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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Altech forecasts surge in high purity alumina demand driven by lithium-ion batteries
Following its 3 June 2016 announcement regarding the strong interest shown in Altech Chemicals Limited as an emerging high purity alumina (HPA) producer during the 12th China International Battery Fair, the company has now presented its 10-year forecast of global demand for HPA used in the lithium-ion battery manufacturing sector. The company has estimated that demand for HPA from lithium-ion battery manufacturers will grow significantly over the next decade from forecast usage of ~1,000tpa in 2016 to ~15,000tpa in 2025; this represents annual year on-year demand growth of approximately 30 per cent per year. In order to meet this demand, additional HPA production capacity equivalent to four (4) of Altech’s proposed 4,000tpa HPA plants in Malaysia would need to be constructed and...
Rayming Technology brought aluminium based LED PCB to the LED manufacturing industry
Aluminium base LED PCB, also referred as MCPCB, has more efficient thermal transfer capability compared to rigid PCB, hence considered an ideal material for LED manufacturing. Rayming Technology started to use aluminium as base material for manufacturing LED PCB. Rayming Technology, an LED PCB manufacturer from China making rapid progress as a premier OEM supplier for the global LED manufacturing industry, recently started using aluminium as the primary base material for the LED PCB components that they manufacture. The manufacturers said that the thermally conductive PCBs that they manufacture have been proven highly effective in LED lighting system manufacturing. During a recent press conference, the owners of the China based PCB prototyping company explained the benefits of using...
BMW R 5 Hommage motorcycle features special parts crafted from billet aluminium
The BMW R 5 Hommage is a spectacular custom motorcycle introduced to the public at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2016. The machine pays tribute to the original R 5 model released 80 years ago. This anniversary bike featuring a host of aluminium-made special parts embodies the essence of what motorcycling was back in the day, albeit in a modern, custom form. The BMW R 5 Hommage is a rather minimalist build, with everything kept clean and simple, and carefully hiding the modern, high-tech solutions behind the strong old-school vibe. The BMW R 5 Hommage features a eange of special parts that were missing in the original R 5 model. The designer duo, whom the manufacturing of the motorcycle was entrusted upon, added valve cover and the breastplate, machined from billet aluminium. Save...
Rusal may cut capacity if aluminium falls below $1,500/T
Russian aluminium giant Rusal Plc may reduce its output capacity by 200,000 tonnes if aluminium prices fall below $1,500 per tonne, Chief Executive Vladislav Soloviev was quoted as saying in a recent press meet. Overtaken last year by China's Hongqiao as the world's top aluminium producer, Rusal has long considered a plan to reduce capacity but has never pegged it to a certain price for the metal. The output cut could be carried out at its Kandalaksha smelter in northwestern Russia and its Novokuznetsk smelter in Siberia, Soloviev told RIA, adding that Rusal planned to keep its 2017 capital expenditure at $600 million. Aluminium prices on the London Metal Exchange (LME) are up about 8 percent this year at $1,622 per tonne.
20th ARABAL to focus on solutions for global challenges
Top executives from the GCC's primary aluminium smelters will participate at the 20th Arab International Aluminium Conference ("ARABAL 2016") in Dubai, UAE, from 22 to 24 November 2016 as part of an industry keynote panel discussion - covering topics such as the various factors relating to the regional downstream aluminium industry. Emirates Global Aluminium ("EGA") - the largest primary aluminium producer in the Gulf - is host of the two-day ARABAL 2016 conference, which has adopted the theme "Global Challenges - Seeking Solutions", this year marking the sixth time that EGA will have hosted the event. Commenting on his own participation in the industry keynote panel discussion at ARABAL 2016, Abdulla Kalban (MD & CEO: EGA) said, "It is always a pleasure to share the stage with industry...
Schueco SmartActive aluminium window systems help ward off microbial infections
Schueco Australia has taken innovation to a whole new level with the availability of a new surface finish that can be specified for their aluminium window systems to kill harmful bacteria, including multi-resistant bacteria such as MRSA and MRSAE. A product first in the Australian market, the new Schueco SmartActive is a surface finish for aluminium window systems incorporating micro-silver particles with anti-microbial properties. Germs that come into contact with this surface finish are killed immediately, actively preventing further proliferation and bacterial contamination. Given that the battle against all types of bacterial infection is being rightly seen as a public health priority, Schueco SmartActive will be warmly welcomed not just in hospitals and nursing homes, but also...
Aluminium inventory declines in China mask weakening demand, SMM reports
Aluminium stocks in China’s major markets remain in the downward track, but this could not be seen as evidence of stronger demand, SMM noted. In fact, stocks have dropped at a slower pace, as a result of growing shipments from northwest China and weakening consumption, SMM explained. SMM learned smelters in northwest China stepped up shipments of ingots, which traded higher than SHFE front-month aluminium contract and aluminium liquid. Besides, falling demand for aluminium liquid from nearby aluminium billet producers also pushed smelters in northwest China to increase ingot shipments. Aluminium ingot stocks in China’s five major markets totaled 406,000 tonne as of June 17, down 22,000 tonnes from June 8, SMM statistics showed.
WBMS: Primary aluminium market records deficit
The World Bureau of Metal Statistics (WBMS) has published the Metals Balances Report for the first four months of the current year. The global primary aluminium recorded marginal deficit during Jan-Apr ’16. The latest report published by the World Bureau of Metal Statistics (WBMS) indicates that global primary aluminium market has recorded a marginal deficit during the initial four months of the year. As per the report, the market reported a deficit of 298,000 tons when matched with the deficit of 308,000 reported for the entire year 2015. The production of primary aluminium has dropped by 61,000 tonnes during the four-month period from January to April this year. The total reported stock of metal dropped by 183,000 tonnes during the month of April. The stocks at the end of the initial...
45% Chinese aluminium smelters see aluminium prices advance this week
SMM surveyed 44 Chinese aluminium smelters about their opinions over aluminium price outlook. About 45 per cent of them expect SHFE 1608 aluminium to rise above RMB 12,100/mt and LME aluminium break through USD 1,620/mt. First, aluminium stocks in China’s five major markets fell 25,000 mt to 381,000 mt as of Monday. Second, limited supply of aluminium ingots with invoice dated June will allow suppliers to hold offers firm. Another 37 per cent expect SHFE 1608 aluminium to stabilize at RMB 11,900-12,100/mt and LME aluminium hold stable at USD 1,590-1,620/mt. First, latest poll results show the number of British people in favor of staying in the EU is almost equal to those who are against. Commodity will face selloffs and the US dollar will gain favor if the UK leaves the EU. The US dollar...
Bauxite prices seeking direction
CBIX eased marginally over the week, down 0.7 per cent (US$0.3) to US$45.1/dmt, with ViU-adjusted prices showing some convergence. Malaysian cargos are beginning to re-enter the market, with prices unchanged at US$25-26/dmt FOB for unwashed material (US$29.4/dmt on a ViU-adjusted basis) and US$37/dmt FOB for washed material. Cargos from Australia averaged US$44.6/dmt over the week on a ViU-adjusted basis. Chinese alumina prices are also treading water, with the North China domestic alumina price unchanged at RMB1,952/t (US$297/t including VAT) and the south down 0.5 per cent (RMB10/t) to RMB1,855/t (US$282/t including VAT). With restarts of around 5 MTPY already this year, China’s domestic alumina supply demand balance seems to have been re-established, at least in the short term. From...
Herchenbach to supply semi-permanent aluminium structures for Siemens' projects in Europe
Siemens has signed a partnership deal with temporary structures specialist Herchenbach to provide semi-permanent warehouses and workshops constructed out of aluminium to projects in Europe. In a bid to reduce transport costs for heavy components in need of repair, Siemens is taking the workshop to the projects. Herchenbach provides temporary and semi-permanent aluminium structures. It has come up with a 10 x 15 metre structure, 6.4 metres tall at its highest point. The structure comprises a corrosion-free aluminium frame and a mixture of polyvinvyl chloride (PVC) industrial-grade tarpaulin in the roof and walls made of trapezoidal sheet metal and tarpaulin. Components can be lowered into the workshop through the roof, Herchenbach explained. A section of roof tarpaulin can be lifted off...
New Access Fixtures introduces 16w LED bollard light with cast aluminium louvers
Access Fixtures, an industry leader in LED commercial, industrial, and sports lighting, announced the introduction of a new 16 watt LED stainless steel bollard light with cast aluminium louvers. Bollard lights with louver-controlled light sources are favored for their ability to limit light distribution to that which aims down toward the ground. With the LED light source blocked from direct view, the cast aluminium louvers minimize glare and limit light trespass. Manufactured with 316 stainless steel, this new bollard light is part of Access Fixtures' comprehensive lineup of LED, HID, and fluorescent light sources in stainless steel and powder-coated aluminium bollard lights from Access Fixtures. Access Fixtures offers commercial and sports lighting for less and features light fixtures...
Aluminium alloys in shipbuilding – a fast growing trend
Trends in shipbuilding have become similar to those in the automobile industry in recent years and the growing demand for automobiles, heavy duty vehicles, aircrafts, trains and ships is also set to significantly spur demand for aluminium flat rolled and extruded products. In fact, the use of aviation, marine and rail transportation will likely increase to such an extent that their combined energy demand is expected to equal about 85 per cent of the amount used by light-duty vehicles by 2040, up from about 50 per cent in 2014, according to Exxon Mobile. The necessity for lowering the weight of different ships, in order to increase the payload and reduce fuel consumption, has turned shipbuilders towards aluminium alloys due to their potential to reduce the weight of ship structures by up...
T&T Govt agrees to restart Alutech aluminium downstream project
Three months after Sural officials visited T&T to lobby Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley to restart its Alutech aluminium downstream project, a board chaired by Prof Ken Julien has been set up to review options for the project which was originally linked to the Alutrint Smelter in La Brea. The Energy sub-committee of Cabinet approved the appointment of government’s energy adviser Julien to head the board. Government officials are confirming that while Alutech is on the cards, the originally planned smelter is “definitely off the table and will not be restarted.” But even as Government is set to launch into the project with Alutech, T&T and Sural (Barbados) Ltd are in a legal battle at the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida before Judge K Michael Moore. Sural...
Govt of India may further raise trade barrier on import of aluminium
Import of aluminium will likely get tougher in India soon. According to the industry sources, Government of India is mulling over the proposition to further raise trade barriers on import of a number of industrial metals including aluminium. As per reports, investigations are going on to impose safeguard duty on aluminium and anti-dumping duty on steel. Several industry bodies have been demanding the government to start investigations in this line for quite some time now. Despite promises against resorting to protectionist measures, almost all countries are reacting to slow growth by trying to protect their domestic industries by raising trade barriers. During the height of financial crisis, the G20 nations had pledged to refrain from erecting any new trade barriers. However, due to...
ZC Technical’s flat lock aluminium panels specified for ocean-side Cleveland Residence
ZC Technical supplied their flat lock aluminium panels with recess for the exterior of the Cleveland Residence located right on the ocean foreshore. Completed in 2016, the residence was designed by Sprout Architects and built by Healy Homes. ZC Technical became involved in discussions with Sprout Architects, Healy Homes and the client at a very early design stage during which the company’s entire range of panel systems, materials and colours was considered for the home’s exterior. Given that the residence was situated right on the ocean foreshore, with high tide reaching its lower steps, any material specified for the exterior needed to be able to resist the saline environment. A flat lock aluminium panel system with recess from ZC Technical was chosen for its neutral simplicity and the...
JLR Chief Engineer to speak on aluminium BiW at the 4th Automotive Lightweight Supply-Chain Symposium
The 4th Automotive Lightweight Supply-Chain Symposium to be focused on automotive lightweighting, supply / process chain and procurement management, will be kicked off on the 11th of July 2016 in the days leading up to the DIECATING CHINA EXHIBITIONS in Shanghai, China. Keynote speaker Mr. Stefan HEIL, Executive Director Vehicle Manufacturing Engineering at SAIC/GM, will focus on how the all new Cadillac CT6 is manufactured and how challenges were mastered designing the car. BMW procurement executive Mr. ZANGERLE is another key speaker this year. His speech will focus on strategic localization of casting suppliers. Focus of Mr. Yao`s presentation, Engineering Manager at Shiloh Industries Asia, is multi-material & multi-process solutions. Mr Gunther HEIM, Deputy Vice President R&D at...
Aluminium extrusion plant undergoing $18M expansion
The AACOA plant, a subsidiary of Bonnel Aluminum in Bertrand Township is receiving an $18 million expansion. Bonnell Aluminum is making the investment that includes a new state-of-the-art aluminium extrusion line and more floor space at the site at 2005 Mayflower Road. The company plans to start the new line during the second quarter of 2017. "With continued growing demand from our customers, it is exciting to invest in this additional capacity, knowing that we will satisfy these opportunities with the high-quality products and services that AACOA is known for in the industry," Brook Hamilton, president and general manager for Bonnell Aluminum, said in a statement. "Our facility in Niles is ideally suited for this project, with a well-run operation and a great team in place." AACOA's...
