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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As reported by the Aluminum Association, U.S. Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross announced the Department’s findings from the 232 investigations into the impact on national security from imports of wrought and unwrought aluminium on Feb 16, and he outlined recommendations for the president to impose tariffs or quotas on aluminium imports. The Commerce Department found that aluminium is essential to U.S. national security, namely to satisfy Defence Department requirements for military capabilities (including armour plate for armoured vehicles, aircraft structural parts and components, naval vessels, space and missile structural components, and propellants) as well as critical infrastructure sectors (including power transmissions, transportation systems, manufacturing industries, construction,...
Purdue Research announced last month that researchers have developed technology that can change aluminium’s microstructure to boost ductility and offer strength equivalent to stainless steel. The technology is meant to do away with complications that arise in case of aluminium alloys during collision repair. As said by Professor Xinghang Zhang from Purdue School of Materials Engineering they want to improve the softness and low mechanical strength of some lightweight aluminium alloys, to make way for more widespread industrial application. High-strength, lightweight aluminium alloys with strength of stainless steels, according to him, would revolutionize the automobile and aerospace industries. He believes once commercially available, this process can make aluminium closures even more...
SMS group, a plant supplier to the metallurgical industry for steel, aluminium, copper and metals, has supplied two high-capacity aluminium hot rolling lines to Chinese aluminium producer Tianjin Zhongwang Aluminium Co. Ltd. The first aluminium hot coil rolled in the expanded finishing mill on January 26, 2018. Tianjin Zhongwang Aluminium, based in Tianjin, China, produces aluminium rolled plates, sheets, and coils for aerospace, aircraft, shipping, and others. Image Source: SMS group According to SMS group press release, “In January 2018, one of the two lines in 1+1+3 configuration, i.e. two reversing roughing stands and a three-stand finishing mill, received a further finishing stand. SMS group completed the line expansion to 1+1+4 configuration during a shutdown period of only 23...
Braidy Industries has updated construction schedule of its new aluminium rolling mill in Kentucky. Senior vice president of government relations Nathan Haney said on Tuesday that the construction of mill is on track. The company expects to break the ground on the mill in the next couple of months. "We are still on track to break ground in the next couple of months," said Nathan Haney. "We are really shooting hard for April." He further explained: "Our facility will be 40 acres under roof. It is a very, very big space. Phase 1 and phase 2 will be a 30-month process. Our project will add $1 million a day starting from groundbreak to finish. It's hard to fathom spending and (or) adding a million dollars to the project every single day for 30 months. It's a lot of money. It's a lot of...
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he was considering a range of options to address steel and aluminium imports that he said were unfairly hurting U.S. producers, including tariffs and quotas. Trump’s comments - his strongest signal in months that he will take at least some action to restrict imports of the two metals - came in a meeting with a bipartisan group of U.S. senators and representatives at the White House. Reporters were present for part of the meeting. Some of the lawmakers urged him to act decisively to save steel and aluminium plants in their states, but others urged caution because higher prices would hurt downstream manufacturers that consume steel and aluminium. Trump is weighing options presented last month by the U.S. Commerce Department in parallel “Section...
In March of 2017, The Aluminum Association’s Trade Enforcement Working Group filed petitions requesting the initiation of anti-dumping and countervailing duty (AD/CVD) investigations against the import of aluminium foil products from China. The Final USITC hearing on antidumping and countervailing duty investigations by the U.S. International Trade Commission on aluminium foil imports from China took place on Thursday February 8. Aluminium industry leaders from USA testified during the hearing before the U.S. International Trade Commission. At the onset of the expected implementation of anti-dumping and countervailing duty (AD/CVD) on aluminium foils, we attempt an analysis of the total volume of aluminium foil imported by USA and the volume imported from China in last three years and the...
Leading Indian automotive component manufacturer for OEMs, Minda Corporation of Ashok Minda Group has posted six percent increase (year-on-year) in net profit margins in the third quarter ending December 31, 2017. From INR 21.3 crore in Q3 FY 2017, net profit has increased to INR 37.9 crore this financial year. Profit after tax, however, has come down to INR 42.1 crore from the last quarter. The company manufactures aluminium die casted components for global automotive industry among other products and also offer end to end solutions. Source: Spark Minda Minda Corp’s Q3 FY 2017-18 revenues have increased by 25.2 per cent y-o-y to INR 636.2 crore; but it is less than the Q2 revenues of INR 655 crore. Earnings before interest, tax, deduction and amortization (EBITDA) increased by 45.8 per...
U.S. President Donald Trump will meet with a bipartisan group of lawmakers on Tuesday to discuss trade matters, as he ponders whether to takes steps to limit steel and aluminum imports seen as damaging to U.S. businesses. A month ago the Commerce Department handed Trump the results of its investigation into steel and aluminum imports, giving him 90 days to respond. They have offered no insight into their conclusions. “The president will hear from bipartisan members of Congress across the spectrum of opinions on trade matters, including the pending (Section) 232 cases on steel and aluminum,” said White House spokeswoman Lindsay Walters. “This meeting is part of the president’s commitment to ensure fair and reciprocal trade policies that support the American worker and grow the American...
According to the latest report from Aluminum Association, imports of aluminium ingot, scrap and mill products into the U.S. and Canada (excluding cross-border trade) stood at 386,000 tonnes in December 2017, up 21.4% over the December 2016 total of 319,000 tonnes. Including scrap, which accounted for roughly 58.7% of reported aluminium exports in December, exports totalled 262,000 tonnes, up 22.4% over a year ago. Excluding scrap, exports totalled 108,000 tonnes, up 2.6% over last year. Exports of scrap increased 41.7% YoY. In total for 2017, imports were up 23.2%to 4.4 million tonnes YoY, while exports were up 6.6% to 2.9 million tonnes. The Association’s “Index of Net New Orders of Aluminum Mill Products” for January 2018 increased 21.2% over December 2017. Orders for flat roll products...
UC RUSAL, a leading global aluminium producer, is pleased to announce the creation of a new Downstream Division in the company's organizational structure. Andrey Donets has been appointed Head of the new division, whose main tasks will include developing value added production and bringing this business of the company to a whole new level. The Downstream Division includes the foil, packaging, and wheels production facilities of the company. Vladislav Soloviev, CEO of RUSAL, commented: “The strategy that RUSAL is implementing to increase the share of value added products in total output and the progress we have made so far require that we look for new points of growth. Strengthening our management team with such a professional as Andrey Donets with his experience in the industry will allow...
The Final USITC hearing on antidumping and countervailing duty investigations by the U.S. International Trade Commission on aluminium foil imports from China took place on Thursday February 8. Aluminum Association President and CEO Heidi Brock, along with other industry leaders, testified during the hearing before the U.S. International Trade Commission. “The relief we seek will help ensure that the U.S. aluminium foil industry can compete fairly in the U.S. market,” Brock said in her testimony. She insisted that the Aluminum Association is committed to fight unfair trade practices and maintain a level playing field in international market. She urged the U.S. government to enforce its trade rules to help US companies to innovate, invest and grow with confidence. In March of 2017, The...
China’s aluminium alloy export volumes increased by 5.31 per cent year-on-year in December, according to China’s customs data. The country shipped 44,369 tonnes of aluminium alloy last month. Image Source: Shanghai Metals Market Japan, Hong Kong and Vietnam were the top importers of country’s aluminium alloy in December. Japan imported substantial amount of this product from China. Exports totalled 27,532 tonnes, an increase of 0.07 per cent year-on-year. China exported 8,062 tonnes and 2,291 tonnes of aluminium alloy to Hong Kong and Vietnam respectively in December. For the twelve months of 2017, China’s exports of aluminium alloy rose 8.52 per cent year-on-year to 536,880 tonnes. Japan, the top importer of Chinese aluminium alloy, imported 337,072 tonnes of aluminium alloy last year,...
Gränges AB, a manufacturer of rolled aluminium for aluminium heat exchangers, announced signing of a Letter of Intent (LOI) with Scandium International Mining Corporation for testing scandium aluminium alloys in heat exchanger applications. Gränges will test alloy in R&I Centre in Finspång to document observed scandium impacts on alloys used in its products. Image Source: Gränges George Putnam, CEO of Scandium International Mining Corp. said: "We are pleased to be taking our recent work with scandium in brazing alloy development and introducing it to a significant aluminium alloy consumer group, known for their innovation and quality products.” “Gränges is a recognized industry leader in the heat exchanger markets, and the perfect partner to refine our alloy work to meet their specific...
Spark Minda, Ashok Minda Group has opened third die casting facility with an initial capital investment of INR 100 crore in Phase -1. The Group has established manufacturing facility exclusively for aluminium gravity die casting & low pressure die casting with machining in Pune for two and four wheeler products. Ashok Minda, Group CEO, Spark Minda, Ashok Minda Group said, “Establishment of our new plant at Pune will enable Group to suffice the rising demand of Die Casting components for Indian & Global Automotive Customers.” Minda Corporation Limited, a flagship company of Spark Minda, Ashok Minda Group made an initial investment in the manufacturing plant. The facility is equipped with Competency Centre for Excellence for Gravity Die Casting & Low Pressure Die Casting. The Group has...
Impol Group Slovenia has rolled the first aluminium strip from its modernized cold rolling mill. “The range of coil dimensions has been extended, including larger coil diameters and increased width, with maximum coil mass doubled. Higher strip tensions now allow thicker strip to be rolled,” according to SMS group press release. Image Source: SMS group SMS group announced that the group has revamped company’s aluminium cold rolling mill. In May 2016, SMS group Technical Services (UK) Ltd. received a contract to revamp 40-year-old cold rolling mill. The group provides plant construction and mechanical engineering services to the steel and nonferrous metals industry. SMS group said that they have modified the foundations and replaced the complete entry and exit equipment. The group has also...
New Wave Holdings has announced that it will acquire Alutech Metals Asiatic Pte Ltd as part of its efforts to develop and expand its aluminium product distribution business. The company also intends to tap marketing strength and customer network of Alutech Metals Asiatic in the PRC to strengthen its presence in the region. The company has entered into a conditional sale and purchase agreement with two independent parties, Tan Suan and Hu Wing Ko, to acquire the entire share stake in Alutech Metals Asiatic. Alutech Metals Asiatic was incorporated in Singapore with a wholly-owned subsidiary Alutech Metals Co., Ltd., incorporated in the People’s Republic of China. Alutech Metals Asiatic is an investment holding company and the PRC Subsidiary is involved in trading of aluminium alloy, steel,...
Arconic Inc. delivered revenue of $13.0 billion in 2017, up 5% year over year, driven by higher volumes across all segments and higher aluminium prices. Excluding special items, adjusted income stood at $618 million in 2017 versus $505 million in 2016. The company reported consolidated adjusted EBITDA of $1.8 billion, up 17% year over year. Excluding special items, consolidated adjusted EBITDA was $1.9 billion, up 9% year over year. Consolidated adjusted EBITDA margin excluding special items was 14.3%, up 60 basis points year over year. The Company delivered net cost savings of $232 million or 1.8% of revenue in 2017. Arconic Chief Executive Officer Chip Blankenship said, “In 2017, Arconic made progress on growing revenue and profits and taking out cost. However, a significant opportunity...
DPI UK Ltd, a Midlands based business manufacturing aluminium frames and light boxes, has won a 12,000 Pound financing boost through a scheme devised to help MSMEs in Leicester and Leicestershire. The grant from Collaborate will help the aluminium frame maker to buy new automated saw and enhance its operational efficiency. Source: www.leicestermercury.co.uk Collaborate is a project funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and its partner organisations, and is overseen by Leicester City Council. The project awarded DPI UK the grant to help scale its operations and generate employment in the process. DPI directors Sandra Wiggins and Paul Tomlinson were elated about the development. Ms Wiggins said: “The business has grown significantly and our current cutting saw was needing...
