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
Austria based AMAG rolling has roped in Primetals Technologies to upgrade the drive technology on the four-high cold rolling stand at its Ranshofen facility, in order to enhance availability. Under the scope of the deal, Primetals will be supplying the motors, converters and converter transformers in addition to the couplings, disk brakes and mechanical adaptations. The engineering firm will also be handling the responsibility of designing, managing the project and training while overseeing the removal and assembly of components, timely repairs, and continuous supply of spare parts. It is known from the company sources that the drive solution, which is to be implemented on the four-high cold rolling stand, features a a single motor assembly for the uncoiler, and a front/back motor layout...
Tianjin Zhongwang, China Zhongwang’s subsidiary, has recently succeeded in rolling 7055 aerospace aluminium plates in different specifications, it said on its website today. The success, which is rare in China for now, will lay the ground for its production of 7055-T7751 product in the future. Domestic aerospace industry mainly adopts 7xxx aluminium alloy, such as 7075, 7050, 7150, etc., whose strength is not as strong as 7055 aluminium alloy.
Aluminum Extruders Council (AEC) continues its fight against the flood of Chinese aluminium extrusions to US. After long persuasion from US aluminium representatives like AEC and Aluminium Association, In March 2016, the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) issued a circumvention decision in the Aluminium Extruders’ petition against China Zhongwang. The DOC confirmed that 5050 alloyed aluminium extrusions are not specifically targeted by its orders. However, it initiated an anti-circumvention investigation in order to determine if there is any circumvention of AD/CVD duties in the imports of 5050 alloyed extrusions. The Department concluded that, “based on the information provided by Petitioner, the Department finds there is sufficient basis to initiate an anti-circumvention inquiry,...
Automotive industry is banking heavily on aluminium to meet its energy efficiency and sustainability targets through 2020. Accordingly industry players have upped their spending on capacity enhancement to churn out vehicles that are lightweight and fuel efficient. But the irony is, the capacity is already exhausted! Automotive sheet aluminium suppliers in North America are running in full capacity (well almost!), said general manager of automotive for Novelis North America, Tom Boney. "The industry is very close to capacity, and more capacity will be required," Boney said at the sidelines of the Center for Automotive Research's Management Briefing Seminars in Traverse City, Michigan, last week. "We're proud to say we have a solid order book." Marco Palmieri, president of Novelis North...
The U.S. industry bodies have been literally waging a war against the rising aluminium extrusions dumping by China. In the wake of their efforts which have of late moved beyond boundaries to stir the European aluminium industry as well, it was speculated that duties on Chinese aluminium extrusions in the U.S. market could be eliminated. Market watchers believe, this elimination of duties, if decided on, will worsen the situation further. According to the US Department of Commerce, it would lead to either recurrence or continuation of countervailable subsidies and dumping. This is the first sunset review of duties that were instituted in 2011. Going by the Commerce estimate, if the duties were lifted, the amount of dumping would justify weighted-average dumping margins of up to 33.28 per...
Novelis reported a total income of $24 million in the first quarter of 2016 ending June 30. With the figures, the world leader in aluminium rolling and recycling has overcome a net loss $60 million it posted in the corresponding period previous year. Excluding tax-effected special items, the net income grew $24 million YoY to stand at $33 million in Q1 2017. "Building on the momentum of a strong close to fiscal 2016, the 26 percent increase in Adjusted EBITDA excluding metal price lag reflects our heightened focus on manufacturing operations, driving productivity gains and asset efficiency while operating with a more complex, premium product portfolio," said Steve Fisher, President and Chief Executive Officer for Novelis. "In addition, we are better able to serve our customers, optimize...
Sarginsons Industries, the noted aluminium die-caster from the UK, has come forward to work with an aerospace engineering student on a first-of-its-kind project that pushed the boundaries of both aluminium casting and aerospace technology forward. Sarginsons used its signature sand and low pressure casting expertise to help the budding engineer deliver a successful final-year project. Saif Arif from Coventry University approached Sarginsons to sandcast an aluminium bell crank component for a control column to connect wings on military Harrier aircraft. He hollowed out the bell cranck with the objective of demonstrating the component's strength and efficiency on being re-designed. Mr Arif said: “I came up with the idea of using design software to optimise a bell crank of a military...
Aleris Corporation reported results for the Second Quarter and First Half ended June 30, 2016. Though Aleris is making net loss consecutively, net loss decreased to $13 million in the Q2 2016 from $19 million in Q2 2015. Adjusted EBITDA was $65 million for Q2 2016 compared to $60 million in Q2 2015. Though rising volumes in global aerospace & automotive sector and regional plate and sheet sector in Europe increased Adjusted EBITDA of about $5 million, production issues and bottlenecks stopped them from fully capitalizing on strong demand from the end-uses. As for the Year-to-date results, revenues was approximately $1,367 million compared to $1,520 million for the same period in 2015. The drop of 10 per cent was primarily due to lower average aluminum prices included in the invoiced...
Indian aluminium industry is finally aligning itself with the global trend of downstream integration. For the 4.129 million tpy-capacity primary aluminium industry which happens to be blessed with the proximity to one of the world’s richest bauxite reserves- the principle ore for aluminium extraction, downstream aluminium production has always remained a lesser priority. But now in the face of challenges arising from various fronts like power and logistics cost escalation, losing out to cheap exports in terms of market share, and not-so-conducive government duty structure, it is realizing the importance of spreading its wings farther. Major primary aluminium producers are showing interest in setting up industrial parks for aluminium-processing units either within their existing smelter...
A new study conducted by ICF International for the Aluminum Association finds that combined greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions caused from the transformation and refrigeration of beverages in aluminium cans are lower than that of beverages in glass or plastic bottles under the same external conditions. Taking into account a unit of per liter beverage, the study finds that, emissions caused from transporting and refrigerating aluminium cans are 7 to 21per cent lower than plastic bottles and 35 to 49 per cent lower than glass bottles. The results vary within the mentioned ranges according to the size of the comparative bottles and the types of refrigerators in which beverage is stored before consumption. On the basis of per container, emissions from beverage packaged in a 12-oz aluminium can is...
The UK based Eltherington Group Ltd has announced the completion of its Hedon Road development project which was a part of its expansion plans. The completion of the new £4m factory facility on the Seven Seas site marks the end of an era for a Hull aluminium supplier. Contractors Hobson & Porter are all set to hand over the project. They started working on site in February this year. Eltherington Group had invested in a major expansion of the 11-acre site, which included a 7,000 sq ft extension to the factory. Now that the project is complete, it is expected to create space for 20 new jobs. Hull-based Alan Woods and Partners were also involved in the project. They helped in keeping the 1930's factory design of the Seven Seas site intact, Eltherington Group Ltd is one of the largest...
3D printing with metal is something that is quickly picking up as a process in a number of manufacturing units by major metal producers. 3D printing with metal is used extensively in production facilities by Alcoa and GE. Development and functionality of a range of metal alloys especially aluminium is at top priority for discussion and exploration considering the strength and power metal 3D printing can offer to products. A group of researchers at Michigan Tech Open Sustainability Technology (MOST) Lab recently started working on a project to explore the potential of using aluminium alloys in 3D printing. The recently published research paper ‘Structure Property Relationships of Common Aluminium Weld Alloys Utilized as Feedstock for GMAW-based 3D Metal Printing’ explores how...
AMAG, a leading supplier of high-quality aluminium cast and flat rolled products in Austria for a number of industries like aerospace, automotive, sports equipment, lighting, mechanical engineering, construction and packaging has reported the results of H1 2016. Highlights: • Record increase in shipment volumes to 206,300 tonnes • The total EBITDA recorded a rise of 7 % • Net income after taxes increased by 21 %. • FY 2016 earnings forecast raised • New multi-year contract signed with Airbus • Expansion project for "AMAG 2020" on schedule and on budget AMAG continued on its stable growth in H1 2016 and reported a record shipment volume of 206,300 tonnes. Plant expansion and marked volume growth in the rolled products area have contributed towards this growth. Total revenue for H12016 was...
Auto-casting manufacturers in India have ended 2015-16 fiscal on a weak note. Monsoon was below average which slowed down demand from rural areas inhibiting offtake by domestic two-wheeler and tractor manufacturers. The cascade effect was reflected in decline in sales in these two segments as well as that for the OEMs including ferrous and aluminium auto casting manufacturers. The realisation was also brought down by the falling iron and aluminium prices in the global market, limiting revenue growth. Source: FOUNDRY INFORMATICS CENTRE However, outlook for 2016-17 seems brighter for both ferrous and aluminium auto casting manufacturers. Met offices had forecasted a normal monsoon for the fiscal. Going by the trend as of now, rural demand for tractors and two-wheelers seems to be back on...
Constellium reported Q2 2016 results today and continued with its continuous strong performance partially offset by lower metal prices. In comparison to the same period of 2015, below are the highlights for this quarter. • Total shipments of 387k metric tons • Total revenue of €1.2 billion, down 10% caused by lower metal prices • Net income of €9 million compared to a €47 million net loss YoY • Adjusted EBITDA up 15% at €107 million • Cash Flow of €182 million • Strong Adjusted EBITDA in all segments Keeping aside seasonal downsides, Constellium’s Q2 2016 results reflect strong performance in Automotive Structure & Industrial segment, which achieved record quarterly Adjusted EBITDA. The results also reflect improved performance in Aerospace &Transportation and Packaging & Automotive...
According to the Preliminary estimates by Aluminium Association for the month of June 2016Al, aluminum net shipments including exports by domestic U.S. and Canadian plants were 2,013 million pounds during June recording a rise of 2.6% over the June 2015 total of 1,961 million pounds. Shipments of aluminium mill products were slightly down at 1,357 million pounds in comparison to the same period of 2015. Shipments of aluminium ingot for castings, exports and destructive uses increased 9.1 percent YoY at 656 million pounds. There was a 3.0 percent increase YoY in preliminary producer shipments through June 2016 at 11,943 million pounds. June inventory levels was 2,915 million pounds a slight rise over the previous month and down 2.5 percent YoY. According to the "advance" estimate by the...
According to reports obtained by Aluminium Insider, a significant flow of fake semis has been emanating over the past several weeks from Mexico to Vietnam. The re-melted aluminium billet is likely to re-enter the Asian market now that the United States market is closed to Chinese aluminium as a result of anti-dumping measures. Recent reports show that these extrusions have been moving steadily out of Mexico and into Vietnam for seven straight weeks, stretching back to mid-June. As of late last week sources indicate that 7,400 metric tons of “extrusion metal units” have left the Aluminicaste Fundición de México S. de RL de CV in San José Iturbide, Guanajuato, approximately 400 miles south of the Rio Grande. What’s more, shipments of Chinese extrusions from Mexico to Vietnam don’t seem to...
Qatar Aluminum (QAEC) of Doha, Qatar, has selected Granco Clark to supply a Model 40 I/R Die Oven. QAEC was looking for a quick, uniform, die heating option. This fast-heat-up die oven from Granco Clark increases production flexibility, making it easier for QAEC to adjust scheduling. The Model 40 I/R Die Oven handles a die up to 22” in diameter and 12” thick. This oven provides a heat-up time of just 90 minutes. Granco Clark, since its inception, has evolved from being a billet furnace manufacturer into a worldwide, cutting-edge, single-source supplier and leading equipment manufacturer in the aluminium extrusion industry.
