakeholders’ expectations. This Assessment confirmed that their stakeholders have an overall positive perception of Constellium’s sustainability performance. The company is defining a greenhouse gas reduction program and have also conducted a full Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) model of their activities and products. The model covers all other phases of the products’ life cycle, such as metal sourcing, product usage phase, and end of life recycling. “Constellium’s 2017 Business and...
Growing popularity of lighter and more fuel efficient vehicles has created new demands on cast aluminium parts and associated production processes. Melting furnaces now have to handle a mix of large flat cast parts and smaller thin-walled material. The number of aluminium die-casting structural parts in automotive manufacturing is increasing constantly and more and more individual parts are being combined to form integral aluminium parts. This resulted in a need to handle, make and process bigger combined and structural parts. StrikoWestofen, a Norican technology, has developed several products for casting structural parts. One of them is the StrikoMelter “BigStruc”, a melting furnace that can melt complete stacks of pig iron just as well as with small, thin-walled return material. Not...
Inductotherm - Banyard has announced the successful contract for supply to Hydro Precision Tubing Tonder (HPTT) plant in Denmark, with imminent dispatch of 2x Banyard LFi Smart systems, which consists of 2x Zero Friction, Multi-layer, Multi Zone coil Induction Heaters for 9” aluminium billets, to work with HTPP’s P25 press upgrade programme - The Heaters are each 750 kW and the system includes Cold Billet Positioning Systems, Overhead Manipulator and full Control Interface to the press. The HPTT project team has worked closely with the Banyard project team to fully assemble the equipment in UK, to facilitate a quick install in Denmark. In the forthcoming weeks representatives of HPTT will be visiting the Banyard manufacturing facility at Inductotherm Heating & Welding in Basingstoke UK,...
