A should-cost analysis of an aluminium tower furnace in India: Comparing the economics of LPG, PNG, and electric energy sources
In precision non-ferrous casting and high-volume die-casting operations, thermal energy conversion represents one of the largest controllable operating expenses. In modern aluminium foundries, where margins are squeezed by primary metal price fluctuations and stringent customer cost breakdowns, even a modest INR 1–2/kg variance in liquid metal melting cost can translate into tens of lakhs of rupees in annual cost differences. A rigorous, transparent should-cost benchmark is therefore essential for procurement teams, foundry managers and strategic sourcing leaders. This analysis examines a baseline should-cost model for a 1,000 kg/hour aluminium shaft or tower furnace in an industrial foundry. It compares liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), piped natural gas (PNG) and electric energy across...
Germany’s construction aluminium demand falls 12%, but 2027 recovery and recycling offer fresh growth prospects
Germany’s construction industry has endured several years of contraction, weighed down by elevated financing costs, expensive building materials and subdued residential investment. The downturn has also affected the country’s aluminium industry, with estimated construction-related aluminium consumption declining by around 12 per cent between 2022 and 2025. However, the outlook is beginning to change. With Germany’s construction industry projected to return to growth in 2026 and accelerate further in 2027, opportunities are emerging for aluminium suppliers across residential construction, transport infrastructure, energy networks and commercial developments. At the same time, efforts to strengthen closed-loop aluminium recycling in buildings could provide an additional avenue for growth....
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China Zhongwang to spend big money in buying aluminium extrusion equipment
China Zhongwang Holdings, Asia’s top aluminium extrusion manufacturer, announced that two of its fully-owned subsidiaries will buy 99 sets of aluminium extrusion production equipment. The purchase will cost a total of 3.13 billion yuan ($470 million), and these two subsidiaries are Panjin Zhongwang Aluminum Industry Co. and Yingkou Zhongwang Aluminum Industry Co.
Aluminum Association releases 4th edition of Guidelines for Handling Molten Aluminum
The Aluminum Association released yesterday the fourth edition of the Guidelines for Handling Molten Aluminum. The first edition was published in 1980. With previous updates in 1990 and 2002, this latest revision represents the hundreds of years of collective expertise in managing molten metal accumulated by many leading industry experts. The updated Guidelines are available for purchase in the Association’s online bookstore. “The Aluminum Association and the aluminum industry have long put the safety and well-being of its employees at the forefront of their priorities,” said Garney Scott, CEO of Scepter Inc. and Chairman of the Aluminum Association. “The industry has made considerable progress in protecting its employees and the Association’s Guidelines is a key asset to this work.”...
Vedanta Resources Plc hosts second Annual Sustainable Development Day
Vedanta Resources Plc ("Vedanta", together with its subsidiaries) hosted a Sustainable Development Day in London on 24 June 2016. This was the second time that the annual event has been held. Analysts, investors and members of key industry bodies attended the event to share an update on the company's sustainable development activities. At the meeting, Anil Agarwal, Chairman, Vedanta Resources Plc, commented in his opening remarks: "Sustainable development is at the heart of our business and I continue to ensure it is a priority for the company and its subsidiaries. We have made substantial progress on our sustainability journey, thanks to the efforts of our management team and everyone who works at Vedanta, and I am committed to the goal of zero harm, zero discharge and zero waste." Anil...
Indian states begin process to auction 32 mines
Four states including Maharashtra and Karnataka have started the process of auctioning 32 mines that bear minerals such as iron ore, diamond, bauxite and limestone. The initial bids for mines in these states, which also include Andhra Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, are scheduled to start from this week, extending till August. While Karnataka has put 14 iron ore mines on the block, Maharashtra has put two blocks each of bauxite and tungsten and one block each of iron ore, mines on the block, Maharashtra has put two blocks each of bauxite and tungsten and one block each of iron ore, limestone, copper and manganese, a senior government official said. Andhra Pradesh has put 5 limestone mines for auction and Madhya Pradesh has placed 4 limestone and one block of diamond to go under the hammer,...
Passenger coaches with aluminium bodies, made in India, to arrive in Dhaka by December
All passenger coaches for the Bangladesh railway under the Indian line of credit will arrive in Dhaka by December, the Indian High Commission has said. Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina on Saturday launched a new train—‘Sonar Bangla Express’—between Dhaka and Chittagong. She also re-launched the Silk City express between Dhaka and Rajshahi with newly built Indian coaches. Bangladesh and India signed the first-ever line of credit pegged at $1 billion in 2010, but India later converted $200 million of the loan money into grants. It was the largest ever one-time assistance offered by India to any country. The Indian High Commission says the Silk City express will have 12 coaches consisting of two AC chair cars (78 seats each), two first AC coaches (24 berths each), six non-AC...
Changing dynamics in the European aluminium markets after the Brexit revolution- A talk with Maurizio Sala, President, Amafond (Italian Foundry Suppliers’Association)
We agree that “the UK’s decision to leave the EU has sent shockwaves through the continent, and the secondary aluminium industry has no idea how this decision will affect business – even among those in the UK who voted for Brexit”. Industry participants across Europe echoed these sentiments espressed by Maurizio Sala, President of Amafond ( the Italian Foundry Suppliers’ Association ). A first view on the general situation lead us to see that both scrap dealers and secondary aluminium ingot producers sell into Europe, while manufacturers on the continent sell large volumes of products into the UK. Sales of both metal in Europe and cars in the UK could be affected by the leave decision, with consequences from the start to the end of the value chain. In the UK, a straw poll conducted by...
POWER Engineers help AEP replace 240 circuit-miles line with energinzed aluminium conductor
POWER Engineers Inc. has helped American Electric Power successfully complete the longest replacement of energized conductor (with aluminium composite core) in the United States and bring more reliable power to the residents of South Texas. Now that landmark project has earned AEP the electric power industry’s most prestigious honor, the Edison Award. As the engineer of record, POWER worked closely with AEP’s contractor to design a temporary single-phase line that allowed the entire 240 circuit-miles to be replaced with aluminium conductor composite core while energized. It involved installing more than 1,440 miles of advanced conductor on the 240 circuit-miles. The Edison Electric Institute award recognizes AEP’s leadership and innovation in replacing conductor on two 345 kV transmission...
Rare earth-high iron aluminium alloy cable production starts in China
Gansu Xibeizhiguang Cable Co. has begun producing rare earth and high iron aluminium alloy cables at their Lanzhou city facilities in China, reported industry sources. Rare Earth Elements make the world’s strongest permanent magnets. These magnets are utilized in electric motors to produce greater power and torque. Electric motors that utilize REEs are a key component of hybrid vehicles, which will become increasingly abundant on roads throughout the world in years to come. Most energy efficient lighting (compact fluorescent lamps) and display panels (LEDS, Plasma, LCDs) require the use of REEs as phosphors. Rare Earth Elements are also used in another form of catalyst, commonly referred to as a fluid-cracking catalyst. These are being used increasingly in the oil industry as they enhance...
Landowning unit visits bauxite mining site in Wainunu, Bua
Landowning units and the people of Wainunu were taken to the Nawailevu bauxite mining sites in Bua to see the success of the rehab program. Tui Wainunu Ratu Orisi Baleitavea said groups had been taken to Nawailevu as an educational and informative visit. "This has been happening for some time now and it's an informative and education visit to help our people make informed decisions," he said. "During their visits, the officials show them what happens during mining and what is done for the rehabilitation. It has been a success and the landowners and our villagers have appreciated what they have learnt and what they've seen for themselves," he said. The students of Ratu Luke Secondary School in Wainunu have also been part of the trip. Ratu Orisi said the students went through the same...
Some Japanese aluminium buyers agree to pay Q3 premium of $90/T
Some Japanese aluminium buyers have agreed to pay producers a premium of $90 per tonne for metal to be shipped in the July-September quarter, two sources directly involved in the quarterly pricing talks said on Monday. The deal, which marks a 22-23 percent fall from a $115-117 per tonne premium (PREM-ALUM-JP) in the previous quarter, is the first drop in three quarters, in line with a slide in overseas surcharges for physical aluminium. Japan is Asia's biggest importer of aluminium and the premiums for primary metal shipments it agrees to pay each quarter over the London Metal Exchange (LME) cash price set the benchmark for the region.
Sohar Aluminium achieves new production record
Sohar Aluminium, the largest non-hydrocarbon industrial venture in the Sultanate of Oman, achieved a new production record in 2015 -- one of a slew of operational improvements logged by the company last year. Aluminium production jumped from 363,528 tonnes in 2014 to 377,186 tonnes last year -- the highest annual output in the company's history. This was achieved by operating at the highest amperage -- 389kA at the end of the year, at targeted current efficiency and operating pots levels, and a production rate of 2,879 kg Al/pot/day -- amongst the best in the world for this technology and amperage, the company said in its newly released Sustainability Report 2015. "To achieve this feat, all departments across the smelter operated at significantly better levels than in previous years. The...
Israeli architect creates monumental aluminium structure for St Pancras station in London
Celebrated architect, designer, sculptor and Royal Academician Ron Arad has been commissioned by the public art scheme- Terrace Wires organizers to create a monumental aluminium structure for installation at St Pancras station, London. The art piece will be unveiled on 7 July, organizing committee spokesperson said to the media. There has been a public art scheme in place called Terrace Wires - operated by HS1, the owner of St Pancras station in London. Every year it invites a committee comprised of broadcaster Evan Davis; Nigel Carrington, rector at the University of the Arts London; artist and curator Chris Wainwright; Royal Academy artistic director Tim Marlow; Nicola Shaw, chief executive of HS1; and Wallpaper editorial director Richard Cook, to commission a work to hang above the...
SHFE aluminium to outperform LME aluminium
The US dollar index kept rising following UK leave vote. A series of US economic data to be released later in the day will have temporary impact on the US dollar index. LME aluminium will continue facing downward pressure from strong dollar and drop to USD 1,585-1,605/mt. Impact on SHFE 1608 aluminium from UK vote result has faded, and the contract should move at RMB 12,300-12,400/mt, supported by falling aluminium stocks in China. In China’s spot aluminium market, spot premiums of RMB 20-60/mt are expected over SHFE 1607 aluminium contract. Key macroeconomic indicators for base metal prices Diverging trend is expected for base metals on Tuesday with focus on US Q1 annualized GDP, house price index in 20 cities for April and June Conference Board’s CCI. Markets expect US Q1 annualized GDP...
China Hongqiao to acquire alumina producer for $319 mln
China Hongqiao Group will spend 2.12 billion yuan ($319 million) in acquiring all stakes in one Chinese alumina producer, reported industry sources. The alumina producer to be acquired, namely Binzhou Beihai Xinhe New Materials Co., now has designed annual alumina capacity at 2 million tonnes and 240-megawatt power generating units. The move will help improve China Hongqiao Group’s raw material and power self-sufficiency.
Tata Motors' X451 premium hatchbacks likely to house lighter aluminium engines
Tata Motors has made its new direction clear with cars like the Tiago, the Kite 5 and the Nexon. There are at least six new cars that the carmaker is actively working on (apart from everything it’s shown so far at the Auto Expo), involving its multiple design studios, engineering arms and its blue-eyed boys — Jaguar and Land Rover. Arguably the more important of these is a car code-named the X451, a premium hatchback that will take on the likes of the Maruti Suzuki Baleno and the Hyundai Elite i20. Unlike the Bolt, which was a rehashed Vista, the X451 is a ground-up design. The upcoming hatchback will be based on Tata’s new Advanced Modular Platform (AMP), and powertrain options will be new 4-cylinder petrol and diesel engines. There is concrete information about the engine line-up yet,...
Strong USD, weak fuel prices and bauxite barter lead to lower operating costs at alumina refineries
CRU's recently published Alumina Cost Service, 2016 Edition examines the key themes which had a significant effect on the alumina industry in 2015, including the main drivers behind the significant decrease in world average site costs. Three key themes emerged as particularly notable, including the impact of falling fuel prices, the continued strengthening of the US dollar and its effect on alumina costs in US$ 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...
