Germany and France share one of Europe’s busiest downstream aluminium corridors, and the metal flows in both directions. In the first seven months of 2026, aluminium flat rolled products (FRP), which cover aluminium plates, sheets and strips (HS code: 7606), as well as aluminium foil (HS code: 7607), crossed the border each way, amounting to a total of around USD 692 million. However, the bilateral trade flow is tilted towards Germany, which remains France’s largest FRP supplier. Nonetheless, the inter-dependence remains as the countries do exchange the same products but engage in cross-border trade of specialised high-value products and alloys, feeding the demand on either side. The trade figures for January–July 2026, as compiled from the International Trade Administration, highlight...
KAP Minerals and Cymat Technologies are exploring a partnership to produce scandium-aluminium master alloy in Ontario, following the signing of a memorandum of understanding. The partnership would use scandium oxide from KAP’s Kapuskasing critical minerals project and Cymat’s aluminium-processing technology to produce alloys for aerospace, defence and manufacturing applications. To know the global production, demand and consumption forecasts of aluminium extrusions, explore our report " The World of Aluminium Extrusions to 2035 " Scandium-aluminium alloys can improve strength, performance and weldability while reducing weight. The companies aim to use the proposed venture to establish a domestic supply chain, converting Canadian critical minerals into value-added industrial materials....
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Giant aluminium Olympic Rings have being installed at iconic sites across the United Kingdom to excite and inspire people ahead of the London 2012 Games, with sets unveiled in Edinburgh, London, Cardiff, Belfast, Glasgow and most recently Box Hill in Surrey (around which the cycle road race will pass during the games). To mark one month until the Olympics, three tonne Olympic rings were suspended on Tower Bridge in London using an aluminium grid. The lightweight and high strength properties of aluminium make it possible to design light structures with exceptional stability.
Truck subsidiary’s Tijuana project to start up in 2014 Hyundai Translead, a manufacturer of commercial trucks and trailers, and domestic containers, container chassis, and converter dollies for the North American market, has plans to build a new aluminum diecasting plant in Tijuana, Mexico. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Hyundai Motor Co., and already has three manufacturing and assembly plants in that Mexican city. The new plant will produce engine blocks, cylinder heads, and transmission cases, in a total volume of 900,000 units/year. Construction is scheduled to start this month and the new plant would reach its full capacity in January 2014. The new plant represents an investment of $9.78 million (M$131 million), and will employ nearly 300 workers. Hyundai Translead,...
In trading on Monday, shares of Noranda Aluminum Holding Corp (NYSE: NOR) entered into oversold territory, changing hands as low as $6.17 per share. We define oversold territory using the Relative Strength Index, or RSI, which is a technical analysis indicator used to measure momentum on a scale of zero to 100. A stock is considered to be oversold if the RSI reading falls below 30. In the case of Noranda Aluminum Holding Corp, the RSI reading has hit 29.1 — by comparison, the universe of metals and mining stocks covered by Metals Channel currently has an average RSI of 43.8, the RSI of Spot Gold is at 43.2, and the RSI of Spot Silver is presently 39.1. A bullish investor could look at NOR’s 29.1 reading as a sign that the recent heavy selling is in the process of exhausting itself, and...
The Elevate range of aluminium window and door systems from Architectural Window Systems was used for the glazing work at Gungahlin College in Canberra to achieve thermal performance and ventilation goals. Many classrooms across Australia are badly designed resulting in students and teachers having very little access to daylight or good indoor air quality. Gungahlin College, a $72.7 million education facility in Canberra’s north however, sets a new benchmark in green schools with several features incorporated into the design to achieve an environment-friendly tag. Glazing was used effectively all over the building, and represented a close collaboration between the architects, the sustainability consultant and Taylors Window Supplies. Glazing was optimised throughout the college using the...
The Aluminum Corporation of China, commonly known as Chinalco, signed an agreement with a Swedish company in Beijing last year to fund a project in the Xipeng Aluminum Industrial Zone in the Jiulongpo district of Chongqing municipality. Sapa Group, a Swedish company that makes extruded aluminum profiles, will invest 630 million yuan in the design, production and sales of aluminum alloy extruded structure products and car body module products for the rail and automobile markets. Sapa Group has one of the world's most-advanced low-temperature, energy-saving and high-strength welding technologies. After the project officially goes into operation in 2013, the annual output of car body modules and aluminum products for rail transport is estimated to reach a total of 20,000 tons. The aluminum...
Midas Holdings Limited announced today that its Aluminium Alloy Division, Jilin Midas Aluminium Industries Co., Ltd has won the "Supplier of the Year Award" from Bombardier Transportation, the rail equipment manufacturing and servicing division of Bombardier Inc. Listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange, Bombardier Inc. is one of the world's leading manufacturers of innovative aerospace and rail transport solutions. Bombardier presents the Supplier of the Year Award in recognition of suppliers' quality products, exemplary work and service. Jilin Midas is the only supplier to have received an award under this category from Bombardier for 2011. "Jilin Midas is a strategic supplier in the field of aluminium extrusions," said Pierre Attendu, Vice President Operations and Chief Procurement...
Alcoa Building and Construction Systems (BCS) recently appointed Jay Kahn as the Norcross, Ga.-based Company’s corporate identity (CID) manager for North America. Kahn will manage the CID sales for two product brands that include curtain wall, storefront and window solutions products. Kahn began working at Alcoa in March 2003 as the CID manager for Reynobond in North America. Kahn then served as a national sales manager in North America and in 2008 worked as a global commercial development manager. Before working at Alcoa, Kahn worked within the building materials industry at companies such as Alpolic and Pioneer International. Kahn earned his bachelor's degree in operations logistics from the University of Houston. "We are pleased to have [Kahn] lead the CID team as they find even...
According to an analysis conducted by CCID Consulting, aluminum has become an ideal alternative material for application in the automobile market as there is an increasing demand for lightweight vehicles. The aluminum body of a vehicle has 46% less weight when compared to a traditional steel body. In addition, the use of aluminum enhances fuel efficiency and safety. Aluminum parts are now used in various automobile applications, including section bars and sheets, forgings and castings. Aluminum material has been utilized in automobile body, particularly for trunk lids, doors and cabin covers. Nevertheless, China has witnessed a slow growth of aluminum use in automobiles because of technical issues related to sheets’ performance and application. Hence, technical breakthroughs are...
Norwegian food and industrial conglomerate Orkla plans to close more aluminium plants in Europe after its markets deteriorated more than it expected, particularly in areas worst hit by the debt crisis. The company, which aims to sell many of its disparate businesses to focus exclusively on its consumer brands such as biscuits and detergents, reported second-quarter core profit below market forecasts on Friday. Acting Chief Executive Aage Korsvold appointed earlier this year to speed up disposals said most should happen this year, apart from aluminium unit Sapa. "We will clean up most of it in 2012, but Sapa will take somewhat longer," Korsvold said. Orkla shares were down 3.5 percent at 0846 GMT and were the worst performer in the Oslo benchmark index, down 0.3 percent. Revenue at Sapa...
Citigroup has maintained its 'Buy' rating on Hindalco with a target price of Rs 164. Hindalco has underperformed the Sensex by 24% in the past year on plant delays, weak LME prices and Mahan coal block uncertainty. PAT gains in both years were from higher realizations; lower depreciation and interest higher ownership of Novelis Korea and higher profits from other businesses. Citi has value Hindalco stand alone at 7.5x EV/EBITDA at the top end of the trading range for global peers and at a slight premium to its average EV/EBITDA of 6.9x for the past 4.5 years.
Fortrans, a producer of low-toxicity, biodegradable specialty chemicals and various other environment- related products, has introduced Safe Bright, an aluminum brightener. The product is a safe alternative to hazardous hydrofluoric acid, ammonium bifluoride and other acid products that are utilized to brighten aluminum. Safe Bright will deoxidize and brighten the surfaces of aluminum. The innovative brightener employs a new material that has secured the EPA P2 Pollution Prevention Award. In addition, Safe Bright has an HMIS code 1, which denotes a eye and skin irritant, and is non-regulated by DOT. Safe-Bright from Fortrans has very low odor and will not etch or attack glass products. It does not etch or dull aluminum surfaces and is safe to apply on rubber seals, plastic, chrome-plated...
Elad Mentovich, a PhD candidate at the Tel Aviv University, has developed a memory transistor using carbon molecules that can be used to both transfer and store energy and eliminate the requirement for a capacitor. Smartphones, tablets and other mobile devices are becoming popular the hardware of the future and these devices are on par with their predecessors, laptop or desktop, in terms of storage capacity and computing power. However, these mobile devices have limited usage due to low RAM memory, which restricts the number of applications that can be operated at one time and consumes battery power rapidly. Hence, the idea of developing a sophisticated transistor, which can perform the function of both a capacitor and a transistor, was a dream till now. Mentovich has achieved this and...
At the end of 2011 GEORG finishing lines division was assigned with the development and delivery of two cut-to-length lines and one slitting line, each with packaging line for the Russian aluminium producer Kamensk-Uralsky Metallurgical Works (KUMZ). Those lines are able to process aluminium coils with a strip width up to 2,800 mm. This important investment of KUMZ is focusing the increased export demands and the enhanced technology requirements of the aviation and transport industry. The project realisation of the lines, which will belong to the broadest cutting lines worldwide, is in full swing at the moment. The start of production is planned in beginning of 2014. "The scope of supply is completely handled by GEORG finishing lines division and includes besides the mechanical part also...
Jilin Liyuan Aluminium from Liaoyuan recently ordered two new presses from SMS Meer: A 160 MN front-loading press and a 60 MN direct/indirect tube press. With the two new machines, Jilin Liyuan Aluminium is continuing its growth and again setting standards on the market for large profiles and seamless tubes of aluminium. The new 160 MN front-loading press will be the largest modern front-loading extrusion press in operation worldwide. It will enable Jilin Liyuan to produce profiles up to one metre in width. The profiles can reach lengths of up to 28 metres – corresponding to the wagon length of modern high-speed trains such as the ICE or TGV. The 160 MN extrusion press now gives the engineers new design possibilities in the wagon construction: Until now several profiles has to be joined...
A signing ceremony between the Public Authority for Crafts Industries (PACI), represented by their Deputy Chairman Dr Isam bin Ali al Rawas, and Sohar Aluminium, represented by their CEO Henk Pauw, took place at PACI’s premises in Ghubrah yesterday. The agreement is a Memorandum of Understanding between the two parties whereby PACI will provide the trainer and the study material, while Sohar Aluminium will provide the faculties and funding for the programme. Sohar Aluminium is in the process of developing a training centre at its premises for aluminium craftwork, which will become the country’s first training centre for aluminium crafts. The centre will train selected women from low income families, from within the local community, on manufacturing aluminium crafts. It will be a 2 year...
JSE-listed aluminium products producer Hulamin on Tuesday reported that its headline earnings were expected to be between R54-million and R59-million for the six months ended June 30, compared with R71-million in the corresponding period of 2011. “Operational performance and production volumes were down in the second quarter, as a result of the failure of a motor on the Camps Drift hot line in April,” the company said in a statement. It added that the motor had now been repaired and the line had been operating normally since mid-June. “The resulting insurance claim has not yet been concluded and is not expected to impact the results to June 2012,” Hulamin stated. Meanwhile, it reported that the process of converting the Hulamin pension fund to defined contribution has resulted in an...
Accuride introduced Accu-Armor, the newest aluminum wheel product offering from its Accuride Wheels business unit. Accu-Armor aluminum wheels undergo a proprietary, multi-step, post-production treatment process that texturizes, anodizes and seals the surface without changing or compromising the wheels' original form, fit or function. As a result of this process, Accu-Armor aluminum wheels are highly resistant to scratching and scuffing; filiform corrosion; high- and low-pH chemicals commonly used in truck washes; and common chemicals used in de-icing road surfaces, the company says. Accu-Armor aluminum wheels are also durable under extended exposure to heat and UV light and will not chalk or fade, according to the company. Accuride says they are easy to clean and require very little...
Aleris today announced the establishment of the Commercial & Defense Plate global market segment and a centralized Sustainability initiative, both key strategic areas for the company. Commercial & Defense Plate, a new organization, is the company's fourth global market segment, complementing existing businesses serving Aerospace, Automotive and Heat Exchanger customers. Stephen S. Stone, formerly senior vice president and general manager, Rolled Products North America (RPNA), assumes the new role of vice president, Commercial & Defense Plate. Kelly R. Thomas, formerly vice president and Treasurer, has been named senior vice president and general manager, RPNA, replacing Stone. Eric Rychel, most recently a managing director for Barclays Capital in the Investment Banking Division, has...
