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....
Grow with
AL Circle
3A Composites adds aluminium composite panels with a foamed core under HYLITE
Under the well-known brand name HYLITE® the supplier 3A Composites recently started to also market aluminium composite panels with a foamed core. The core material for the 3 mm and 4 mm -panel thicknesses is foamed in a manufacturing process specially developed for this purpose. The result is an ultra-light aluminium composite panel that is up to 80 per cent lighter than conventional steel sheets or up to 60 per cent lighter than aluminium sheets yet provides the same flexural rigidity. The foamed core panel features other superlative technical properties. Major advantages include dimensional stability at high temperatures and excellent digital printing results, due to the high quality aluminium strips used in the production process. Applications range from totems or canopies over store...
Matalco opens new secondary aluminium plant in Lordstown, Ohio
Matalco, a sister company to the recycling firm Triple M Metals, headquartered in Brampton, Ontario, held the grand opening ceremony at its new secondary aluminium plant in Lordstown, Ohio. The company has been in a start-up mode since this past March, and has been producing aluminium billet. Matalco also operates a facility in Canton, Ohio, as well as a plant at its Toronto headquarters location. The company broke ground on the plant on Sept. 17, 2014 and construction started the following month. The facility, roughly 225,000 square feet in size, will primarily be consuming scrap aluminium, along with some aluminium P1020 ingot mixed in. The plant will be making aluminium billet in either log or cut-to-size billet, according to Robert Roscetti, vice president of Matalco U.S. Inc....
Aurukun bauxite hits hurdle over the granting of preferred developer status to Glencore
Aurukun bauxite deposit has been hit with a legal challenge over the granting of preferred developer status to mining giant Glencore. This has put the future of hundreds of potential jobs at stake. Aurukun Bauxite Developments has lodged a claim for a judicial review to the decision made under the Newman government claiming it was denied natural justice. Mr Nick Stump, who heads the $20 billion mining company, pointed to the decision by then state development minister Jeff Seeney to open and close the bidding process in 24 hours. In court documents ABD claims that the government decision to open and close the bid process in 24 hours did not give it any chance to respond to or make a submission for the preferred developer status. The massive deposit has been on the shelf for more than 40...
Guangdong gets tough on environmental pollution by local aluminium extruders
The government of Foshan City, Guangdong Province, which is home to China’s aluminium extrusion producers, has announced tough measures to curb environmental pollution by local aluminium extrusion producers, Southern Daily reported. It is required that 80 per cent of aluminium extrusion producers in the city shall install clean energy equipment before October 31, 2016 and all aluminium extrusion producers in the city shall do so before June 30, 2017.
Aleris names Jack Govers to lead its European Business & Global Aerospace and Automotive
Aleris Corporation announced today that it has appointed Jack Govers executive vice president, president of Europe and Global Markets. In this role, Govers will oversee all aspects of the European business as well as the company's global automotive and aerospace strategy. Govers joined Aleris on June 20 and will report directly to Sean Stack, Aleris president and chief executive officer. Govers most recently served as general manager, Global Forms for SABIC, one of the world's leading petrochemical producers. In this capacity, he was leading a global business team focused on serving and innovating with customers in the automotive, aerospace and consumer electronics markets. Jack also previously served as general manager of SABIC's global sheet and film business, during which he also had...
Multi-material lightweighting by Novelis, Sertec, Stanley Fastening, SMS Group to be presented in Shanghai
The 4th Automotive Lightweight Supply-Chain Symposium will be kicked off on the 11th of July 2016 in the days leading up to the DIECATING CHINA EXHIBITIONS in Shanghai, China. The symposium offers the perfect setup to interchange with speakers and delegates from Chinese as well as International OEMs and Tiers. The prolific visitors profile' features brands like CHANGAN, SMS GROUP, WEBASTO, BAOSTEEL, JAGUAR LAND ROVER, SHILOH, CHERY, SUMITOMO CORP, KOBELCO, BMW, NOVELIS, STRIKOWESTOFEN, and BODO MÖLLER CHEMIE to name a few. Benefits: (All included in the registration price) • Three days of networking at the five-star Jumeirah Himalaya Hotel • 13+ executive speeches (40 min - 55 min) with simultaneous interpretation from/to English-Chinese • High rate of international participants with 77...
Short squeeze to boost SHFE aluminium prices, SMM reports
A potential short squeeze is in sight, and this will bolster SHFE near month aluminium contract prices, most market players contacted by SMM predict. Positions of SHFE 1607 aluminium are 111,144 lots yesterday, which require 277,860 tonnes of aluminium for delivery. However, inventories of deliverable SHFE aluminium were just 57,399 tonnes, which is far from enough. Such high positions will expose investors to potential short squeeze. So, shorts will either have to simply close out positions, which will boost SHFE 1607 aluminium prices , or roll positions to distant month aluminium contracts on the SHFE, which will support SHFE 1607 aluminium prices while driving down SHFE distant month aluminium contract prices. Continuous declines in domestic aluminium stocks serve as another support to...
Aluminium prices hit a 1-month high, China still not cutting capacity
A recovery in demand is a key factor supporting aluminium prices this year. China unleashed a renewed government stimulus in the form of credit expansion and infrastructure building in December, which has — at least momentarily — improved the demand side of the equation for industrial metals. Trade figures this year showed China’s relatively strong appetite for aluminium. Higher demand means exporting less as Chinese companies are consuming more aluminium domestically. China’s exports of unwrought aluminium and aluminium semis were 420,000 metric tons in May. From January to May, exports are down 7.9 per cent compared to the same period last year. Overcapacity Still an Issue China and the U.S. failed to reach an agreement on how to address excess global aluminium capacity in early June....
Inner Mongolia to deepen coal-electricity-aluminium industry chain
Coal-electricity-aluminium industry has been booming in Holingola city, Inner Mongolia, one of China’s major aluminium producing regions, in recent years thanks to rich coal resources there, reported industry sources. The city hosted 148 coal-electricity-aluminium projects during the 2011-2015, with coal capacity at 33.4 million tonnes, thermal power installed capacity at 4.12 million kilowatts and primary aluminium capacity at 1.68 million tonnes. The local government will extend coal-electricity-aluminium value chain this year. To this end, Inner Mongolia Jinlian Aluminum Co. will finish construction of 2 sets of 660,000-kw power generating units and add primary aluminium capacity by 430,000 tonnes. Inner Mongolia Chuangyuan Metal Co. will add primary aluminium capacity by 150,000...
Rio Tinto unveils new organizational structure and executive team
Rio Tinto will strengthen its organizational structure to continue to drive performance under its new chief executive Jean-Sébastien Jacques. From 2 July 2016, Rio Tinto’s product group structure will be adjusted to better align the Group’s assets with the business strategy to help drive further efficiencies and optimize performance. The Group’s world-class assets will be firmly at the centre of the business and will be supported by efficient and agile global functions. Jean-Sébastien Jacques said “In the face of testing times for the industry, Rio Tinto is performing remarkably well. Our ambition is to deliver superior performance day-in and day-out so that we create value for our shareholders and communities now and over the long term. “Our strategy, commitment to balance sheet strength...
ICSOBA 2016 Conference to be held in Quebec City, Canada on Oct 3-6
The International Committee for Study of Bauxite, Alumina & Aluminium is organizing their 2016 edition of the international event in the period 3 - 6 October, 2016 in the Palace Royal hotel, Quebec, Canada. Since 1963 ICSOBA has organized 33 international events in different places of the world. The selection of Quebec, Canada for the 34th International Conference and Exhibition, follows ICSOBA’s practice of rotating the venue of International Meetings to countries that play an important role in the global aluminium industry. The Conference is supported by Rio Tinto and REGAL (Quebec Aluminium R&D centers associations). Numerous abstracts from Quebec and international researchers have already reached the organizers. On Monday morning, 3 October, six keynote speakers will make...
Yunnan Aluminum to build large alumina project in Laos
Yunnan Aluminum Co.’s alumina project in Laos, which has been filed at China’s NDRC and passed censorship by authorities in Laos, is now waiting for approval by the Laos government, the company's executive told Yunnan Daily. The project, with total investment at $900 million, will produce 3 million tonnes of bauxite each year and 1 million tonnes of alumina. Bauxite reserves in Laos are estimated at over 5 billion tonnes. The company hopes to begin construction on the project within this year.
Orbite provides operational update on HPA plant construction
Orbite Technologies Inc. has provided an operational update on the company's progress with the construction of its high purity alumina plant, its commercial activities and expansion of its intellectual property portfolio. HPA plant update • CNC Mecanique was remobilized the week of May 24th to complete (notably) work on the high temperature steam piping for the calcination system, and they should be demobilized by the week of July 4th. • Isolation Morrisette was remobilized the week of June 6th. • The company put out to tender, in May, the remainder of piping mechanical and electrical work to be completed. • Piping mechanical was awarded to Fjordtech Industries Inc., who will be commencing work in the week of July 4th. • The work was awarded to Fjordtech on a fixed-price basis with...
EU clears path for Ball, Rexam acquisition to proceed
The European Union on Monday, June 20, cleared packaging company Ardagh SA’s roughly $3.42 billion acquisition of assets belonging to Ball Corp. and Rexam PLC, clearing the way for the aluminium beverage can-makers’ merger. The European Commission, the bloc’s antitrust agency, said in a statement that it “concluded that the proposed acquisition would raise no competition concerns, because Ardagh is not active in the manufacturing of aluminium beverage cans, nor on related markets.” In January, the EU waived through Ball Corp.’s £4.4 billion ($4.96 billion) acquisition of rival aluminium beverage-can maker Rexam PLC after Ball agreed to sell 12 production plants in Europe. The EU had opened an in-depth investigation into the deal, over concerns the combination of the world’s two biggest...
Greenhouse projects on mined-out bauxite lands aiding economic growth in Jamaica
Two major water harvesting and Greenhouse projects that have been recently started in Watt Town and Tobolski in South West St. Ann in Jamaica are helping farmers earn revenues after a long hiatus. The projects running successfully on mined-out bauxite lands are adding substantial economic value to their communities, the farmers said. President of the Tobolski Farmers’ Group, Roselda Walker said the projects provide a great opportunity for residents of the community to improve their lives through agriculture. The overall project is worth $243 million, with $173 million coming from JSIF and $61 million from the JBI. The farmers are engaged in the cultivation of eight crops, including sweet peppers and tomatoes for the hotel sector. She stated that based on the success of the project so far,...
China bans export of high strength aluminium alloys to North Korea
China has banned the export of 40 items to the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) that could be used to develop nuclear arms and other weapons of mass destruction. The list of banned products and materials, which adds to a much longer Chinese list of prohibited goods released in 2013, includes metal hydrides, high strength aluminium alloys as well as laser-welding and plasma cutting equipment, state-run news agency Xinhua quoted China's Ministry of Commerce as saying on 14 June. These so-called 'dual-use' products have both civilian and military use. The ministry also said it banned the export of a dozen chemicals that could be used in the production of 'chemical warfare agents'.
Aluminium sheet and plate shipments by U.S., Canadian producers totaled 697.6 mln lbs in May
According to the data released by The Aluminum Association in their latest edition of Aluminum Highlights, estimated net shipments of Aluminium Sheet and Plate by U.S. and Canadian producers totaled 697.6 million pounds during May 2016, off two-tenths of one percent from the May 2015 total of 699.3 million pounds. Compared to the previous month, shipments were down 1.4 percent from the April 2016 total of 707.2 million pounds. Year-to-date shipments through May 2016 totaled 3,489.3 million pounds, up 1.3 percent over the year-to-date 2015 total of 3,443.0 million pounds. Shipments of Can Stock totaled 350.0 million pounds during May 2016, a rise of six-tenths of one percent over the May 2015 total of 348.1 million pounds, while shipments of Non-heat Treatable Sheet (excluding Can Stock)...
Recycling of solar panels consisting aluminium is a multi-billion dollar money-spinner, IRENA
More than 23 million solar panels are installed in Australia and 222 gigawatts+ of PV modules are in place globally. This will present a significant business opportunity in recycling says the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). By weight, a solar panel mainly consist of aluminium, glass and silicon. More than 90 per cent of a module’s weight can be recycled into more solar panels or other items – and it can be done at a profit. Reduce, reuse, recycle are the 3R’s of sustainability. The concept applies to “green” products such as solar modules made out of aluminium and other recyclable materials as much as any other. While good quality solar panels have a lifespan of decades; they will ultimately wind up as waste. A report released earlier today by IRENA and the International...
