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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Shiloh Industries announced the opening of a new aluminium casting plant in Nantong to serve the growing electric vehicle market in China. It will focus on manufacturing new, innovative 9-speed, aluminium transmission carriers and reverse carriers through Shiloh's proprietary, high-integrity casting technology. “We have experienced significant global demand for our lightweighting solutions and continue to invest resources to meet this growing need," said David Jaeger, senior vice president and managing director, CastLight. The new aluminium casting plant enhances company’s current aluminium and magnesium casting capabilities in Asia, Europe and North America. The 150,000 square foot facility is located in the Jiangsu Nantong Science & Technology Industrial Zone. "Our growth at this...
Trade talks between the United States and China, led by US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Chinese Vice-Premier Liu He on Friday, May 5, 2018, resulted in not many tangible achievements other than both the nations agreed upon having more dialogue in the future over US-China trade war. A list of dramatic concessions demanded by the US at the meeting that would possibly challenge the core elements of China’s economic system and its ambitions for future development is even anticipated by the trade analysts to have no solution to the trade war between the two large economies. In addition to demanding state subsidies halt from China for industries under its ‘Made in China 2025’ plan, the United States has even asked China to solve US's trade deficit by at least US$200 billion by the end...
Aluminium downstream players started stockpiling raw material in the last week and continuing to do so until this week, resulting in active trading at aluminium spot market across East and South China, Shanghai Metal Market research found. Traded prices for aluminium billet processing fees, however, have dipped to as low as RMB 700 per tonne last week on Friday, May 4, 2018, with fewer transactions than aluminium ingots, SMM learned. This was primarily due to the increasing use of aluminium ingots in processing plants than the aluminium billets because of higher processing fees than the former. Aluminium rod processing fees, on the other hand, have surged in Guangdong to RMB 850 per tonne last week from RMB 500 per tonne in mid-April, as a consequence of a plunge in aluminium billet...
AMAG, the leading Austrian premium supplier of high-quality aluminium cast and flat rolled products, which has been a long term partner with Boeing has renewed its multi-year contract with the company for the supply of aluminium flat rolled products for its commercial airplanes. AMAG flat rolled products will be used especially for the manufacturing of the fuselage and wings in all current Boeing commercial aircrafts. The new agreement will expand AMAG’s yearlong association with Boeing and cement AMAG’s position as a leading material supplier to the global aircraft industry. AMAG has expanded its product portfolio and production capacity with the new hot and cold rolling mill complex and casting facility in Ranshofen. The company is gearing up to leverage on the projected growth...
The European Union has decided to pursue a limited trade deal with the United States after Washington grants it a full exemption from imported aluminium and steel tariffs, reported the EU’s top trade official on Friday, May 4, 2018. "I would say that a more limited agreement would be the easiest one if we want to get results quickly," said EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstrom in an interview to AFP, a few days after Washington extended aluminium and steel tariffs exemptions on Europe and other allies until June 1, 2018. According to Malmstrom, a US trade deal would be totally different from the attempted and highly ambitious Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) deal. It will require a lengthy scoping process and unanimous approval of EU member states for the talks to...
Gränges, a leading global supplier of rolled aluminium products for heat exchanger applications, will invest USD 26 million in its aluminium foil production facility in Newport, Arkansas. The investment will upgrade existing rolling mills and equipment. The production at the site will begin in the first quarter of 2019. Gränges CEO Johan Menckel said: "This is a good opportunity for us to upgrade and use the assets we already own, and address an attractive market niche which has been mainly served through imports. We expect the investment to make a positive contribution to earnings in 2019 and beyond.” The aluminium foil facility produced aluminium foil for consumer applications until 2015 and has subsequently been idle with very limited business in surface treatment. The facility was...
Lincoln Industries, one of the leading provider of metal finishing services and manufactured finished products, has acquired affiliated Wisconsin-based businesses Southwest Metal Finishing and Inventix Manufacturing. Southwest Metal Finishing in New Berlin, Wisconsin is a decorative chrome plating and metal finishing company. Inventix Manufacturing in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin produces zinc and aluminum die castings. Southwest Metal Finishing also has facilities in Texas and Mexico. Together, the companies employ over 600 people. Marc LeBaron, CEO and chairman of Lincoln Industries, says the transaction expands Lincoln Industries capabilities and market reach, and will strengthen relationships with current customers. “The combination of our companies will drive substantial technological...
Aleris has signed a multi-year contract with Boeing to supply aluminium plate and sheet for the production of its various airplanes. With this contract Aleris' has reassured its status as a key supplier of aluminium rolled products to all major airplane manufacturers worldwide. Aleris has been supplying to the aerospace industry for more than 30 years. Aleris’ innovative materials are designed to meet the industry's highest quality standards. The aluminium plate and sheet supplied by Aleris will be used in applications across Boeing's commercial airplane models. Sean Stack, Aleris Chairman and CEO commented on the agreement, "Our strength lies in the combination of strategically located production facilities and a continuous focus on enhancing our product offering." "We are committed to...
AMAG Austria, a leading Austrian premium supplier of high-quality aluminium cast and flat rolled products reported results for Q1 2018. The market environment was positive during the first months of 2018; despite various developments like US import tariffs on aluminium, alumina production cut at Alunorte Brazil and US sanctions against Russia affecting price and supply. AMAG Austria Metall AG revenue grew by 2 % to EUR 263.2 million due to the higher aluminium price, although shipments by the AMAG Group were down by around 6 % year-on-year to 101,000 tonnes, mainly due to the planned upgrades in the Casting Division. EBITDA stood at EUR 38.9 million, down compared with EUR 43.4 million in the first quarter of 2017, due to higher start-up costs associated with the site expansion programme....
New Zealand to be slapped with aluminium and steel tariffs if they want to export to the US – declared the Trump government. While on one hand, the United States has reached agreements for permanent exemptions for some of its allies including Australia and extended reprieve for the EU, Canada, and Mexico until June 1, 2018; on the other, the country excluded New Zealand, South Africa and Japan from the relief. Although the decision did not appear as a big surprise to the New Zealand government, yet it felt like "a kick in the guts", said Employers and Manufacturers Association chief executive Kim Campbell. Expressing disappointment, he also said, “What we have trouble trying to figure out is the rather random nature of the countries that have been made exempt.” "It seems our closest...
Constellium announced that it will be the primary supplier of aluminium Auto Body Sheet for the new Mercedes-Benz CLS model, which was released at the 2017 Los Angeles Auto Show. This four-door coupe entered the market in March 2018. Constellium will provide the coils for the outer trunk lid panels and fenders of the Mercedes-Benz CLS. Constellium’s Surfalex, which offers high surface quality as well as specific hemming and roping properties, has been chosen by Mercedes to achieve the new pioneering structure and look set by Mercedes designers. Surfalex is the ideal material for demanding skin quality for closure parts and provides solutions for the most trendsetting design requests while contributing to lightweighting. “Constellium is proud to contribute to the new Mercedes-Benz CLS with...
Sheikh Sultan bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Executive Council Member of Abu Dhabi, inaugurated one-of-a-kind highly automated and flexible aluminium extrusion plant Taweelah Aluminium Extrusion Company (Talex) on Tuesday, May 1, 2018, at the Kizad Industrial City in Abu Dhabi. Formed through a joint venture between General Holding Corporation (Senaat) and privately-owned Gulf Extrusions Al Ghurair Group, Talex, spreading over 200,000 square meters, is the result of a US$240 million investment, with an estimated annual production capacity of 50,000 tonnes of aluminium profiles and 45,000 tonnes of aluminium billets for regional as well as international markets. The opening ceremony was attended by ministers, key government officials, as well as senior executives representing existing and...
European Aluminium, the voice of the entire aluminium value chain, regrets US decision to exempt Europe from the 10% tariff on aluminium products for only one month, starting today until the 1 June 2018. While the industry was requesting a permanent exclusion of tariffs, this short temporary extension provides no relief to the industry, which is already in a vulnerable state due to unsustainable increase of overcapacity in China in both the primary and semi-fabricated aluminium sectors. “Unfortunately, the future of our strongly interlinked transatlantic value chains is still clouded in uncertainty. Our industry needs stability to fully benefit from the growing demand for aluminium for strategic applications in packaging, mobility, construction and the electrical sector,” commented...
According to the preliminary estimates from the Aluminum Association say that aluminium demand in the United States and Canada (shipments by domestic producers plus imports) totalled an estimated 2.1 million tonnes through February 2018, up 6.1 per cent YoY. Demand for semi-fabricated (mill) products totalled 1.5 million tonnes, up 6.6 per cent. Apparent consumption (demand less exports) in domestic markets totalled an estimated 1.8 million tonnes, up 4.5 per cent YoY. Exports of aluminium ingot and mill products from the U.S. and Canada (excluding cross-border trade) totalled 554 million pounds through the first two months of 2018, up 20.1 per cent over like-2017, while imports were up 6.4 per cent to 1,575 million pounds. Demand for aluminium semi-fabricated (mill) products in the...
Among many other countries, South Africa had urged for an exemption from the US imported aluminium and steel tariffs claiming that its metal exports to the US is too marginal to pose any national security threat to the latter nor should affect the aluminium and steel manufacturers there. But unfortunately, the request has been disregarded by the Trump government. Although the United States has extended the exemptions for Canada, Mexico, and the European Union until June 1, 2018, and has reached agreements for permanent exemptions for Argentina, Australia and Brazil on Tuesday, May 1, 2018, it did not consider South Africa. South Africa’s Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) spokesperson Sidwell Medupe has expressed disappointment on this matter, saying that despite representing only 1.6...
U.S. President Donald Trump has postponed the imposition of steel and aluminum tariffs on Canada, the European Union and Mexico until June 1, and has reached agreements for permanent exemptions for Argentina, Australia and Brazil, the White House said on Monday. The decisions came just hours before temporary exemptions from the tariffs on these countries were set to expire at 12:01 a.m. (0401 GMT) on Tuesday. In a statement, the White House said the details of the deals with Brazil, Argentina and Australia would be finalized shortly, and it did not disclose terms. “The administration is also extending negotiations with Canada, Mexico, and the European Union for a final 30 days. In all of these negotiations, the administration is focused on quotas that will restrain imports, prevent...
Arconic Inc. reported revenues of $3.4 billion for the first quarter 2018, up 8% year over year. Organic revenue was up 4% year over year, driven by higher volumes in the aerospace engines, automotive, commercial transportation, building and construction, industrial and defence markets. Net income stood at $143 million compared to $322 million in the first quarter 2017. First quarter 2018 Operating income was $333 million, up 18% year over year. Operating income excluding special items was $345 million, down 12% year over year due to higher aluminium prices and performance shortfalls in Rings, Disks and Global Rolled Products operations Arconic Chief Executive Officer Chip Blankenship said, “In the first quarter, Arconic delivered solid organic revenue growth and free cash flow in line...
Temporary exemptions from US imported aluminium and steel tariffs are about to come to an end on Tuesday, May 1, 2018. So, the Trump administration has decided to extend it to some of its allies, but not all, said Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross in an interview in Washington on late Saturday, April 28, 2018. However, the names of the countries that would be spared from the tariffs have not been declared yet by the Commerce Secretary. Ross in the interview said, further announcement will be made just before the May 1 deadline for the duties to kick in. He also said nations have been asked to accept import quotas in return for tariff-free access of the metals into the US. As the last date of exemption validity is approaching close, it is fuelling tensions among some of the US’s strongest...
