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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LME aluminium to see range-bound trading
LME aluminium will struggle around the 5-day and 10-day moving averages and trade in a tight range of USD 1,540-1,560/mt on Monday. SHFE 1607 aluminium will find support at the 5-day and 20-day moving averages and move at RMB 12,350-12,550/mt. In China’s spot aluminium market, spot premiums of RMB 0-40/mt are expected over SHFE 1606 aluminium contract. Key macroeconomic indicators for base metal prices Major economic indicators due for release this week include May manufacturing PMIs in the Europe and the US, revised Q1 growth in Germany, UK and the US and profit at China’s large industrials in April. The G7 meeting held last week will also remain the focus of markets. Investors hope developed countries will maintain easy monetary policy. Manufacturing PMIs in Europe and US have been...
India aluminium edges up on scattered demand
Aluminium prices were up by INR 2 per kg at the non-ferrous metal market on Saturday on mild demand from consuming industries amid firm global cues. However, other base metals held steady in thin trade. Traders said some demand from consuming industries and a report of firm trend overseas mainly led to the rise in aluminium prices. In the national capital, aluminium ingots, sheet cutting, wire scrap and utensils scrap were up by INR 2 each to INR 155, INR 151, INR 151 and INR 149 per kg, respectively. Following were the metal rates (in INR per kg) on May 21, the previous week: Aluminium ingots INR 155, aluminium sheet cutting INR 151, aluminium wire scrap INR 151 and aluminium utensils scrap INR 149.
China's first overseas alumina production starts in Indonesia
A Chinese-invested alumina refinery was officially put into production on Saturday in Indonesia. The refinery invested by China Hongqiao Group Limited and Winning Investment (HK) Company Limited, is the first giant alumina project that Chinese companies have invested in overseas. The two Chinese companies jointly signed the cooperation agreements with Indonesia-based PT Cita Mineral Investindo Tbk on the aluminum oxide project and supporting facilities on October 3, 2013, when Chinese President Xi Jinping paid a state visit to Indonesia. The production line is part of the 2 million-tonne-a-year smelting plant with a total investment of 1 to 1.5 billion U.S. dollars which is operated by PT Well Harvest Winning Alumina Refinery, a joint venture which Hongqiao holds a 56 percent stake. The...
CBIX eases, Malaysia exports from existing bauxite stockpiles
Bauxite prices eased 1.6 per cent (US$0.7/dmt), closing Friday at US$44.2/dmt for the week. Several lower ViU-priced cargos from Malaysia contributed to the marginal decline over the week. Although Malaysian bauxite exports have resumed, mining activities have not - current exports (via Kemaman port mainly) comprise stockpiled bauxite originating from outside Kuantan port (circa 2 mln t). Malaysian FOB prices were reportedly unchanged at US$25/dmt to US$27/dmt (unadjusted) for unwashed material and US$37/dmt for washed material. Cargos from SMB’s Guinean operation continue to make an impression on the CBIX index, although reported import and export grade data for Guinean cargos do not always align. Some vessels appear to have been loaded with bauxite from different mine origins. Reporting...
Aurukun needs bauxite mine to normalise the economy, says MP Billy Gordon
Independent Queensland MP Billy Gordon and indigenous leaders said Friday, last week, the Palaszczuk (39th Premier of Queensland, Australia) government needed to do more to ensure economic development of the troubled Cape York community of Aurukun. He stressed upon the need for opening the bauxite mine there so that people had work and means for living. Mr. Gordon was briefing press about the civic reform initiatives that have been taken and being implemented in recent times to restore normalcy in this somewhat politically unstable region of Queensland. He said local leaders were right to demand greater government attention for economic development in the region. The indigenous MP said he was bewildered that the proposed Aurukun bauxite mine was “not anywhere near opening”, four years...
Revolution Design unveils aluminium chassis for the Carisma 4XS 4WD Buggy racing car
The Revolution Design has unveiled 4XS Aluminium Chassis, one of the most important option parts for the Carisma 4XS 4WD buggy, a high-end racing car model. The Carisma Racing 4XS is a brand new 1/10th Competition 4WD buggy, and first time, offering from renowned Ready-to-run factory Carisma RC. Designed and engineered by legendary German designer, Michael Vollmer, who has in the past been responsible for cutting edge designs for brands such as Serpent RC, Team Durango, Robitronics, amongst others. The new aluminium chassis improves flex characteristics and makes the car a lot stiffer compared the standard carbon fiber chassis, which helps especially on high-grip surfaces like astroturf or carpet. The high-quality 7075-T6 aluminium chassis also lowers the overall center of gravity, which...
Euro 2016 soccer may raise beverage cans demand, says Novelis CEO
Soccer's Euro 2016 could help raise demand for aluminium for beverage cans, as fans enjoy beer or soft drinks while watching their national teams, the head of Novelis, the world's largest rolled aluminium producer, said. Past major sporting events such as the 2014 soccer World Cup in Brazil did "increase consumption of beer or other soft drinks in cans," Novelis Chief Executive Steve Fisher told Reuters. U.S.-based Novelis supplies aluminium for drinks makers including Coca-Cola, PepsiCo and the world's largest beer brewer AB InBev, according to its website. "We certainly hope to see that same trend for the European football championships this coming summer." Fisher said, adding that Novelis is ready to meet increased demand driven by the June 10-July 10 championship in France "if it...
2016 Aluminum Extrusion Design Competition Awards highlights creativity and innovation
The winners of the 2016 Aluminum Extrusion Design Competition were announced at the Eleventh International Aluminum Extrusion Technology Seminar & Exposition – ET ’16. The winning entries highlight how aluminum extrusions can provide versatile and cost-effective solutions to design challenges. Professional designers, manufacturers and students were awarded a total of $12,000 in the 2016 Aluminum Extrusion Design Competition. The awards, sponsored by Bonnell Aluminum, included prizes and scholarships in two classes: a Professional Class and Student Class. Professional Winners Highlight the Versatility of Extrusions William Davis of Wrightspeed Powertrains in San Jose, California and Rob Nelson of Almag Aluminum, Inc. in Brampton, Ontario, Canada won the $3,500 Grand Prize/Transportation...
ASAS Alüminyum completes its foil production plant, set up with Achenbach technology
As a strong brand in the market for aluminium extruded products over a long time, ASAS Alüminyum Sanayi ve Ticaret A.S. in Sakarya, Turkey, can look back on four successful years of building an ultramodern production plant of aluminium flat rolled products. By recent-ly placing an order with Achenbach for two more extra-wide aluminium foil rolling mills, one additional aluminium foil separator and another foil slitting machine, ASAS Alüminyum intro-duces the next step of expansion. In the near future, ASAS Alüminyum will produce high efficiently high-class aluminium foil for a wide range of foil products. They are used as basis for sophisticated packaging foil such as blister packs for pharmaceutical products or intelligent compound packagings for food prod-ucts for national and...
Q1 Customs data shows China’s fake semis trade continues to grow
Customs data for the export of aluminium semis from the People’s Republic of China for the first quarter of this year are in. The numbers show an interesting trend – although the total year-on-year exports dropped, the flow into the Socialist Republic of Vietnam increased significantly. According to numbers obtained by Aluminium Insider, exports of aluminium semis exported from China in the first quarter of 2016 were 361,548 metric tons, which is down 18.5 per cent year-over-year from the first quarter of 2015, when China exported 443,774 metric tons. On a country-by-country basis, exports were down to Thailand by 14.1 per cent from 42,018 metric tons to 36,073, down to the Republic of China (Taiwan) by 14.9 per cent from 8,495 metric tons to 7,226 metric tons, down to Singapore by 15.3...
SinterCast AGM 2016 focuses on energy consumption issues in aluminium manufacturing
The SinterCast AB (publ) Annual General Meeting (AGM) was held on 19 May 2016 in Stockholm. During the AGM, presentations were provided by Dr Mark Jolly, Professor of Sustainable Manufacturing at Cranfield University, and by Dr Steve Dawson, President & CEO. Professor Jolly made presentations on prior studies showing the energy intensity and CO2 emissions of aluminium production relative to cast iron, and emphasised the importance of life cycle energy analysis, particularly in the automotive industry. In particular, Professor Jolly noted that the production of each kilogram of primary aluminium generates approximately 10 kg of CO2; approximately four times that of iron. Professor Jolly presented the outline of a new project that is being conducted at Cranfield University to quantify the...
Alba wins British Safety Council’s (Gold) International Safety Award for 2015
Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba), the Bahrain-based international aluminium smelter, announced that it has been awarded the much coveted British Safety Council’s (Gold) International Safety Award for 2015 for its commitment and diligent efforts towards maintaining safety, health and well-being of its workforce during 2015. Alba’s Chief Executive Officer, Tim Murray received the Award at a ceremony on May 6, 2016 at Grosvenor House Hotel, London. Commenting on Alba's success, Chief Executive Officer Tim Murray said: “Alba believes that Employee Safety and Health are the two most important factors that affect our productivity and overall performance. Over the recent years, Alba has maintained an excellent track record of Safety and Health and winning an international recognition is a...
SHFE 1607 aluminium ends with loss
On Wednesday’s night trading, SHFE 1607 Aluminium dipped to RMB 12,220/mt after opening at RMB 12,305/mt. But prices then rallied to RMB 12,400/mt before ending at RMB 12,380/mt. On Thursday, SHFE 1607 Aluminium rose to RMB 12,395/mt after opening at RMB 12,355/mt. But short selling sent the most active contract down to RMB 12,280/mt in the afternoon. Finally, the contract ended down RMB 35/mt at RMB 12,325/mt. Trading volumes were down 9,502 lots to 181,804 lots, and positions were down 7,078 to 266,412. Positions of SHFE 1608 Aluminium were up 12,466. SHFE 1607 Aluminium will move around the 10-day and 20-day moving averages in the near term.
China operational aluminium capacity to grow further in May, SMM Expects
Operational aluminium capacity in China will keep growing in May due to restarted and new capacity, SMM expects. SMM sees about 269,000-tpy increase in operational aluminium capacity, which will bring the country’s aluminium output to 2.6 million tonnes in May, up about 100,000 tonnes from April. Aluminium capacity in operation grew 1.05 million-tpy in late April from the end of last year, SMM statistics showed.
LME aluminium to consolidate in $1,529-$1,559 range
LME aluminium may consolidate in a range of $1,529-$1,559 per tonne for one or a few days before rising again. The bounce from the May 13 low of $1,531 seems to be incomplete. However, the metal may have not accumulated enough bullish momentum to bounce beyond the resistance at $1,559, the 50 percent Fibonacci retracement rise from the Nov. 23, 2015 low of $1,432.50 to the April 29 high of $1,686. The chance of a break below $1,529 could be low, as the support at $1,529 has been proved to be strong, successfully holding the drop for a few days. A Fibonacci retracement analysis on the fall from $1,686 to $1,531 reveals a resistance at $1,568, the 23.6 percent level, a break above which could lead to a gain to $1,590, the 38.2 percent level.
Altech’s Meckering mining lease granted
Altech Chemicals Limited announced that its kaolin mining lease (ML) application M70/1334 at Meckering, Western Australia has been granted by the Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP). The ML is estimated to contain ~11 million tonnes of kaolin mineral resources, representing over 250 years of feedstock supply for the company’s proposed 4,000tpa high purity alumina (HPA) plant at Johor, Malaysia. The grant of M70/1334 will allow the company to progress to the next stage of mine development, which is the submission of a mining proposal and a mine closure plan. At Meckering Altech is planning to mine approximately 120,000 tonnes of kaolin once every three years in a short two-month mining campaign. The resultant raw kaolin ore will be stockpiled, then containerised into standard shipping...
Orbite closes a $5 mln financing with Resources Quebec
Orbite Technologies Inc. announced the closing of an equity financing in the amount of $5 million with Ressources Quebec inc., a subsidiary of Investissement Quebec, acting as agent of the Government of Quebec. As part of the financing, Ressources Quebec purchased 20,746,888 Class A shares of Orbite at a price of $0.241 per share. "With this equity investment and the $1 million raised from US investors on May 6, the Company has raised a total of $6 million in equity and is on track to finalize the funding required for completion of our HPA facility," stated Glenn Kelly, CEO of Orbite. "We anticpate closing the $5 million convertible debenture in the coming weeks, after which we will award the contracts for the remainder of the construction and implement our plan towards start-up and...
Hongqiao Group’s Indonesia alumina project yields output
China Hongqiao Group’s large-scale alumina project in Indonesia succeeded in yielding output recently, reported industry sources. The company will sell alumina from the project, whose annual capacity is 1 million tonnes, to China or Middle East within the next 1-2 months. Expected output for the project is 40,000-50,000 tonnes in May. Hongqiao Group is building another 1 million-tpy alumina project in Indonesia.
