AL Circle Analysis: Aluminium’s recycling economics, trade walls and carbon rules converge
The story of the aluminium industry is starting a chapter wherein scrap availability, recycling technology, trade policy, carbon costs and demand growth are becoming increasingly interconnected. From the US and Canada to Europe, India, New Zealand and China, recent developments show that the global aluminium supply chain is being reshaped on several fronts at once. These developments point to a changing aluminium business model: access to metal alone may no longer be enough. Quality of recycled feedstock, domestic processing capacity, carbon intensity, trade exposure and the ability to meet increasingly specific customer requirements could become equally important competitive factors. Join the fourth edition of the webinar “Hedging for recyclers - Become an expert in 6 hours” by Jorge...
Europe holds 10% of global aluminium extrusion demand, supported by Germany’s Constellium, France’s Hydro Extrusions & Italy’s Metra
Across Europe, aluminium extrusion has become closely woven into some of the region’s biggest industrial and construction markets. From automotive and transport to buildings and industrial applications, extruded profiles are finding demand across a wide range of sectors. This is reflected in Europe’s position in the global market: the region accounted for 12 per cent of global aluminium extrusion capacity, making it the second-largest regional contributor after China. At the same time, Europe represented 10 per cent of global aluminium extrusion usage, out of total global usage of 35.35 million tonnes . With production capacity and usage shares relatively close, Europe’s extrusion capacity and consumption are broadly at par. If we break down Europe’s 10 per cent share of global aluminium...
Grow with
AL Circle
Tata Motors' X451 premium hatchbacks likely to house lighter aluminium engines
Tata Motors has made its new direction clear with cars like the Tiago, the Kite 5 and the Nexon. There are at least six new cars that the carmaker is actively working on (apart from everything it’s shown so far at the Auto Expo), involving its multiple design studios, engineering arms and its blue-eyed boys — Jaguar and Land Rover. Arguably the more important of these is a car code-named the X451, a premium hatchback that will take on the likes of the Maruti Suzuki Baleno and the Hyundai Elite i20. Unlike the Bolt, which was a rehashed Vista, the X451 is a ground-up design. The upcoming hatchback will be based on Tata’s new Advanced Modular Platform (AMP), and powertrain options will be new 4-cylinder petrol and diesel engines. There is concrete information about the engine line-up yet,...
Strong USD, weak fuel prices and bauxite barter lead to lower operating costs at alumina refineries
CRU's recently published Alumina Cost Service, 2016 Edition examines the key themes which had a significant effect on the alumina industry in 2015, including the main drivers behind the significant decrease in world average site costs. Three key themes emerged as particularly notable, including the impact of falling fuel prices, the continued strengthening of the US dollar and its effect on alumina costs in US$ terms, and the changing dynamics of bauxite sourcing in China. Fuel costs, which include oil, gas and coal consumed during the digestion, precipitation and calcination stages of the refining process, are the second largest contributor to site costs at most refineries, comprising 19.9 per cent of the world average site cost in 2015. Although the amount of fuel used in the production...
Chinese artist creates aluminium wonder installations for Bangkok mall
Bangkok's Gaysorn mall has gotten livelier with art, beginning with the exhibition "Jordy's Multidiscipline Showcase", which continues right through July. China's Yu Jordy Fu combines architecture, fashion and art to demonstrate that creativity is truly boundless. Jordy has adapted Chinese paper-cutting techniques to stainless steel and aluminium, coated the metal in white powder to create clod like structures. He has further deployed LED lights and natural illumination from the skylights to create shadows. "I've seen Jordy's works in several countries and really admire her talent," says Korakot Srivikorn, Gaysorn's executive director. "For this show we wanted her to create pieces that would fit in harmoniously with the mall." Shoppers are immediately dazzled on entering by the sight of...
Extruded aluminium a popular choice as Nepal rebuilds
The April 2015 7.8Mw earthquake in Nepal damaged hundreds of thousands of homes across the country. As the Nepalese continue to rebuild, many of them have chosen extruded aluminium doors and windows rather than traditional wood. “Previously wood was the first choice for doors and windows. Owing to high cost, the use of wood is fast depleting and people have shifted to aluminium,” explained Anu Rajbanshi, Sales and Marketing Manager at Skylight, a firm that imports Sapa’s Technal products from France and Thai products from Thailand. “Unlike wooden windows and doors, aluminium does not fade, matches with style and design of building, requires less maintenance and paint jobs.” “The demand for aluminium doors and windows has increased by 200 per cent after the earthquake,” said Managing...
Sapa sells Cuprochimique to European Metal Supplies
Norway’s Sapa Group announced Saturday that it has divested itself of metal trading company Cuprochimique NV. Belgian firm European Metal Supplies NV are the new owners of Cuprochimique as of Wednesday, June 22. “Together with Cuprochimque we will strengthen our position in the market by expanding our business range and diversifying our product portfolio,” said majority owner David Tavernier. European Metal Supplies and Cuprochimique join forces as players in the metal trading industry. According to Sapa, Cuprochimique has a yearly turnover of between US$9 million and US$11 million. The firm employs sixteen people at its location in the Flemish port city of Ghent, Belgium. Sapa first acquired Cuprochimique in 2003 as part of its acquisition of Remi Claeys Aluminium. “With the sale of...
Constellium unveils new set of sustainability targets for 2020
Constellium N.V. announced new sustainability targets for the year 2020 on June 23, as the company looks forward to taking the next step towards unlocking the full value of conducting responsible business. In its Business and Sustainability Performance Report 2015, Constellium evaluates its performance against the original 2012-2015 targets and announces new goals for 2020. Constellium first established its strategic direction for sustainability in 2012 across four key priority areas: people, products, operations and responsible business. Today, the company reports progress on its performance and outlines concrete objectives raising industry standards even higher for the years to come. Constellium’s sustainability agenda for 2020 is the product of a year-long materiality assessment, led...
Japanese aluminium buyers said to settle on 23% lower premium
Aluminium buyers in Japan, Asia’s top importer, have settled on a premium that’s as much as 23 percent lower for the July quarter, as rising output swells a global glut of the lightweight alloy. The premium for the three months starting July 1 will drop to $90 a metric ton from $115-$117 a ton in the current quarter, according to two Japanese buyers, who asked not to be named because the talks are confidential. The Japanese premium is the benchmark for Asia and indicates the amount paid to global producers on top of London Metal Exchange prices. The premium was last at $90 a ton in the October quarter last year. The two buyers said they have settled with a single seller. Price negotiations continue between Japanese companies and other global suppliers. The lower fee reflects excess...
RUSAL BoD approves Agreement on restoration of Friguia Alumina Refinery
<p>United Company RUSAL Plc announced that on 22 June 2016 the company's Board of Directors has approved (i) Annex 12 to the Dian-Dian Concession Agreement dated 21 July 2001 in relation to the Dian-Dian project; and (ii) an agreement on restoration of the alumina refinery Friguia and its further expansion, that were signed by the company and the Republic of Guinea.<br /><br /> <strong>Annex 12</strong><br /><br /> Taking into account the economic situation in the alumina industry, the parties to the Annex 12 agreed that the construction of a new alumina refinery on the bauxite mine Dian-Dian is not economically feasible. In this regard, Annex 12 provides the following obligations to the company:<br /><br /> 1) The first stage of the bauxite production: The construction of a bauxite mine...
No mining block from Odisha makes it to the July auction list
None of the Odisha mining blocks has made it to the final list of blocks that would be auctioned in July. The Union Ministry of mines has come up with a list of 31 blocks, the auction process for which has already been initiated by different state governments. There are five blocks in Andhra Pradesh, 14 in Karnataka, four in Madhya Pradesh and eight in Maharashtra. According to the sources in the steel and mines department, the Centre has not permitted auction of any block from Odisha as they have not been upgraded to G-2 level of exploration which has been made mandatory in the auction rules. Official sources said that the state government lined up six iron ore, limestone and bauxite blocks for auction. The combined market value of these blocks is estimated at INR18,620 crore. The Malda...
Third-generation landfill owner turns to aluminium recycling
More than five years ago when Dan Hannagan inherited his family landfill business in far-north Queensland, little he did realize what prospects the site held in terms of recyclability. It was just another privately owned dump in the region. Soon, Hannagan transformed the site into a recycling ground, where every waste having substantial reuse value such as aluminium, stainless steel, or copper product is sorted and recycled on site, or sent away to third-party recycling agents. Hannagan makes it a point to recycle as much metal as possible to limit the amount of it going underground. But there is little money to be made in any form of recycling, even if one owns and operates his own landfill, says Hannagan. Nevertheless, Hannagan feels obliged to do his part for the environment “as long...
Larson Electronics releases aluminium made single-lamp explosion proof fluorescent light fixture
The EPL-48-1L fluorescent light fixture from Larson Electronics is a four-foot explosion proof fixture fitted with a single lamp. Lamp options include a 54-watt T5HO lamp, a 60-watt T12HO lamp, or a 32-watt T8 lamp. This fixture carries a T6 temperature rating and is approved for use in paint spray booths. The lamp is protected by a heat and impact resistant Pyrex tube and the fixture is constructed of copper free aluminium alloy. The lamp reflector is corrosion resistant and heavy gauge aluminium coated with a high gloss reflective finish. The fixture is universal voltage capable and can operate on 120 to 277 volts AC. Power connection is made through a ½” threaded wiring hub. This unit is standardly shipped with surface mount brackets that allow the unit to be mounted to any flat...
Xiaomi launches QiCycle electric bike with a foldable aluminium frame
Chinese tech giant Xiaomi has unveiled its first foldable electric bike - QiCycle. The smart cycle is part of the company's Mi Ecosystem. It has been priced at $455 and will be available for pre-order in China, starting today. The smart cycle flaunts a lightweight aluminium frame and weighs 13.5kg. The QiCycle with the unique aluminium frame comes with a longitudinal folding design. This means that the main beam is not folded and also ensures easy storage after folding. The bike is equipped with the TMM torque sensing technology. It senses the amount of effort put in by the rider on the pedal and provides appropriate power for a comfortable ride. The electric cycle incorporates an intelligent motion data monitoring feature that keeps track of speed, mileage, dynamic power and calories...
Kodi moves into hardware with posh aluminium case for its media toolbox
The makers of the Kodi media toolbox, the erstwhile Xbox Media Centre aka XBMC, has launched their first piece of hardware donning an aluminium case. The Kodi case is designed to house a Raspberry Pi 3 and turn it into a proper nice little box that can be kept ona shelf below the main TV. The Kodi Edition Raspberry Pi aluminium case is apparently a limited run special thing, built for the company by US-based manufacturer Flirc. Given that it doesn't include the actual Pi hardware the asking price is rather low, with with £16 getting pro and am tinkerers one of the cases from the UK Pi Hut. The box's aluminium housing doubles as a heat sink for the little chipset, which the maker says one should be able to plug the board into and screw into position in seconds, with the hardest part of the...
BAE, IBC sign beryllium-aluminium components development pact
BAE Systems and IBC Advanced Alloys have signed a joint development agreement to produce components based on the latter company’s beryllium-aluminium alloys. IBC said on June 22, it will initially develop prototype components to demonstrate the characteristics of Beralcast casted products for specific applications at BAE under the deal. David Heinz, IBC president and CEO, said the partnership supports the company’s efforts to introduce its Beralcast technology to the global aerospace market. IBC added it offered Beralcast to another aerospace and defense company for potential use in the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program. The Beralcast suite of beryllium-aluminium alloys is designed to also serve as an alternative for aluminium, magnesium, titanium, metal matrix composites, pure beryllium...
Maxion Wheels opens new aluminium wheel plant in Brazil
Maxion Wheels, a division of Iochpe Maxion S. A., marked the opening of a new light vehicle aluminium wheel plant in Limeira, São Paulo, Brazil, this week with an inauguration celebration. The new plant, adjacent to the company's existing steel wheel plant, will add two million aluminium wheels per year in capacity and create an additional 500 new jobs by 2020. According to Marcos Oliveira, Iochpe-Maxion's Chief Executive Officer, the new factory will meet the domestic Brazilian market's increasing demand for cars with aluminium wheels. "Brazilian consumers are following the global trend for more sophisticated and stylish vehicles, which includes a growing demand for aluminium wheels on most new car models," Oliveira said. "Besides this investment in Limeira, Maxion Wheels recently...
Alba awarded Certificate of Excellence by RDC
Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba), the Bahrain-based international aluminium smelter, is proud to have received a Certificate of Excellence from R&D Carbon-Switzerland (RDC), one of the leading providers of Carbon Electrodes Technologies, on the occasion of completing 10 years of outstanding performance in Carbon sampling and analysis. Alba’s Chief Marketing Officer, Khalid A. Latif and Manager Customer Technical Services (CTS) Hussain Al Malali congratulated the Laboratory team during a ceremony that was held to mark this occasion. Speaking at the occasion, CMO Khalid Al. Latif said: “We are proud that our processes and facilities adhere, if not exceed, the highest international standards and best practices in the industry. Being recognised by a renowned establishment like RDC is a...
Aluminium prices trading near one-month high
Aluminium prices hovered near one-month high this week with the metal benefiting from an overall increase in risk appetite on the sentiment that the UK will remain in the EU. Prior this week, the sentiment leaned toward the expectation that the UK would exit and concerns over that it would send investors on a flight to safety. Base metals like aluminium are perceived as riskier investments. While the market’s recent focus has been on Brexit, and this has controlled the metal’s price, overall, aluminium’s fundamentals are weak with the biggest challenge remaining the market’s oversupply, but demand has been a bit of a bright spot. Aluminium saw some upside earlier in the year after China increased its infrastructure spending. However, there are concerns over how sustainable China’s demand...
Sapa's profile expertise helps Kestrel spread its wings
Supplier to the fenestration industry, Kestrel Aluminium Systems, has strengthened the relationship with its main supplier of extruded aluminium products, Oslo-based Sapa Profiles. Black country firm Kestrel originally started as a simple distributor of shopfront systems in 1989. However, the business has since developed considerably to include a range of complex, domestic products. All Kestrel’s products, including their Commercial Door System, Folding Sliding Door, Curtain Walling and Shopfront System use aluminium extrusions from Sapa Profiles and today Sapa supplies Kestrel with approximately 500 tonnes of aluminium each year. Kestrel Aluminium Systems managing director, Steven Shute, said: “We have worked with Sapa for many years and their knowledge of the material has been...
