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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Production growth in aluminium semis and rolled products in China have spurred growth in a number of allied industries in Asia. SK Innovation, an energy, chemicals, telecommunications company, from South Korea announced on Thursday February 2 that it will acquire Dow Chemical Co's ethylene acrylic acid (EAA) business for $370 million. This is a part of its expansion programme for its high value-added chemical products range. Ethylene acrylic acid is mainly used as an adhesive for wrapping products such as aluminium foil and is on high demand due to growing production of aluminium foil in South Korea and China. In the beginning of 2017, SK Innovation announced that the company intends to invest up to $2.5 billion in chemicals, oil exploration and battery businesses to enhance growth. The...
According to Rambler News Service with reference to representatives of the Russian Aluminium Association, Russian pressing plants are going to manufacture aluminium profiles for hot houses replacing imported aluminium profiles production on the Russian market. Chairman of the Russian Aluminium Association, Valentine Trischenko said that Russian companies currently produce only 45 hectares of 150 of hot-house compounds in Russia. The development of the hot house compounds sector will drive the plant’s capacity and the annual consumption of aluminium will increase to 12,000 tons. The Associations agreed to ask for the government support for domestic producers. Domestic production will decrease the cost of metal structures for hot-house compounds. The Russian Aluminium Association was...
Arconic has reported its fourth quarter and full year 2016 results. This is Arconic’s first independent quarter reporting earnings following the separation of Alcoa Corporation and Arconic. Commenting on the results, Klaus Kleinfeld, Arconic Chairman and CEO said, “In the fourth quarter we completed the successful separation of Alcoa Inc., which has unlocked substantial value for all shareholders. ..We also strengthened our balance sheet, paid down $750 million of debt and ended the year with a strong cash balance of $1.9 billion.” Kleinfeld continued with his outlook for 2017, “In 2017 we are squarely focused on operational improvements, margin expansion, and capital efficiency to drive shareholder returns. We will continue to cut cost through productivity and corporate overhead...
Bonnell has announced that its parent company, Tredegar Corporation has agreed to acquire 100% ownership of Futura Industries. Upon the closing of the transaction, which is expected by mid-February, Futura will become an operating division of Bonnell Aluminum. Futura, headquartered in Clearfield, Utah, with a national sales presence and particular strength in the western U.S., designs and manufactures a wide range of extruded aluminium products for a number of industries and end markets, including branded flooring trims and TSLOTS, as well as OEM components for truck grills, solar panels, fitness equipment and other applications. Futura has approximately 350 employees. Commenting on the acquisition, Brook Hamilton, President of Bonnell Aluminum, stated, “Following our successful...
Arconic Inc. reported fourth quarter and full-year 2016 results on January 31, the Company’s first quarter reporting earnings after the separation of Alcoa Inc. on November 1, 2016, into two standalone companies- Arconic Inc. (the new name for Alcoa Inc.) and Alcoa Corporation. Arconic is a global leader in multi-materials innovation, precision engineering and advanced manufacturing, mainly in aerospace and transportation. The numbers include one month of Alcoa Corporation for fourth quarter 2016 and ten months of Alcoa Corporation for full-year 2016. 4Q and Full Year 2016 Highlights Revenue roughly stayed flat YOY. The fourth quarter total revenue stands at $3.0 billion (versus $3.0 billion in fourth quarter 2015). For the full year 2016 revenue stands at $12.4 billion (versus $12.4...
ABB has received two contracts from Aluminium Norf GmbH (Alunorf) for the modernisation of the KW5 cold-rolling mill with a total contract value of around €2 million. Both contracts represent the first part of a complete four-phase modernisation of the automation and technical equipment at KW5. In doing so, ABB is continuing its almost 20-year cooperation in the lifecycle support of the installation. The first step includes an upgrade of the existing ABB 800xA process control system to version 5.1, as well as the implementation of an AC800 PEC controller as a master encoder and for drive control in an existing ABB system based on MP200 controllers from the mid-1990s. The AC800 PEC controller is specifically used for the demanding drive oriented control and regulation tasks in all types of...
According to the monthly aluminium highlights published by Aluminum Association, U.S. and Canadian producers shipped estimated 23.8 million pounds of aluminium Forgings and Impacts during December 2016, registering a slight drop YOY. On a month on month comparison, shipments dropped 5.5% from the November 2016 total shipment. Preliminary shipments for the full year 2016 stood at 316.2 million pounds, down 5.3% from the 2015 total of 334.0 million pounds. According to the "advance" estimate released by the Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. real GDP increased at an annual rate of 1.9% in the fourth quarter of 2016. In the third quarter, real GDP increased 3.5%. The deceleration in real GDP in the fourth quarter (as compared to the third) reflected a downturn in exports, an acceleration in...
Albania, the mineral resource rich country in South-eastern Europe's Balkan Peninsula has opened up to the global investors only very recently. The free trade zone of Albania's city of Koplik was declared open for manufacturing, industrial and agro-processing activities as well as trading and storing goods, in July 2016. To remain operational till 2025 for a symbolical price of 1 euro, the region now throws open opportunities for a number of industries to grow and expand. Downstream aluminium manufacturing remains one of the key industries in Albania. Alumil Albania, Everest, Vibtis Ltd, Endress hauser are some of the noted aluminium product manufacturers and automation companies of the country. {newsStudioGallery} Alumil Albania, the biggest manufacturer of aluminium profiles in Albania,...
Indian foundry industry acts as an ancillary industry to the manufacturing sector as it supports auto, auto components, railways, electric, cement etc. It also acts as a downstream industry for the metal industries like steel, iron and aluminium. The Indian foundry industry is third largest globally with revenue at $ 18 billion & exports of approximately $ 2.7 billion and it is also the second largest producer of castings globally. Anil Vaswani, president, Institute of Indian Foundrymen, in an interview to Foundry Planet has reiterated the need for the development of the foundry sector in order to support Make in India campaign. He feels, to support Make in India, the foundry sector will need to grow at least 3 folds in next 10 years. The auto sector has been forecasted to grow to $ 300...
The Aluminium Secondary Manufacturers Association (ASMA) has requested the Finance Minister and Commerce Minister to “stop Injustice against 3500 Aluminium MSME” over government’s decision for imposing a minimum import price (MIP) on aluminium through an open letter in the newspapers. ASMA said, “It has been reported in the media that Ministry of Mines has eventually recommended to fix Minimum Import Price (MIP) for import of aluminium metal in the country.” The association said downstream players all over the world including India buy aluminium at a price based on London Metal Exchange (LME) price to which quarterly premium is added to arrive at the CIF value for import of aluminium metal in any country. This shows that MIP is already added and there is no need of fixing extra MIP for...
State-owned aluminium maker National Aluminium Company (Nalco) and Indian Defence Ministry’s Mishra Dhatu Nigam Ltd (MIDHANI) are in talks to produce auto-grade aluminium and high-end value added products. Under the Government of India’s mission for Make in India, Nalco is planning to take up the projects through joint venture with MIDHANI to manufacture auto-grade aluminium and other products which are not manufactured in India. Dr. Tapan Kumar Chand, CMD Nalco said, “51% of the India’s aluminium requirements are presently met through imports from China, Middle East and other countries. Of this, a major portion is value added products, that are not produced in India, and are used by the auto and aero sectors.” He further added, “Discussions with MIDHANI are in an advanced stage, for...
Bosnian oil and oil derivatives trader Hifa Oil has acquired a German manufacturer of aluminium door and window profiles, LB.Profile GmbH, local media reported. Last year, Hifa's unit Euro Roal concluded a strategic partnership with LB.Profile paving the way for the acquisition. This is Hifa Oil's seventh subsidiary, but its first in Germany. Following the acquisition, Euro Roal - local leader in the distribution of aluminum and inox steel profiles - will strengthen its position on foreign markets, the source reported. LB.Profile employs 45 workers and is based in Hesse, in Germany. Its dominant markets are Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, Lithuania and Russia. Hifa Oil is a leader in the transport of oil and oil derivatives in Bosnia. Its subsidiaries include EURO ROAL, EURO METALI,...
Hulamin, the aluminium product manufacturer and supplier from South Africa is expected a surge in earnings at a rate of 127 per cent and 141 per cent for FY2016. The company has attributed the expected surge in earnings to a strong manufacturing performance last year. This target will lift the earnings per share to a range of 116 cents to 123cents in comparison to 51c a share reported at the end of the previous financial year. Hulamin’s share price improved on the good news. “This positive momentum, achieved with an excellent safety record, provides a solid base for further focus and improvements going into 2017,” the company said. Hulamin’s rolled products division had benefited from consistent investment in operational excellence and risk management and achieved a record total sales...
Palatine, Illinois based Arlington Plating Company has recently installed and started up an aluminium anodizing line at its facility in Cook County headquarters, reported company sources. The US$2 million plus capital investment has been made by Arlington in order to meet the increasing demand of aluminium anodizing in the surface finishing industry that prioritizes superior precision as per design specifications and stringent OEM performance. The 5,000 sq ft fully automated aluminium anodizing line is comprised of 44 process tanks and can produce MIL-A-8625 Type II (sulfuric) anodizing characterized by die colouring, electro colour capabilities and high pH sealants. Various finishing applications such as bright dip, satin finish, and lacquer/post-dip are offered by the line. The...
Accuride Corporation, a leading supplier of components to the North American and European commercial vehicle industries, has launched on Monday at Heavy Duty Aftermarket Week 2017 in Las Vegas its new Quantum 99 aluminium alloy and 40 lb. aluminium wheel. Accuride President and CEO Rick Dauch said, “As the latest step in our efforts, we’re excited to introduce our next-generation Quantum 99 alloy and 40 lb. aluminium wheel. These demonstrate our commitment to offering the industry’s strongest, lightest and most durable aluminium wheels.” Dauch added that Quantum 99 is 20 per cent stronger than company’s previous aluminium alloy and lessens the weight of company’s standard lightweight aluminium wheel by 11 per cent. Accuride’s 22.5 x 8.25 aluminium wheel will be available in the third...
Aluminium downstream products comprise a key export commodity of Austria. The country ships extruded aluminium ingots of both alloyed and non-alloyed varieties to the European as well as global product manufacturers. According to a recent market report, automotive industry followed by packaging and electricals are the main demand drivers of Austrian aluminium industry. Due to a recent surge in the domestic demand for aluminium extrusions, the country’s export volume has been on declines over the last three years. With downstream aluminium manufacturers scaling up their capacities, the export is expected to surge in the next five years. {newsStudioGallery} Austria exported 231,572.5 tonnes of aluminium alloy ingots in 2014. In the next financial year, the volume declined slightly by one...
Preliminary estimates by Aluminum Association indicate that aluminium demand in the United States and Canada that includes shipments by domestic producers plus imports stood at an estimated 24,296 million pounds for the f first 11 months of 2016. This records a 2.1 per cent increase over the same period of last year. Demand for semi-fabricated (mill) products records a slight increase to stand at 17,031 million pounds. Apparent consumption (demand minus exports) is estimated at 21,406 million pounds for the first nine month of 2016, up 1.1 per cent from the same period of 2015. Preliminary shipments of Aluminum Extruded Products (extruded shapes, pipe & tube, and rod & bar) by U.S. and Canadian producers totalled 5,160.6 million pounds for the full year 2016, up slightly over the 2015...
Arconic Inc. confirms through a press release that the company will announce its fourth quarter 2016 and full year 2016 financial results on Tuesday, January 31, 2017. The presentation materials and press release will be available in the “Investors” section of Arconic’s website after the New York Stock Exchange has closed on January 31. The conference call and webcast will begin at 5:00 PM EST. The conference call of the results will be hosted by Klaus Kleinfeld, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Arconic and Ken Giacobbe, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. Webcast will also be available on the “Investors/Events and Presentations” section of the Arconic website. A replay of the call will be available on the same section from January 31 at 8:30 PM EST until February...
