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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Preliminary estimates from Aluminum Association indicate that aluminium demand in the United States and Canada (shipments by domestic producers plus imports) totalled an estimated 11.5 million tonnes through October 2017, up 3.3% over the same period last year. Apparent consumption (total demand minus exports) in domestic markets through October totalled an estimated 10.2 million tonnes, up 4.4% over the same period of 2016. Demand for semi-fabricated (mill) products totalled 8.3 million tonnes, up 5.7%. Exports of aluminium ingot and mill products from the U.S. and Canada (excluding cross-border trade) totalled 1.2 million pounds through October, down 4.4% from last year, while imports were up 24.6% to 3.8 million tonnes. Apparent consumption in domestic U.S. and Canadian markets...
According to Shanghai Metals Market (SMM) report, China’s unwrought aluminium and aluminium products export increased by 3.7% reaching 4.35 million tonnes during January-November. SMM anticipates exports of these products to rise this month considering current SHFE - LME prices rise and the country’s increasing aluminium production. In the first 10 months of 2017, aluminium rods and sections export by China totalled 691,000, down 30.1% year on year. Anti-dumping and anti-subsidy duties have affected the export volume of these products, SMM believes. China exported 1.71 million tonnes of aluminium sheets and strips in the first ten months of this year, up 24.2% on a yearly basis. China’s aluminium foil export grew 8.5% year on year reaching 974,000 tonnes from January to October. The...
The Star reported that leader Universal Aluminium Sdn Bhd is aiming high to develop and position itself as one of the top five aluminium rod producers in the world within the next five years. Mr Alex Lim Weng Soon MD said the ongoing and new power-related infrastructure projects globally would push up demand for aluminium rods. He said many projects would take place in the South-East Asian, African and Middle Eastern countries as well as in China and India to cope with their high demand for power. Mr Lim said during an interview that “The power industry in these countries looks promising as they want to ensure they have sufficient, stable and sustainable power supply.” He said billions of dollars would be invested to develop power-related infrastructure in these countries in years to come...
Kobe Steel Ltd, at the centre of a data-falsification scandal that has shaken Japan’s manufacturing industry, admitted for the first time that executives were aware of the cheating, and reassigned three senior officials. Japan’s No.3 steelmaker, which supplies the manufacturers of cars, planes and trains across the world, has said about 500 customers had received products with falsified specifications, throwing global supply chains into turmoil. Outside investigators appointed by Kobe to look into the malpractice have found that senior officials in the co mpany’s copper and aluminium business knew of some of the cheating. “Based on this information, as of today, we have reassigned these three executives,” the company said, adding it would decide on any punishments after the probe was...
Aluminium powder and flakes also known as metana is used for several applications such as manufacture of slurry, explosive and detonators, thermit process used for manufacture of ferro-alloys, specialised welding applications, and manufacture of aluminium paste, paints and several pigments used in automobiles manufacturing. France export of aluminium powder and flakes is expected to pick up this year after a decline in 2016. Last year, the country exported its majority volume of aluminium powder and flakes to Germany, Netherlands, Japan, Belgium, and the USA. According to international trade data, last year, France exported 4026 tonnes of aluminium powder and flakes, down from 4889 tonnes in 2015. This year, the country’s total aluminium powder and flakes export is estimated to reach 5225...
Representatives from the U.S. aluminium industry yesterday testified before the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) in support of a determination that imports of common aluminium alloy sheet from China threaten to injure domestic producers, a press release from Aluminum Association confirms. Constellium, Jupiter Aluminum, JW Aluminum Company and Novelis Corporation were the major representatives testifying against low-priced, unfairly traded Chinese imports of common alloy sheets. “Today was an important next step in the ongoing unfair trade investigations on common alloy aluminium sheet from China that were recently self-initiated by the Commerce Department,” said Heidi Brock, President & CEO of the Aluminum Association. “Our industry representatives provided comprehensive and...
The Aluminum Extruders Council (AEC) was encouraged by the initiation of the 232 Investigation and the implication that President Trump was going to take on the greatest risk to the future of the U.S. aluminum industry - China. AEC members stood up to China’s illegal and unfair trade policies with the imposition of antidumping orders in 2011. As a result of these orders, AEC member companies have made significant new investments that enabled the industry to offer new products and technologies for transportation, defense, automotive light-weighting, and many other applications. However, the Administration risks ignoring the China problem by imposing trade restrictions on imports from other countries which could shut off the supply of primary aluminum and threaten the ability of downstream...
Canada has been operating in the primary aluminium sector since 1901 when the Northern Aluminum Company (now Rio Tinto Alcan) established its first smelter in in Shawinigan, Québec. Canada ranks fourth in world aluminium production after China, Middle East and Russia contributing nearly 6% of world production. Québec lies at the heart of Canada’s aluminium production with the presence of Alcoa, Rio Tinto Alcan and Alouette, three major aluminium players operating eight world-class primary smelters in the province and producing 2.9 million tonnes of primary aluminium, or 60% of total North American production. However, Québec is not only about the primary aluminium industry. The industry is also supported by a group of equipment and technology providers who not only supplies to the...
Aleris has signed a new multi-year contract with Embraer to supply aluminum flat rolled products for use in the production of all Embraer aircraft. The renewed contract agreement includes the supply of technically advanced alloys and extends the portfolio of products for different applications. The expanded relationship demonstrates how Aleris continues to meet Embraer's high expectations as its primary supplier of aluminum flat rolled products. "Our continued investment in growing our technical capabilities has enabled us to further expand our relationship with Embraer, and we look forward to working with them to achieve their aircraft manufacturing and design goals," Sean Stack, Aleris chairman and CEO said. "With a world class aerospace aluminum plate facility in Asia Pacific, we are...
According to the Product Complexity Index (PCI), aluminium bars are the 177th most traded product and the 741st most complex product. Aluminium bars represents 4.2 per cent of total imports of Vietnam. In 2016, the import of aluminium bar rods and profiles increased both volume and value-wise when compared to 2015 data. Vietnam’s import of aluminium bar rods and profiles is estimated to decline in 2017. According to available data, Vietnam imported 1286793 tonnes of aluminium bar rods and profiles in 2016. The total import was valued at US$3.4 billion. In 2015, the country had imported 498169 tonnes with total value estimated at US$2 billion. In 2017, Vietnam is estimated to import around 1059303 tonnes of aluminium bar rods and profiles. The value of import is projected to reach US$3.7...
TRIMET Aluminium SE announced it has signed a joint venture agreement with Bohai Automotive Systems Co., Ltd (Bohai) for the materials specialist’s Automotive Division. Bohai Automotive will hold the TRIMET Automotive Holding GmbH, which along with its subsidiaries at the plants in Harzgerode and Sömmerda manufactures die-casting components for vehicle construction. “The goal of the joint venture with Bohai is to strengthen the international orientation of the Automotive Division as a system supplier for the globally operating automobile manufacturers, for whom China is a particularly important growth market. With the joint venture TRIMET is effectively strengthening its automotive plants in Harzgerode and Sömmerda, making the jobs there future-proof,” according to company’s press...
Hind Aluminium Industries, manufacturer of aluminium alloy and electrical grade wire rods, reported financial results for the quarter and half year ended 30th September 2017. The company’s net profit registered INR 2.87 crore for the quarter ended September 30, from INR 1.06 crores for the period ended September 30, 2016. Hind Aluminium’s net sales increased to INR 156.40 crore for the second quarter ended September 30, from INR 96.55 crore for the period ended September 30, 2016. For the six months ended September 30 , Hind Aluminium reported net profit and net sales of INR 5.39 crore and INR 298.36 crore respectively. The company’s net profit and net sales were INR 4.47 crore and INR 257.24 crore respectively during the six months period ended September 30, 2016.
Constellium N.V. was a recipient of the 2017 Defense Manufacturing Technology (ManTech) Achievement Award in the category of Enhancing Military Capability, for its contributions as part of the U.S. Army’s Affordable Protection from Objective Threats (APOT) ManTech program. This prestigious award recognizes individuals from government and the private sector whose ManTech projects result in system enhancements to improve military performance. Dr. Bryan Cheeseman, Team Leader, Material Manufacturing and Technology Branch of the U.S. Army Research Laboratory (ARL) nominated Constellium for its efforts in development and maturation of the industrial scale processing of aluminum armor plate for forming single piece combat vehicle hulls. A collaborative team consisting of BAE Systems Land &...
The American Chamber of Commerce in Bahrain (AmCham Bahrain) members were hosted for a tour of the Gulf Aluminum Rolling Mill Company (GARMCO) plant in northern Sitra. Mr. Mohamed Essa Ebrahim, GARMCO Acting Chief Executive Officer, provided an overview of GARMCO, its growth, future plans, and how the U.S.-Bahrain Free Trade Agreement (FTA) opened the U.S. market. Mr. Ebrahim stated “GARMCO is pleased to showcase our plant and its contribution to Bahrain’s economy and US-Bahrain bilateral trade. Our new soon to be fully operational re-melt plant will increase our production while saving us energy and resources.” Mr. Ebrahim continued “The U.S. is an important market for GARMCO and we are pleased to have AmCham members representing a wide range of sectors with us today to learn about...
Hungary purchased US$91.4 billion worth of products in 2016. The country’s imports of commodities increased at an annualized rate of 1.44%, from US$96.3 billion in 2011 to $91.4 billion in 2016. Hungary witnessed a fall in aluminium tubes and pipes fittings imports in 2016. The country’s export of this commodity is projected to increase this year. International trade data shows that Hungary imported about 1131 tonnes of aluminium tubes and pipes fittings in 2016, down from 1549 tonnes a year ago. In 2017, the total aluminium tubes and pipes fittings import volume is expected to increase noticeably to 2329 tonnes. The cost of the total aluminium tubes and pipes fittings import stood at USD 16 million and USD 11 million in 2015 and 2016 respectively. The cost of import is estimated to...
LB Aluminium Bhd, the largest supplier of aluminium extrusion in Malaysia, announced its net profit and revenue for the second quarter ended October 31, 2017. The company’s revenue increased 7.3% to RM126.94 million compared to RM118.28 for the preceding year correspondence quarter due mainly to higher average selling prices. LB Aluminium Bhd’s net profit for the second quarter ended October 31, 2017 decreased 70.8% from RM5.78 million to RM1.67 million as a result of reduced margins owing to higher raw materials input costs. “Looking ahead, the Group has taken cognisance of the heightened supply-demand imbalances in the property market and highlighted by Bank Negara Malaysia recently, and is strategising to mitigate the potential adversity by focusing on the export market as well as...
Hydro Extruded Solutions AS has agreed with Arconic to acquire its two extrusion plants in Brazil. The agreement will strengthen Hydro's downstream position in Brazil and create a solid platform for further growth. "We believe in the integrated business model and Brazil is the country where Hydro's entire value chain is present. From bauxite and alumina, via primary production to extruded solutions, this will strengthen our ability to serve our customers," says President and CEO Svein Richard Brandtzæg. The two extrusion plants in Utinga and Tubarão in southern Brazil have combined more than 600 employees, 1 cast house, 7 presses ranging from 7 to 14 inches and value-added capabilities. The transaction is in line with Hydro's strategy of selected growth within its business area Extruded...
China’s Henan Shenhuo Group announced on Thursday, December 8, that the company has started work on the aluminium foil project. The project worth 3.6 billion yuan ($544 million) will have an annual production capacity of 105,000 tonnes, according to news published by Reuters. The aluminium foil project will target the medical packaging sector. Most of the products manufactured in the plant will be supplied to the European and U.S. markets. In October this year, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced that the Commerce Department issued affirmative preliminary antidumping duty determination on aluminium foil from China. It was found that exporters of aluminium foil sold their product at prices below cost. The U.S. Commerce Department would impose duties in the range of 96.81 per...
