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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Gayatri Projects eyes underground coal mining services
Gayatri Projects is seeking to offer mining services for underground coal mines of Coal India Ltd and other companies. The Hyderabad-based diversified infrastructure company, which is into construction, infrastructure and power segments, has entered into a partnership with China Coal Overseas Development Company, a Beijing-based subsidiary of China Coal, to offer Longwall technology for mining. With the government setting a target of 1 billion tonnes per annum coal extraction by Coal India, which includes significant contribution from underground mines, there is an opportunity out there for services providers, a company official said. The proposed capacity addition includes about 100 mtpa of underground mining. The company has managed to bag two projects, thus far, and is gearing up to...
Strong project pipeline to lead growth in global bauxite ore production
Global bauxite ore production is set to experience solid growth driven by a robust project pipeline and reach 321.3 million tonnes (Mt) in 2020, according to a recent industry report. The report states that the production will witness a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.1 per cent from 2016 to 2020. The report explains that bauxite mining will flourish in the forecast period backed by key upcoming projects, as well as continued investments in smelting and processing. The leading bauxite producers accounted for an estimated 75.8 per cent of the global total ore production in 2015 and include Australia, China, Brazil, Guinea and Jamaica. Significant projects expected to boost production include Australia's Bauxite Hills project and the Guinea Dian-Dian project with a 3Mt capacity,...
Vancouver to host its first ever aluminium-canned craft beer sampling event
The Burnaby-based West Coast Canning, who packages liqour in aluminium cans for some of the most talked-about craft breweries of Vancouver, has teamed up with Wet Ape Productions to organize CANcity, Vancouver’s first all-canned craft beer and cider sampling event. Wet Ape Productions is the same company behind the Oktoberfest-lite Harvest Haus and Kelowna’s Center of Gravity. Canned beer though not so popular in Vancouver is supposed gain acceptance as the mercury rises across the province, expects West Coast Canning. The benefits of packaging beverage in aluminium cans cannot be denied, especially in the summer. The metal provides excellent barrier protection against sunrays and environmental pollutants while remaining chemically neutral to the liquid inside. “For a long time, people...
NRC Canada spearheading research efforts to develop innovative aluminium products
A newly formed alliance called ALTec Industrial research R&D Group is consolidating research efforts in the Canadian aluminium sector to develop innovative aluminium products for ground transportation vehicles. As a cost-effective and sustainable material, aluminium is increasingly being used to manufacture components for lightweight vehicles which reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and meet increasingly stringent fuel consumption requirements. "By 2020, the world aluminium market in the transportation sector alone is forecasted to represent more than 65 billion US dollars," says Michel Dumoulin, General Manager of Automotive and Surface Transportation at the National Research Council of Canada. "Canadian businesses include aluminium in the design of their vehicles, but we saw a gap in...
Upstate Shredding – Weitsman Recycling receives Platts Global Metal Award
Scrap metal processing company Upstate Shredding – Weitsman Recycling, based in Owego, New York, has been recognized by Platts, a leading independent provider of information and benchmark prices for the commodities and energy markets. The company received the Industry Leadership Award in the Scrap & Recycling category. Adam Weitsman, owner of Upstate Shredding, says he believes the award is a great honor and a testament to his company's commitment to exceptional operations and dynamic growth strategies. Weitsman was on hand to accept the award at the ceremony Thursday, May 19, in London. “This recognition is one of the top moments of my career,” he said. “To have been selected as the winner when international judges are reviewing companies, public and private, from all over the world is...
Australian company buys 50% stake in “game-changing” aluminium-graphene battery storage technology
Australian energy technology company LWP Technologies has bought a 50 per cent share in a new, graphene-based battery storage technology that the ASX-listed company believes could “change energy markets and the way the world commutes.” The $1.6 million deal, described by LWP on Wednesday as a ”major value-adding step” for the company, will see it enter into a joint venture to commercialise the patent pending aluminium-graphene synthesis and battery technology with its Australian-based inventor. The battery – which comprises an Aluminium-Graphene-Oxygen chemistry – is said to be safer and more stable than lithium-ion batteries, and is shown to have vastly superior energy density. But perhaps even more significant is the patent that describes the chemical synthesis process to manufacture...
Over 80 aluminium companies gather in Shandong for potential investment
More than 80 aluminium related companies from across China gathered in Beihai Economic Development Zone, Binzhou City, Sanding Province, on June 14 for potential investment there, industry sources reported. The local government is making all efforts to attract investment in local aluminium processing industry, aiming to establish an ambitious aluminium and aluminium alloy industry cluster and car part center that is worth hundreds of billions of yuan. The local government will provide plentiful land and preferential policies for companies that build Beihai aluminium industrial park. Several large aluminium companies have already settled in the economic zone. For example, Beihai new materials industrial park, invested by Shandong Weiqiao Pioneering Group, has a planned total investment of...
SHFE 1608 aluminium ends with small loss
During night trading on Tuesday, June 14, SHFE 1608 aluminum dipped to RMB 11,765/mt after opening at RMB 11,850/mt, and ended at RMB 11,780/mt. On Wednesday, June 15, SHFE 1608 aluminum rose to RMB 11,880/mt after opening at RMB 11,780/mt. The most active contract ended the day down RMB 40/mt at RMB 11,870/mt. Trading volumes were down 137,000 lots to 118,516 lots, and positions were up 1,360 to 208,330. Strong caution before referendum on UK exit from the EU and US policy meeting will leave SHFE aluminum hovering without direction. Today i.e. June 16, is delivery date for SHFE 1605 aluminum, whose settlement price was RMB 12,230/mt. Delivery amount for the contract was 33,950 mt. In another report SMM observed, since the US dollar softened after the US Fed announced not to lift interest...
Six major Chinese smelters agree to cut production; SMM says report untrue
According to sources with knowledge of the events, six of the People’s Republic of China’s major smelters agreed to cut production in the event that aluminium prices drop below US$1,717 per metric ton. China’s Nonferrous Metals Industry Association (CNIA) held the meeting yesterday with several of the major players in the domestic aluminium industry to debate measures the industry could take to help stabilize prices of the commodity. According to CNIA’s reporting arm Antaike, Aluminum Corp of China (Chalco), State Power Investment Corp, Hongqiao Group, Jiugang Group, Yunnan Aluminium, and Jinjiang Group were all reported to have sent representatives to the meeting. Although no formal announcements came as a result of the agreement, the referenced sources indicated that all six smelters...
China primary aluminium production down in April
Chinese primary aluminium production down by 2 per cent month-on-month to 2.569 million metric ton during April this year, as compared to 2.620 million metric ton in March, as per the latest figures released by the International Aluminium Institute. According to IAI, global primary aluminium production down by 2.6 per cent month-on-month to 4.721 million metric ton during April this year, as compared to 4.847 million metric ton in March. In rest of Asia, the production was 264 million tons. East and Central Europe accounted for 327 million tons, West Europe for 311 million tons, North America for 329 million tons, South America for 112 million tons, Africa for 136 million tons, Oceania for 162 million tons and Gulf Cooperation Council countries for 421 million tons. Primary aluminium is...
Aluminium cladding creates distinctive feature on Western Rivers residence exterior
Interlocking aluminium cassette panels from ZC Technical were installed on a house as cladding for the structure’s box-shaped elements, creating a very distinctive feature. Built in 2013 based on the owner’s design, the 200-square-metre Western Rivers residence incorporated unique box-shaped elements, which needed to be clad for a finished look. However, it was important to choose a material that didn’t need ongoing maintenance because the areas were difficult to access. Though the owner loved the striking colour of copper, there were concerns that the naturally occurring waviness would take away from its sharpness. ZC Technical offered the option of copper textured painted aluminium, which was found suitable for the project. The interlocking panels provided an impeccably smooth finish...
Bahra Cables recognized by SEC as the excellent vendor for 2015
Saudi Electricity Company (SEC) selected Bahra Advanced Cable Manufacture Co. Ltd as the excellent vendor for 2015. Bahra specializes in the production and distribution of electrical cables, and aims to become the main developer for low, medium, and high voltage cables in Saudi Arabia. The company, as well, plans to expand its range of products with aluminium rods to meet the needs of electricity companies of aluminium conductors and cables, as well as manufacturing of Dry Type Transformers with different capacities in cooperation with the largest international company in this field - Legrand. Bahra accepted the award at the 5th awards ceremony for top vendors of the Saudi Electricity Company suppliers, held recently in Riyadh. On behalf of Bahra Cables, Kareem Talal Idriss, Business...
Global aluminium extrusion market to grow at a CAGR of 6.71% during 2016-2020
According to the data released in a recently published market research report, the Global Aluminium Extrusion Market will grow at a CAGR of 6.71 per cent during the period 2016-2020. Growing construction market has been identified as the sole growth driver for the sector. Aluminium extrusion is a method in which aluminium alloy billets are heated to 800-925 F and subject to the extrusion process. Extruded aluminium includes mill finished, anodized, and powder-coated aluminium. Aluminium extrusions are used in many sectors, such as the construction, transportation, electrical, machinery, and consumer durables, due to their high strength, flexibility, and durability. Aluminium extrusion products are 100% recyclable and do not emit hazardous gases during processing. This helps manufacturers...
Nalco, MIDHANI plan to set up lithium-aluminium alloy plant
India's state-owned aluminium maker National Aluminium Company (Nalco) and the Defence Ministry's Mishra Dhatu Nigam Ltd (MIDHANI) are in talks to set up an aluminium-lithium alloy plant. Lithium is the hottest metal today, with its demand underlined by the Space X and Tesla ventures of maverick entrepreneur Elon Musk. Lithium-aluminium alloys meet the extremely strong but very light properties required for spacecraft and high-performance Tesla batteries. The tanks of freezing liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen attached to NASA's space shuttles are made of such alloys. "Lithium-aluminium alloy is an extremely expensive alloy (sells for around INR 40 lakh a tonne)," Nalco Chairman Tapan Kumar Chand told ET. "More importantly, it is critical to our strategic sectors. Given the 'Make in...
Japanese manufacturer acquires extruded aluminium components supplier
Manufacturer Whitehall Industries of Ludington has been acquired by a Japanese aluminium supplier. According to a statement, SRS Industries LLC, which does business as Whitehall Industries, was acquired in May by UACJ Corp., a Tokyo-based aluminium manufacturer. Whitehall Industries is a vertically integrated supplier of extruded and fabricated aluminium components and assemblies for the automotive industry. The company makes a range of products, including structural components, sunroof guides, convertible top components, and running boards, among others. Its customers include U.S., Japanese and European OEMs, as well as Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers in the U.S. and Mexico. The existing management team remained with the company as part of the deal. Birmingham, Mich.-based Quarton...
The U.S. aluminium industry purchased 763 million pounds of aluminium scrap in March 2016
The U.S. aluminium industry purchased an estimated 763 million pounds of aluminium scrap during March 2016, according to aluminium recycling statistics published by the U.S. Geological Survey, Department of Interior, up 4.7 per cent over the March 2015 total of 728 million. USGS estimates that recovery of aluminium and aluminium alloys totalled 664 million pounds, an increase of 4.3 per cent year-over-year. Through the first three months of 2016, preliminary data indicate that recovery of aluminium from scrap totalled an estimated 1,966 million pounds, up 2.0 per cent from the 2015 YTD total of 1,927 million. U.S. exports of scrap, not included in the government’s consumption statistics, totalled 671 million pounds YTD, down 6.5 per cent from the same period in 2015. Aluminium imports of...
Noranda Aluminum seeks to sell Missouri smelter
Bankrupt aluminium producer Noranda is seeking bankruptcy court approval to sell off its so-called upstream business, including its now shuttered smelter in New Madrid, Missouri. Tennessee-based Noranda Aluminum Holding Corp. said Monday it had filed a request in bankruptcy court for approval for bidding procedures to sell "all, or substantially all" the assets of its primary aluminium business. In addition to the smelter in southeast Missouri, that business includes a bauxite mine in St. Ann, Jamaica, and a refinery in Gramercy, Louisiana. The company said it expects its motion to be heard July 14 by the bankruptcy court. Under its proposed bidding procedures, the deadline for submitting qualified bids is Sept. 15, with an auction set for Sept. 22, if there are multiple bids submitted. A...
Mercedes-Benz confirms a new family of engines
Mercedes-Benz finally confirmed it is going to revive the inline six-cylinder aluminium engine. First revealed to Drive at the 2015 Geneva motor show, the German brand used a showcase of its alternative powertrain technology in Stuttgart this week to officially confirm the new straight six will headline a new family of engines. The new aluminium engines will be built in both four- and six-cylinder configurations and in both petrol and diesel forms. The four-cylinder is expected to be 2.0-litres in capacity and the six-cylinder will be 3.0-litres. Bernhard Heil, vice president of powertrains for Mercedes-Benz, revealed work began on the new aluminium engine family five years ago with several key targets in mind. "Having in mind that emissions should be one key element, having in mind that...
