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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Located at Cleveland, the reputed aluminium firm Aleris International, Inc. announced its result for the final quarter of 2017, as well as the full year. Both the results indicated an overall downfall. Certain tax items, peak start-up expenses, and write-offs from the sale of the company aluminium recycling business bear criticisms for the fall, among many other factors. Results for 4QFY17 The firm shipped 184 thousand tonnes of finished products in the final quarter of the year, slightly low year-on-year from the contemporary period of the prior year totalling 189 thousand tonnes. However, the revenue in the fourth quarter 2017 saved the predicament by attaining US$694 million, up from last year’s fourth quarter total of US$613 million. The commercial margin increased as well in the...
Nalco has firmed up plans to form a joint venture and Ontario (Canada) based Almex at the upcoming Angul Aluminium Park in Odisha for the production of auto-grade aluminium. The unit with INR 25 billion investment will be set up on 50 acres at the park. “Almex has responded to our EoI (Expression of Interest). Our JV with them is aimed at production of auto-grade aluminium and also of special alloys that find applications in aerospace. In India, aluminium makes its way into barely 300 applications compared with over 3,000 applications worldwide. Nalco will have the majority equity in the JV. Financial institutions could also have stake in the project,” said T K Chand, chairman and managing director of Nalco. Angul Aluminium Park is a joint venture between Navratna firm National Aluminium...
Germany imported EUR 89.7 billion worth of goods in January 2018, up 6.7 per cent from a year earlier. Germany’s import of aluminium powder and flakes increased in volume in 2017 when compared to 2016 data. Russian Federation is the top supplier of aluminium powder and flakes to the country. Germany imported an estimated 11445 tonnes of aluminium powder and flakes last year. Germany bought the maximum amount of aluminium powder and flakes from Austria, the United Kingdom, Poland and Bahrain (2017 data). The global import-export data shows, Germany imported 30463 tonnes of aluminium powder and flakes in 2017. The total import was valued at US$14 million. In 2016, the country had imported 29543 tonnes of aluminium powder and flakes with total value estimated at US$74 million. In 2018,...
Japanese trade minister updated on Tuesday that there is a high chance of some Japanese steel and aluminium products to be exempted from the new US tariffs; reason being the products are not quickly replaceable. “I think there is a high chance that Japanese steel and aluminium products would be exempted from the new tariffs on a per-item basis, as they contribute greatly to U.S. industries and many of them have little substitute,” the minister told a news conference. While US President Donald Trump has proclaimed to impose 25 per cent import tariffs on steel and 10 per cent on aluminium, he, at the same time, has released Canada and Mexico from the tariffs and proposed the same offer to other allies. Trump’s proclamation has also allowed importers to appeal for an exemption on some of...
The U.S. Department of Commerce announced tariffs exclusion process for aluminium and steel. “These procedures will allow the Administration to further hone these tariffs to ensure they protect our national security while also minimizing undue impact on downstream American industries,” said Secretary Ross. “Secretary Ross, in consultation with other Administration officials, will evaluate exclusion requests, taking into account national security considerations. In that evaluation, the Secretary will consider whether a product is produced in the United States of a satisfactory quality or in a sufficient and reasonably available amount,” according to U.S. Department of Commerce press release. Only individuals or organizations using steel or aluminium articles identified in Presidential...
The city, known for its prodigious business hub or popularly recognised as the economic capital of India - Mumbai witnessed a prestigious One Day National Seminar on Development of Special Alloys and Composites of Aluminum for New India on 16th of March, 2018, organised by Aluminium Association of India (AAI), in association with Hindalco. The seminar was held in one of the plush venues in Mumbai, 18.99 Latitude Banquets, 4th Floor, Trade View building, situated at the prime location of the city, Lower Parel, Oasis Complex, Kamala Mills, Gate No.4. Purpose of the seminar The seminar was held in Mumbai by Aluminium Association of India (AAI), an apex body of all aluminium industries in the country, in association with the primary producers of Aluminium and leading ancillary and Downstream...
New Zealand has requested US to exempt it from the new tariffs on imported aluminium and steel. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern has written to the United States president to grant an exemption from the new import tariffs. "We are awaiting a response, as are many other countries who have sought an exemption as well," Jacinda Ardern said. The country shipped $23 million and $39 million worth of aluminium and steel respectively last year. Ardern said that New Zealand’s aluminium and steel shipments posed no threat to U.S. aluminium and steel manufacturers. "We have what I would characterise as an important and broad relationship with the US, not unlike Australia, so we believe we have a strong case for an exemption,”Ardern said earlier this month. "I think that case is enhanced by the fact...
Ever since US President Donald Trump has imposed heavy tariffs on imported steel and aluminium for reviving unfair business practices within the nation, a series of apprises related to it is crossing our path. Now the latest news is the US Commerce Department is all set to begin accepting requests for product exclusions from President Donald Trump’s new steel and aluminium import tariffs from Monday. However, the agency might take up to 90 days for making the determinations. The Commerce Department mentioned in a notice published on Saturday on the Federal Register website that the effective date would be 19th of March, 2018 for declaring the rules and procedures for the requests. Agency officials also revealed at the weekend that they are anticipating to be receiving around 4,500...
The U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) announced that it had made final finding that imports of aluminium foil from China harm domestic industry. As a result, the U.S. Department of Commerce will issue unfair trade orders on aluminium foil imports from China imposing antidumping duties ranging from 48.64 to 106.09 percent and countervailing duties ranging from 17.14 to 80.97 percent. Image Source: Aluminum Association Heidi Brock, president & CEO of the Aluminium Association said: “Today’s decision is a victory not only for U.S. foil producers but also for the rules-based trading system. When companies have confidence that our trade rules are being enforced they have the confidence to invest and grow.” “The ITC’s determination will move the foil industry toward a level playing...
UC RUSAL announced that new high strength wrought scandium aluminium alloys have entered the test phase that is held in cooperation with customers from the shipbuilding industry. The unique Al-Mg-Sc composition of the new alloys was developed by UC RUSAL and the Institute of Light Materials and Technologies. Its main competitive advantage is that it reduces the required scandium content three-fold while preserving the improved properties usually associated with scandium aluminium alloys. The new alloys are thus cheaper while still delivering the best possible strength, corrosion resistance and welding seam strength characteristics. This means that the new alloys will be much more accessible rather than being an upscale product. The company's been working on the project for 4 years, having...
Indian aluminium producers have urged US government to exclude them from the new tariff as aluminium imports from India do not affect U.S. national security and domestic industry. U.S. President Donald Trump last week signed proclamation that imposed 10 per cent levy on imported aluminium. The Aluminium Association of India (AAI) has written to the Union ministry of commerce & industry to grant an exemption from the new import tariff. “The global leaders of European Union countries and other close allies of US like UK, Japan and Korea are taking up this matter with the US government, seeking individual exemptions. In line with other nations, this individual exemption from the US tariffs shall also be sought for India to support the Indian aluminium industry since the tariffs shall render...
The data on China's economy in January and February 2018 were released yesterday by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). Vice president of Zhongda Futures, Jing Chuan, remained bullish on the development of China's economy. He added that the rapid growth in value added applications in the industrial sector suggested that industrial consumption was picking up, and this is likely to give support to the metals market, including steel and aluminium. Jiang Xingchun, director of Soochow Futures Institute, also showed great confidence in China's economy. He added that nonferrous metals will not see a significant rally until downstream consumption recovers. According the data from NBS, the total value added across industrial enterprises rose by 7.2% year on year. Total investment in fixed...
Malaysia imported MYR 73.2 billion worth of products around the world in January 2018, an increase of 11.6 per cent year-on-year. Imports of aluminium wire by Malaysia have been growing with each passing year. The automotive and construction sector is driving the market for aluminium wire worldwide. The country is expected to witness a surge in import of aluminium wires this year. The top aluminium wire exporter to Malaysia is Indonesia. Indonesia exported an estimated 4964 tonnes in 2017. The country imports major chunk of aluminium wire from Australia, China, Japan and Vietnam. As per global import-export data, Malaysia imported an estimated 11708 tonnes of aluminium wire in 2016. Import volume increased to stand at 14617 tonnes in 2017. In 2018, the estimated aluminium wire import is...
Vishakhapatnam-based aluminium alloy wheel manufacturer Synergies Castings Limited has recently entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with Andhra Pradesh government to set up greenfield aluminium casting alloy wheel plant in Vishakhapatnam. “As customer requirements become exceedingly more stringent, and consequent need to invest in substantial capex for sophisticated production, testing and development facilities, it is important to scale up and tech-up to remain competitive. While we have evaluated several manufacturing location options in the country, we believe that Vizag, and the terms of engagement with the state of Andhra Pradesh offers the best opportunity to be the most competitive manufacturer of alloy wheels in the country, ”said Synergies president Shekar Movva. The plant...
ElvalHalcor S.A., the newly merged business of Elval Hellenic Aluminium Industry S.A. and Halcor Metal Works S.A., Greece, signed an agreement with SMS group for the supply of a new four-stand aluminium tandem hot finishing mill for its Oinofyta plant near Athens. Following the hot finishing mill’s installation, ElvalHalcor will boost its production of prime aluminium flat rolled products. “This investment allows for the increase of ElvalHalcor’s current presence in aluminium packaging, industrial, transportation and architectural applications and sets the base for expansion in the automotive and aerospace sectors,” according to SMS group press release. “The future spectrum of hot rolled strips will range from 1.8 to 12.7 millimeters in thickness and up to 2.6 meters in width, hence...
AMAG, a leading Austrian premium supplier of high-quality aluminium cast and flat rolled products has expressed concern over the imposition of 10% punitive tariff on aluminium imports to USA On March 8, 2018. In response to USA’s tariffs on aluminium imports, Helmut Wieser, CEO of AMAG Austria Metall AG said that the USA has been a key market for AMAG primary aluminium and rolled products for many years and US administration’s decision will have an impact on AMAG’s operating result this year which was expected to be a mid-seven-digit euro figure. He however said that the decision would not affect the Canadian part of AMAG production provided the country is exempted as specified. “The opportunities and risks of the response of the USA’s trading partners and any changes in the flow of goods...
Tapan Kumar Chand, CMD, NALCO and Chairman of Aluminium Association of India told PTI that Indian aluminium industry will be not significantly affected by aluminium tariff. Since India already has a large export market in the ex-USA world so tariff will affect a small portion of its aluminium exports. U.S. President Donald Trump last week signed proclamation that imposed 10 per cent tariff on imported aluminium l and 25 per cent on steel. Vedanta Ltd said that the company exports around 5 per cent or 1, 00,000 tonnes of its aluminium volumes, to the US, hence the duties are not a game changer. "Moreover, the market prices will adjust accordingly with higher premiums to reflect the higher cost of supply due to the 10 per cent duties," Vedanta Ltd Chief Sales & Marketing Officer (Global...
European Aluminium, the voice of the entire aluminium value chain, is confident the EU Commission will do everything it can to exempt European countries from the 10% US tariff in the next 15 days, but requests immediate market surveillance and the implementation of safeguard measures if proven necessary. “We are deeply concerned about the US decision to impose a 10% tariff on all aluminium products from Europe (EU+EFTA). As a long-standing political ally with strongly interlinked aluminium value chains and numerous multinationals operating on both territories, Europe should have been exempted from the tariff. If the tariff comes into force, it will greatly damage our trading relationship with the US. The EU currently exports 1.2 billion euro of direct aluminium products to the US, shares...
