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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Chinese aluminum is back on the rise
An interesting article in Reuters this week examines the Chinese aluminum market trends. It points out that the statistics coming out of China are even more unreliable than normal showing rises and falls of millions of metric tons from month to month. Specifically, Chinese output supposedly slumped by an annualized 6.6 million mt in the December-February period only to surge back by 5.2 mmt in March and April, almost certainly not the case when you consider the time it takes to idle and restart smelters. Shanghai Futures Up Taken over a longer time frame, though, run rates actually appear to have fallen slightly from Q4 to Q1 which would make sense when you look at the low Shanghai Futures Exchange (ShFE) price during that period. It fell below 10,000 yuan per metric ton ($1,525). But the...
Alcoa Portland smelter under threat of closure as power subsidy axed by Victorian Government
The end of a decades-long power subsidy is threatening the future of Portland's smelter, putting at risk the Victorian coastal community's economy. The fixed 20-year subsidy between the Victorian Government and global aluminium producer Alcoa seems unlikely to continue after November, with Treasurer Tim Pallas ruling out "open-ended engagements" with the company. Enacted in the late 1980s by then-Labor premier John Cain, the subsidy was designed to provide electricity to both the Portland and now-defunct Point Henry smelters at a price linked to the world price of aluminium. Mr Pallas said the subsidy had come at a significant cost to successive Victorian budgets. "If you look back at the time the arrangements were struck, it would have been seen that the level of liability the state was...
Australia's Alumina promises fight against Alcoa split
Australia's Alumina is preparing for a court battle with Alcoa (AA) after the U.S. group filed papers alleging its joint venture partner was threatening its planned split by claiming the demerger required its consent. The conflict centers on the groups' Alcoa World Alumina and Chemicals, or AWAC, joint venture which operates bauxite mines and alumina refineries in Australia, South America and Africa. The operation is 60% owned by Alcoa and 40% by Alumina. "Alcoa...is seeking to exit AWAC and introduce a new and financially weaker entity into the AWAC partnership," Alumina said on Monday. "Alcoa is thereby seeking to transfer and assign to that entity its rights, interests and obligations, which requires Alumina's consent." In addition to claiming that Alcoa needs its approval to go ahead...
Union still negotiating with Noranda Jamaica Bauxite
The University and Allied Workers Union (UAWU) says it is still negotiating with Noranda Jamaica Bauxite as it continues to appeal to the company to reconsider its recent layoff of more than 30 workers. The UAWU represents some of the workers who were laid off. President of the UAWU Lambert Brown says his union met with Noranda last week and is awaiting a follow-up meeting this week to discuss important issues affecting the workers who were laid off. Brown says his union wants Noranda to pay for healthcare for sick workers who were laid off. He says the UAWU wants Noranda to take back all the workers it represents who were laid off. Brown says the union still has plans to take the matter to the labour ministry if Noranda doesn't meet its demands. Earlier this year Noranda filed for...
Power tariff set to shoot up as Coal India raises prices
With Coal India (CIL) planning to raise its revenue margin by an additional INR 3,234 crore by increasing the average coal prices by 6.29 per cent, power tariffs in plants across the country are set to rise. To push sales of higher-grade coal and to price them at par with international trends, CIL reduced prices between INR 50 and INR 1,420 for the G1-G5 grades and - to make up for the loss on account of this - it increased prices in the lower G6-G17 grades between INR 70 and INR 300. Although prices have been reduced for the higher grades, the power sector in the country mostly uses the lower G8-G13 band where prices have soared by 13.60-18.03 per cent. “If input costs go up as a result of the price increase in coal, a price rise in power might happen,” said an NTPC official, adding that...
Aluminium louvres provide excellent insulation and added privacy
Aluminium louvres are similar to shutters or blinds but with horizontal slats that may be adjusted to let in light and air but keep out direct sun or rain. Aluminium louvres provide excellent insulation and added privacy because the slats can be closed to keep out the rain or cold as well as the outdoor noise. Besides providing insulation and privacy to your home, aluminium louvres also allow for maximum ventilation, keeping the house cool and in turn reducing your air-conditioning costs. When the louvre blades or slats are fully open in the horizontal position, they let in maximum air and light in the room. This not only allows the fresh air to circulate in the room but also keeps your house a few degrees cooler during the summer months. During the cold winter months, the slats can be...
North American Aluminum scrap prices held steady
The North American Aluminum scrap prices remained unchanged on ScrapMonster Price Index as on May 30th, Monday. 1100 Scrap prices remained flat over the day. The prices of 3003 Scrap too were flat at $0.59 per Lb. The prices of 356 Aluminum Wheels and 6063 Extrusions/Fe too were unchanged. The prices of 6063 Extrusions held steady over the day. Meantime, prices of 5052 Scrap and 6061 Extrusions remained flat at $0.55 per Lb and $0.54 per Lb respectively. The prices of Al/Cu Radiators and Al/Cu Radiators/Fe remained flat. Aluminum Radiators and Aluminum Radiators/Fe prices held steady. Aluminum Transformers and Breakage 50% Recovery prices remained unchanged on 30th May. Chrome Wheels and E.C Aluminum Wire prices remained flat over the day. Litho Sheets and MLC Clips remained flat at $0.58...
Hindalco rallies 11% as aluminium volumes drive Q4 profit
Shares of Hindalco rallied 11 percent intraday Monday, riding high on its March quarter results. Boosted by strong aluminium business, the company's net profit zoomed 124 percent to Rs 356.3 crore in January-March quarter from Rs 159 crore in year-ago period. During the quarter, its total turnover slipped 8 percent at Rs 8667.9 crore compared to Rs 9371.6 crore year-on-year. Revenue in Q4 was lower due to a sharp decline in aluminium and copper realisations. However, a strong increase in aluminium volumes following increased production and value addition across businesses helped it to partially offset the impact of sharp fall in realisations. "The weaker rupee also enabled partially offset the impact of the drop in realisations. The lower cost of raw materials, especially energy inputs...
HELUKABEL to showcase medium-voltage and fiber-optic cable solutions at WINDPOWER 2016
HELUKABEL, a leading cable manufacturer, will be highlighting its medium-voltage aluminum and fiber-optic cable capabilities at WINDPOWER 2016 being held in New Orleans, LA on May 23 to 26. This show brings together wind industry innovators, thought leaders, and policy makers from all over the world to chart wind energy’s course into the future. The American Wind Energy Association, which organizes the show, maintains that by 2030 wind energy has the ability to generate 20% of U.S.’s energy supply, and that it will be a major solution for states implementing the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Clean Power Plan. In order for the power to be used it must be transferred to the grid by means of medium-voltage cables — such as HELUKABEL’s MV-90/MV-105 ALUMINUM. The company’s shielded...
First trial run of Spanish high-speed coaches successful
The first phase of trials for the Spanish-made high-speed Talgo coaches was successfully conducted on the Bareilly-Moradabad route here on Sunday morning. Nine of the lightweight coaches were hauled by a 4,500 HP diesel engine from Bareilly to Moradabad at a speed of 115 kilometres per hour (kmph). According to officials, the train which left Bareilly Junction at 9.05am reached Moradabad by 10.15am and later returned to its point of origin. "The trial was successfully conducted and no problems of a technical nature or otherwise were reported during it," said Rajendra Singh, public relations officer, NE Railway, Izzatnagar division. The team of Research Designs and Standard Organisation (RDSO) and the Spanish team of Talgo travelled in the train to make observations during the trial....
Aluminium adorns Arch Motorcycles and Keanu Reeves KRGT-1 cruiser
Actor Keanu Reeves, famous for his roles in action movies Speed, Point Break and The Matrix trilogy, teamed up with self-taught engineer, designer and fabricator Gard Hollinger to produce the Arch KRGT-1. Powered by an S&S Cycle 2,032 cc V-twin, built specifically for Arch Motorcycles, the mill has two-cylinders set at a 45-degree angle, and fuelled by EFI. A six-speed custom-built Arch gearbox puts the claimed 126 hp and 165 Nm of torque to the ground via chain-drive and an eight-inch wide rear wheel. Billet aluminium is used extensively throughout the KRGT-1, including the fuel tank, which is machined out of 242 kg to produce two separate 9 kg fuel cells that are then joined together, providing a space in middle for the Arch down-draft air intake. This attention to detail is carried...
Gränges awarded for best interim report
Gränges has been awarded for Best Interim Report 2015 in the competition Listed Company of the Year on Nasdaq Stockholm, organized by Kanton and Aktiespararna. Gränges was listed in October 2014, and it is the first year the company participates in the competition. Kanton and Aktiespararna motivate the award: "The company's interim report is efficiently structured and comprehensive. It is characterized by high ambitions regarding financial and operational data. Good pedagogics means that it is worth reading for all categories of investors. A well written and interesting section on business concept, business model and strategies are a great introduction to the company." Kanton and Aktiespararna ranks the financial information of all listed companies on Nasdaq Stockholm every year and the...
Guangxi Investment Group to invest RM580 million in an aluminium component manufacturing facility.
The Malaysia-China Kuantan Industrial Park (MCKIP) today secured an investment worth RM1.58 billion from both China and Malaysia. With the new ventures, the total investments drawn to MCKIP, which is located within the East Coast Economic Region Special Economic Zone (ECER SEZ), stood at RM15.08 billion. ECER SEZ encompasses Kuantan Port, Kuantan, Gambang and Pekan in Pahang. The new investors include Guangxi Investment Group Co Ltd, which will invest RM580 million in an aluminium component manufacturing facility. ECER SEZ encompasses Kuantan Port, Kuantan, Gambang and Pekan in Pahang. The new investors include Guangxi Investment Group Co Ltd, which will invest RM580 million in an aluminium component manufacturing facility. The signing ceremony was held during the second Investment...
NALCO trades in green despite reporting drop in Q4 net profit
National Aluminium Company is currently trading at Rs 42.15, up by 0.30 points or 0.72% from its previous closing of Rs 41.85 on the BSE. The scrip opened at Rs. 41.85 and has touched a high and low of Rs. 42.75 and Rs. 41.75 respectively. So far 105486 shares were traded on the counter. The BSE group 'A' stock of face value Rs. 5 has touched a 52 week high of Rs. 49.60 on 02-Jun-2015 and a 52 week low of Rs. 28.00 on 25-Aug-2015. Last one week high and low of the scrip stood at Rs. 43.65 and Rs. 41.15 respectively. The current market cap of the company is Rs. 10850.17 crore. The promoters holding in the company stood at 80.93%, while Institutions and Non-Institutions held 12.15% and 6.92% respectively. National Aluminium Company has posted a fall of 41.40% in its net profit at Rs 207.94...
After steel, aluminium may get safeguard duty
After the government helped the steel industry by imposing a minimum import price to keep imports at bay, aluminium manufacturers are lobbying with the commerce ministry for similar benefits. “The government is re-examining the provisions of imposing either a safeguard or an antidumping duty on various grades of aluminium,” commerce minister Nirmala Sitharaman told HT on Monday. Safeguard duty is a WTO-compatible temporary fiscal measure to protect a country’s domestic industry from cheap imports. The companies approached the commerce ministry after the finance ministry decided against a safeguard duty on aluminium, threated by cheaper imports from countries such as UAE, Malaysia, Russia, South Africa, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain and Thailand. In the last fortnight, the heads of aluminium majors...
SHFE 1607 aluminum ends with gains
On last Friday’s night trading, SHFE 1607 aluminum dropped to RMB 12,170/mt after opening at RMB 12,200/mt. But prices then rallied to RMB 12,295/mt before ending at RMB 12,230/mt. On Monday, SHFE 1607 aluminum briefly dipped to RMB 12,175/mt after starting at RMB 12,230/mt. The contract then moved higher to RMB 12,345/mt, and finally ended up RMB 150/mt at RMB 12,295/mt. Trading volumes were down 90,716 lots to 180,440 lots, and positions were down 396 to 210,776.
45% Chinese aluminum smelters see aluminum prices rise this week, SMM Survey
SMM surveyed 44 Chinese aluminum smelters about their opinions over aluminum price outlook. About 45% of them expect SHFE 1607 aluminum to break through RMB 12,350/mt and LME aluminum rise above USD 1,560/mt. First, new aluminum capacity is commissioned at a slow pace. Smelters with plans to resume production will put facility under maintenance in June. So, output contribution from new and restarted capacity will be limited in June. Second, aluminum stocks in China’s five major markets fell to near 457,000 mt last Thursday. Should stocks continue falling at 40,000 mt pace each week on average, as did in May, stocks will fall to around 300,000 mt at the end of June. Third, suppliers in spot market are holding offers firm due to tight supply, allowing spot premiums to expand to RMB 150/mt...
Alumina fears weak partner
Alumina says it is concerned about a “new and financially weaker” Alcoa as its operating partner in the billion-dollar AWAC venture as tense talks between the warring factions spilled into the public arena. The Melbourne-based company, which owns 40 per cent of Alcoa World and Alumina Chemicals (AWAC) that dominates WA’s alumina landscape, revealed yesterday why it was opposed to partner Alcoa’s historic demerger. The demerger, to happen in the second half of this year, will separate Alcoa’s bauxite, alumina and aluminium assets, dominated by AWAC, from the higher-margin specialty metals unit. Alumina says the demerger will have a “material adverse change in the nature, size, scope and financial wherewithal” of its AWAC partner and warrants “amendments to the AWAC joint venture agreements...
