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...
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Conductive polymer hybrid aluminium electrolytic capacitors for automotive use
Panasonic has developed ‘Conductive Polymer Hybrid Aluminium Electrolytic Capacitors’, said to feature large capacitance and large current in compact size, suited for automotive ECUs, power supply circuits of HEV, EV and gasoline-powered vehicles. The capacitors measure 10 x 10.2mm and are said to enable automotive ECU downsizing with instantaneous large current supply into the power supply circuits, contributing to direct mounting on automotive engine ECUs and electromechanical integration. In accordance with the improvement of fuel consumption of eco-cars and environment regulations, increasing the number of ECUs, direct mounting on engines instead of engine rooms, electromechanical integration is required. For capacitors, compact size, large capacity and large current are required for...
Rio Tinto stock rises after the company indicates a potential bauxite boom driven by Chinese demand
Rio Tinto (RIO) stock is rising 0.07% to $27.55 in afternoon trading on Thursday after the London-based mining company said demand for bauxite, a raw material used to make aluminum and alumina, is expected to gain over the next 15 years because of growing production in China. Bauxite demand is expected to be so strong that it will outpace the 4% annual increase in aluminum demand in the medium- and long-term. Chinese aluminum production capacity is set to increase by 3 million tons this year, down from 3.9 million tons last year, Bloomberg reports. Aluminum and other commodities are expected to still be challenged in the short term, but aluminum prices should improve towards the end of the decade.
Aluminum can maintains position as most sustainable beverage container
A new report released today by the Aluminum Association and the Can Manufacturers Institute finds that aluminum beverage cans remain the best choice for environmentally-minded consumers. According to the new report -- “The Aluminum Can Advantage: Key Sustainability Performance Indicators 2016” -- consumers recycle aluminum beverage cans at rates 13 – 24 points higher than glass or plastic (PET) bottles. The high value of recycled aluminum material effectively subsidizes municipal recycling programs nationwide. “Everyday, millions of Americans enjoy beverages out of lightweight, portable and highly recyclable aluminum cans,” said Heidi Brock, President & CEO of the Aluminum Association. “When it comes to sustainability, only one beverage container delivers unrivaled benefit—the aluminum...
Amazon Fire 10 is now available with new aluminium build
The Amazon Fire 10 was released in September of 2015, and brought major changes to the UI and a larger screen to the Fire family. While it was praised for the more colorful and inviting UI, the plastic construction and low pixel density turned off many users. But there was no denying that it was of good value for the relatively low price of $229.99. Now Amazon is fixing one of the original gripes: the construction. Starting today, the Amazon Fire 10 can now be purchased with a silver aluminium chassis, and Amazon claims that it is now twice as durable as the iPad Air 2 in everyday tumbles. The best part is that the aluminium model is the same price as its plastic counterpart. Amazon has also released a 64GB storage option that is only available with the aluminium model. In terms of specs,...
JConcepts launches aluminium and carbon fiber setup board
Of the most popular duos in history, Aluminium and Carbon Fiber have to be 2 of the most famous of all time in racing circles. JConcepts introduces the Peanut Butter and Jelly of R/C accessories with the release of the Aluminium and Carbon Fiber setting board. First, a flat panel of woven 2.5mm Carbon Fiber has been machined to size with corner radius and countersunk. Four separate Aluminium trim pieces are custom machined, anodized in either blue or black and etched with JConcepts.net logo for authenticity. Four trim pieces are attached together using heavy-duty 3mm hardware from the top and corners forming the frame for the setting board. The flat panel Carbon material is dropped into place and secured with hefty flat head fasteners. The final product shows like an exotic race car while...
Ardagh produces world's lightest aluminium seafood can
Pioneering development work at Ardagh Group’s specialist aluminium can plant in Cuxhaven, north Germany has resulted in the production of the world’s lightest aluminium seafood can. The shaped seafood can, referred to in the industry as a “dingley”, has been designed with a conical wall thickness of only 0.170 mm, a significant advance over its nearest competitor at 0.215mm. This impressive innovation was achieved by technicians at the Cuxhaven plant supported by Ardagh’s R&D Centre in Crosmieres, France. Together they applied their in-depth knowledge of beading – the ridges, which come in many shapes and sizes, built into the can to give its body strength and stability. The development involved detailed testing, which established the most suitable shape and size of the beads as well as...
Market-Research-Reports adds a new report on Aluminium Foil Tape Market 2016-2021
Market-Research-Reports.com adds “Global (US, China, Japan) Aluminium Foil Tape Industry 2016 Analysis and Forecast to 2021 Market Research Report” reports to its database. The report contains 8 Company Profile and List of figures providing key statistics on the state of the industry and more details. The Global Aluminium Foil Tape Industry 2016 Market Research Report is a professional and in-depth study on the current state of the Aluminium Foil Tape Industry. Firstly, the report provides a basic overview of the industry including definitions, classifications, applications and industry chain structure. The Aluminium Foil Tape Market analysis is provided for the international market including development history, competitive landscape analysis, and major regions' development status....
Indian aluminium firms renew call for tariffs after action on imported steel
India’s aluminium manufacturers continue to lobby their government for protection against low-price imports this week. Representatives from domestic aluminium firms are asking government officials to establish a minimum import price to help stave off what the firms consider dumping from several countries, not the least of which is the People’s Republic of China. “The government is re-examining the provisions of imposing either a safeguard or an anti-dumping duty on various grades of aluminium,” Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman told local media on Monday. Safeguard duties are allowed under World Trade Organization (WTO) rules. The Finance Ministry has already turned down safeguard duties on imported aluminium. Leaders of Vedanta and Hindalco have both met with Sitharaman over the past...
Henan boasts China’s second largest aluminium processing province
Henan Province has become China’s top two aluminium processing region thanks to booming aluminium processing industry there, local media reported. Henan Province has become China’s top two aluminium processing region thanks to booming aluminium processing industry there, local media reported. Aluminium plate, strip and foil capacity and output in Luoyang City, in particular, has taken up half of China’s total, according to a recent meeting by over 30 local aluminium processor. According to the meeting, Henan’s aluminium semis output grew 8.1% year-on-year to 9.83 million tonnes last year, 18.5% of national total, making it China’s second largest aluminium semis production province.
Iran aluminium expansions to exacerbate already oversupplied Middle East market
Iran is seeking to expand aluminium production, and this move will only get already oversupplied Middle East even worse, SunSirs reported. Iran officials said the country will produce aluminium on a large scale to meet demand in domestic market and the Middle East. The country has already invested $2.7 billion in aluminium industry so far. It was predicted that global aluminium demand will grow 5% in 2016 while production will rise just 2%, which will leave a supply deficit of 1.1 million tonnes. Aluminium consumption in the Middle East and North Africa will increase 5% in the first quarter this year, and Saudi Arabia, in particular, will see 12% growth. One SOE in the United Arab Emirates increased aluminium output by 4% to 2.4 million tonnes last year. Another company, Aluminium...
SHFE aluminium trades up
SHFE 1607 aluminium fell to RMB 12,060/mt after opening at RMB 12,125/mt overnight. But prices then rallied to RMB 12,290/mt before ending at RMB 12,230/mt. On Thursday, SHFE 1608 aluminium shifted to the most active contract and opened at RMB 12,065/mt and advanced to RMB 12,165/mt, to end at RMB 12,145/mt, up RMB 160/mt. Trading volumes increased 70,952 to 178,172 with positions up 874 to 191,924.
Iran steps up talks with potential foreign investors in metals sector including aluminium
Iran is stepping up talks with potential foreign investors with an eye to developing its mining and metals industries, Mehdi Karbasian, president of state-owned Imidro, the Iranian Mines and Mining Industries Development and Renovation Organization, said. Imidro recently held talks with Rio Tinto in Berlin on the possibility of new investments in Iran’s aluminum, steel, copper and gold industries, Karbasian said in a telephone interview from Berlin, after opening an Iran-Europe business center. Two weeks ago top executives of Glencore, Trafigura and Aurubis participated in a meeting in Hamburg to discuss cooperation in the Iranian copper industry, Karbasian said. Glencore and China’s NFC already have business agreements to help develop Iran’s copper industry, Karbasian said earlier this...
Global high purity alumina market will reach US$ 3.6 bn by the end of 2021
Persistence Market Research (PMR), delivers key insights on the high purity alumina (HPA) market in its latest report titled “Global Market Study on High Purity Alumina (HPA): High Demand for LED's and Displays to Drive Growth During 2015-2021.” According to the report, the global HPA market was valued at US$ 1.2 Bn in 2014 and is projected to expand at a CAGR of 6.9% during the forecast period to reach US$ 3.6 Bn by the end of 2021. High purity alumina or HPA is a high-end product of the non-metallurgical alumina market. It is a high-value product that serves as a base material for the manufacture of sapphire substrates used in a number of applications. Manufacture of synthetic single crystal sapphires (used as a base substrate for manufacturing LEDs) is a major application of HPA....
Australian alumina priced out of China by weak yuan, Chinese supply
A well-supplied Chinese domestic alumina market and the depreciating yuan have made Australian alumina increasingly unaffordable for Chinese aluminum smelters, market sources have said in recent weeks. The yuan is at a five-year low, closing Wednesday at Yuan 6.5889 against the dollar. The Chinese currency has lost 2% of its value in the last month and alumina market participants have said they are anticipating further downside for the yuan. Although the price of Australian alumina has dropped $0.50/mt in the last week to $252.50/mt FOB on Wednesday, according to S&P Global Platts assessment, the premium for Australian alumina over material from China's Shanxi province has swelled disproportionately to $16/mt and Yuan 104/mt, compared with $11/mt and Yuan 70/mt a week ago, in import...
Jamaican economy grows in March quarter, bauxite production drops
The Jamaican economy grew by an estimated 0.9 per cent for the quarter to March 2016 when compared with the corresponding period last year and was the same level of expansion for fiscal year 2015/16, the Planning Institute of Jamaica reported on Wednesday. The positive outturn for the quarter largely reflected the impact of the improved global economic environment on major service industries such as hotels and restaurants, said PIOJ Director General Colin Bullock. The mining and quarrying industry contracted by 1.0 per cent, reflecting weak external demand from the major overseas customers. Total bauxite production contracted by 5.3 per cent, while crude bauxite production contracted by 12.1 per cent largely the result of financial challenges facing major United States refineries which...
Australian brand VUUE launches new aluminium furniture range
New Australian brand VUUE has produced a collection of furniture designed to be used flexibly for both indoor and outdoor spaces. The design studio of Ceci and Aydin Keyvanloo aims to "defy categorisation" with its range of seating and tables made from aluminium. "Much of the furniture that is on the market still feels like it is intended for a specific category and feels foreign in the others," Ceci told Dezeen. "Mornington holds up outdoors but its form does not say 'poolside'." Described as suitable for residential, hospitality and office environments, the Mornington collection boasts nine key items customisable in a variety of materials. Sixty of the 96 possible combinations can be used indoors and out. "Making something that works for indoor as well as outdoor isn't easy," Ceci...
Inclusion of LED Lights in 2016-2017 Budget may encourage local aluminium market in Pakistan
The Pakistani government might include financial incentives for LED lights and solar panels in its annual federal budget 2016-2017, as the government aims to slash energy consumption while turning to alternative energy sources, according to a report by local media Business Recorder. Globally, the LED lighting market is projected to grow 45% per year throughout to 2020, and LED lights produced is expected to reach $63.1 billion from the existing $13.6 billion, the report added. Markets will move towards 100% replacing incandescent and traditional lights with LED bulbs, due to declining prices and increased interest from market channels to promote LEDs to consumers. There are four local LED manufacturers that are making 5.5W to 500W LED streetlights, LED tube lights, LED downlights, LED...
Bengaluru firm to make more heat pipes for satellites
Avasarala Technologies Ltd, the city-based tier-1 supplier of critical components to strategic sectors, has secured more orders to supply heat pipes for Indian satellites, a top official said on Thursday. "We have got additional orders from ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) to supply heat pipes for satellites it launches for various applications," Avasarala chief executive T.T. Mani told reporters here at an event. As an import-substitute component, the pipes are used in satellites to collect heat generated by electronic devices and release it in space to keep them cool. "Made of light-weight aluminium, heat pipes keep spacecraft cool and stabilise inside temperature, as thermal uniformity is critical for orbiting satellites under adverse solar heating," said Mani. The company...
