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...
Grow with
AL Circle
China’s imports of aluminium alloy increased 9 per cent year-on year in March 2018, reaching 4,893 tonnes last month, according to the import-export data released by General Customs. The country’s total aluminium alloy import for the 3-months period stood at 14,961 tonnes, up1 per cent YoY. Data Source: www.metal.com Taiwan (China) exported the largest amount of aluminium alloy. China’s imports from Taiwan (China) stood at 1,227 tonnes, an increase of 35 per cent YoY in March. The United Arab Emirates exported 764 tonnes of aluminium alloy to China last month. Other top countries which supplied aluminium alloy to China were Malaysia, South Korea, Venezuela, Russia, Malaysia, South Korea and others. China’s aluminium alloy exports continued to decline in March 2018. Total exports of...
One of the world’s leading semi-fabricated aluminium producer Kaiser Aluminium Corporation announced financial and production results for the first quarter of 2018. The company reported net income of $26 million in Q1 2018, from $36 million in the same period previous year. “First quarter 2018 results were driven by margin compression from escalating metal and freight costs while growing automotive and industrial demand and continued improvement in manufacturing cost efficiency provided some benefit to cushion the impact on adjusted EBITDA margin,” said Jack A. Hockema, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “We initiated and will continue to pursue additional pricing actions to mitigate margin pressure from increasing costs. However, realization of pricing often lags the timing of...
Kobe Steel announced consolidated financial results for fiscal 2017. The reported profit of 63.19 billion yen for the year ended March 31, from a loss of 23.05 billion yen a year earlier. Net sales increased more than 10 per cent to 1.9 trillion yen in FY2017. “Solid demand in steel, aluminium and copper, as well as construction machineries helped boost our sales,” Senior Managing Executive Officer Yoshihiko Katsukawa told a news conference. Kobe Steel, a supplier of aluminium parts to manufacturers of cars, planes and trains, said that the sale of aluminium rolled products was higher than the previous year.” Although demand for can stock for beverage cans was similar to the previous year, demand in the automotive sector increased.” Aluminium and copper sales increased 8.1 per cent to...
Constellium published results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2018. The company reported revenue of €1.4 billion in Q1 2018, up 4% compared to the first quarter of last year due to higher shipments and aluminium prices, partially offset by foreign exchange translation. Adjusted EBITDA increased 26% to €117 million on improved performance by each of its segments. Constellium posted shipments of 388 thousand metric tons, up 4% compared to the first quarter of 2017 on higher shipments in each of its segments. Net loss of €24 million compares to net income of €13 million in the first quarter of 2017. Jean-Marc Germain, Constellium’s Chief Executive Officer said, “Constellium delivered strong results in the first quarter of 2018. Steady end market demand and solid operational...
Industry 4.0 or the fourth industrial revolution is a name given to the current systems and technologies for automation and data exchange in the manufacturing sector. It includes cyber-physical systems, the Internet of things, cloud computing and cognitive computing. Industry experts and solution providers are working on building industry 4.0 architecture for the aluminium industry covering its production stages and full lifecycle supply chain management. The Future Aluminium Forum in Milan intends to discuss what industry 4.0 means to the future of the aluminium industry and how it can assist in its quest for greater efficiencies. The Future Aluminium Forum is scheduled to take place on 8-9 May, at Hotel Michelangelo, Milan, Italy. Delegates can join this debate; hear from experts and...
Saudi Arabia-based Abdul Latif Jameel has entered into a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Japanese company Kosei Aluminium to explore production of aluminium wheels and components. MoU will look at the feasibility of a joint venture to manufacture products in Saudi Arabia. The feasibility study is expected to complete by 2019. The agreement will see both companies study the potential of utilizing Saudi Arabia’s rich aluminium deposits and competitive energy costs through a joint venture. This would contribute to the development of the manufacturing industry in Saudi Arabia – a key priority of Saudi Vision 2030. Fady Mohammed Abdul Latif Jameel, Deputy President & Vice Chairman, Abdul Latif Jameel International said: “This MoU has the potential to develop into an exciting joint...
Novelis Inc., the world leader in aluminum rolling and recycling, has named Paul Banks as Plant Manager for the recently announced $300 million automotive aluminum sheet manufacturing facility in Guthrie, Kentucky. Banks assumes the role of Plant Manager after previously serving as Unit Manager at Logan Aluminum, a Novelis joint venture in nearby Logan, Kentucky. With more than 25 years of experience in the aluminum rolling industry, Banks will oversee the construction and development of the greenfield facility as Novelis prepares the site to safely ramp up production for automotive customers. As Plant Manager, Banks will be responsible for building a team of approximately 125 employees to operate the facility and establish important partnerships for Novelis with local business,...
Aluminium Association, the leading voice for aluminium industry representing the US and other foreign-based companies and their suppliers throughout the value chain, right from primary production to value-added products and recycling, has written a letter to US President Donald Trump on April 24, 2018, asking for permanent, quota-free exemptions from imported aluminium tariff under administration’s section 232 for all responsible trading partner countries. In the letter, Aluminium Association president & CEO Heidi Brock says, “As you continue to evaluate and implement the Section 232 remedy, I urge you to grant permanent exemptions – without quotas – for our aluminium trading partners that operate as market economies. I also encourage you to engage China to address structural aluminium...
According to the report by WTO on Monday April 23, 2018, The European Union has formally made a request to join discussions over US imported aluminium and steel tariffs, initiated by China at the World Trade Organisation (WTO). China had initiated the dispute earlier this month amid tensions between Beijing and Washington over US imported aluminium and steel tariffs. Moreover, Trump had introduced extra tariffs on US$60 in Chinese exports over allegations of intellectual property theft. The statement published on Monday reads, "The European Union (the EU) hereby notifies the Government of the United States, the Government of China, and the Dispute Settlement Body that, in the light of its substantial trade interest, it desires to be joined in the consultations requested by China in a...
The global aluminium powders, pastes, and flakes market is estimated to grow at a compound annual growth rate of over 5 per cent during 2018-2022, according to Technavio market research analysts. The aluminium paste product segment accounted for nearly 39 per cent of the market in 2017. Asia-Pacific region accounted for 45 per cent of the market share last year. The demand from the construction sector is projected to boost the growth in the global aluminium powders, pastes, and flakes market during the forecast period. As shown in data, Czech Republic imported 3576 tonnes of aluminium powder and flakes in 2016. The total cost of import was USD 10 million. The country imported 3294 tonnes of aluminium powder and flakes in 2017. The country’s import of aluminium powder and flakes is...
AluMore in conjunction with their partner company, Dynamic Concept successfully completed an upgrade to the casting pit at Sierra Aluminum in Riverside, California. Following 3‐D laser inspection of the casting pit, a new guide rail system was installed along with a new casting platen and cylinder mounting system. The project, intended to improve the straightness of the cast product was successfully executed with the collaboration between Dynamic Concept Engineers and the Foundry Maintenance team at Sierra and restarting of production was achieved three days ahead of schedule. AluMore is a casthouse equipment supply company based in Riverside, California focused on the modernization, upgrading and optimization of existing casting facilities. Dynamic Concept is a technology and equipment...
With the US refusing to roll back its imported aluminium and steel tariffs from India, the latter dragged the matter to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) on April 17, 2018, requesting to consult with the United States over the tariffs and compensation for losses. Like China and European Union, India claimed the tariffs the “safeguards measures” under the WTO rules and asked for compensation for the losses, accordingly. But as per the current report on April 19, 2018, the United States has declined India’s request for consultation, stating that its tariffs on Indian aluminium and steel are not any safeguard measures. In its submission to the WTO on Thursday, the US said that the country, however, would have discussed the matter with India, provided the latter did not claim the tariffs the...
President Donald Trump’s tariffs on imported aluminium and steel are causing disruptions even to the manufacturers in the United States who buy those metals and thus, asking for relief to the US government. The Trump government imposed these tariffs last month with an aim to protect its domestic industry which was likely facing harm because of an increase in metal import. However, on repeated request for permanent exemption, the United States granted temporary exemptions to some of its important allies like European Union, Canada, Mexico, Argentina, Australia, Brazil and South Korea until May 1, 2018. Steel and aluminium consuming companies in the United States are also allowed to seek exemption from the Commerce Department on providing appropriate evidence that they can’t obtain the...
In recent weeks the members of the Aluminum Extruders Council (AEC) have seen unprecedented disruption to the primary aluminum supply chain. Last month, the Trump Administration announced 10% tariffs on all primary aluminum products imported into the United States as a result of the Department of Commerce’s 232 Investigation into the national security impacts from such imports. Significant shifts in both pricing and supply began to take hold across the industry. Extruders began to find ways to source metal not covered by these orders, and the London Metal Exchange and Midwest Premium both seemed to swing widely each week as the industry watched the orders take hold of the market. Just when things seemed to settle a bit, sanctions against the Russian oligarchy were announced. Consequently,...
After China and European Union who have already corresponded with the World Trade Organisation (WTO) over safeguards from the US aluminium and steel tariffs, now Russia joins the squad too. On April 20, 2018, Russia has approached the WTO arguing that 25 per cent tariff on steel and 10 per cent tariff on aluminium as imposed by the US is nothing but the “safeguard measures”, but without abiding by any of the rules set by the WTO. According to the WTO, safeguards are when the import of a product is temporarily restricted with the aim to protect a specific domestic industry from an increase in imports, which otherwise threatens to cause irreversible harm to the industry. The safeguard measures are allowed to be used subject to various conditions. One of them is, the country wishing to put...
Triangles Cycling Equipment has taken the next major step in its launch of aluminium frame production in Europe. After the initial start of the production in October 2016 with a small batch of test frames, the manufacturer gradually increased volumes as well as the complexity of frames produced, including e-bikes. Right from the start it was one of the main goals of Triangles to combine the e-bike frame production with hi-end frames for conventional bicycles. “But we expect that e-bike frames will take up 70% of our total annual production of 500,000 units,” said Triangles General Manager Luis Pedro during Bike Europe’s visit last week . “We assume to reach full capacity by 2020.” According to the initial planning of the three Portuguese Triangles investors; Ciclo Fapril, Rodi and Miranda...
Spain, the 17th largest exporter in the world, exported US$320.1 billion worth of products around the globe in 2017, up by 3 per cent since 2013 and up by 13.6 per cent from 2016 to 2017. Spain’s aluminium bar exports accounts for 3.8 per cent of the total exports of the country. The country exports a substantial amount of aluminium bar rods and profiles globally, Spain’s exports of aluminium bar rods and profiles is forecasted to increase considerably in the first half of 2018. According to available export-import data, Spain exported 97198 tonnes of aluminium bar rods and profiles in the second half of 2017. The country exported aluminium bar rods and profiles worth USD 40.5 million. Aluminium bar rods and profiles export by Spain is expected to rise reaching 119480 tonnes by June end....
The U.S. Department of Commerce said it has made a preliminary determination that imports of common alloy aluminium sheet from China are being subsidized. The Department will instruct U.S. Customs and Border Protection to require U.S. importers of common alloy aluminium sheet from China to deposit estimated countervailing duties at the time of importation, according to the Aluminum Association. “The Aluminum Association and its members are pleased with the Commerce Department’s preliminary findings of subsidies and commend Secretary Ross’s leadership in self-initiating this investigation to vigorously enforce the U.S. trade laws,” said Heidi Brock, President and CEO of the Aluminum Association. “This is an important first step to begin restoring a level playing field for U.S. aluminium...
