AL Circle Analysis: US scrap imports hit 580kt as China slips 3.2%, who drives aluminium recycling?
Aluminium scrap is no longer a side story in the metal’s market. Rather, aluminium’s next standoff is over scrap. As US imports surge 37 per cent while China’s purchases decline, manufacturers in Europe and India are confronting a common challenge of securing affordable, reliable raw materials. With recycling rates, trade barriers and low-carbon production reshaping market, the global industry faces a critical question: who will control the metal that powers its circular future? Join the fourth edition of the webinar "Hedging for recyclers - Become an expert in 6 hours" by Jorge Dyszel. A 1.1-billion-tonne stockpile: US stocks up, China steps back, India asks for access The US imported 580,000 tonnes of aluminium scrap worth USD 2.07 billion in H1 2026 , with Canada accounting for 63.62...
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...
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Aluminium demand to remain strong; Alumina Ltd
Alcoa's Australian partner Alumina Ltd says demand for aluminium is expected to remain strong and the company is well positioned as it looks to secure higher prices. Chief executive Peter Wasow said strong growth in demand for aluminium was expected to continue, and Alumina's Alcoa World Alumina and Chemicals (AWAC) joint venture with metals giant Alcoa remains well positioned. Mr Wasow told the company's annual general meeting that AWAC's strategy of reducing costs had seen the company improve its cost advantage and it would try to increase higher priced index based sales from 75 per cent to 85 per cent of total sales.
Altech secures settlement for mining lease at Meckering
Altech Chemicals Limited announces that it has executed a settlement and option to purchase agreement for the freehold land that completely encompasses its mining lease application M70/1334 at Meckering, Western Australia. As reported previously, the landowners had objected to the application for grant of the mining lease and the objection was before the Warden’s Court (WA). Concurrently, the Company continued to negotiate a settlement with the landowners and a final settlement has now been reached. The parties have agreed to settle for an undisclosed amount and on the terms and conditions contained below: • Landowners will dismiss the objection to the grant of M70/1334 • Altech will proceed with the grant of the mining lease • Landowners have granted Altech an option to purchase 94...
Perini Navi launch 70m aluminium sailing yacht Sybaris
The largest sailing yacht ever constructed in Italy has been launched at Perini Navi’s facility in La Spezia. With a length of 70 metres and an 850 Gross Tonne volume, Sybaris has joined an exclusive group as one of the largest sailing aluminium-made yachts in the world. The all aluminium vessel has been designed by the in-house team at Perini Navi, with naval architecture consultation and sail plan optimisation from Philippe Briand. Specifically chosen by her owners, her interior design was undertaken by the U.S. studio PH Design, who have utilised high quality materials such as titanium into both the structural and aesthetic design. In addition to her generous living and entertainment areas both inside and out, Sybaris also comes with two 7 metre carbon fibre tenders, as well as a 4.5...
Aluminium advanced glazing specialist Wrightstyle appointed fabricator for UK project
Wrightstyle, the leading steel and aluminium advanced glazing specialist, has been appointed by Secco Sistemi as a fabricator and supplier of their systems in the UK. The Italian company is a worldwide leader in the production of designer aluminium glazing systems for doors, windows and facades, providing architects with a beautiful and exciting range of design options. Secco Sistemi’s range comprises slimline, cold rolled, thermally broken steel systems, in an array of finishes, including brass. Secco Sistemi systems are specified worldwide for the refurbishment of historic buildings and, reflecting Italian design excellence, for new-build retail and urban architecture. Wrightstyle has been working in close collaboration with Secco Sistemi for several months, with Wrightstyle staff being...
USGS Mineral Industry Survey publishes Aluminum report for February 2016
According to the USGS Mineral Industry Survey report, only two companies reported domestic production of primary aluminum in February 2016 because of the recent smelter shutdowns. Consequently, production data were withheld to avoid the release of proprietary data. Total aluminum recovered from scrap in February 2016 was 296,000 metric tons, slightly more than that recovered in January and 4% more than that in February 2015. On March 24, Alcoa Inc. shut down the last operating potline at the 269,000-metric-ton-per-year (t/yr) Warrick smelter in Evansville, IN. Alcoa had announced plans to close this smelter citing high power prices and low prices for aluminum. The rolling mill and adjacent power plant would continue to produce (Maltais, 2016). In April, Matalco Inc. started production of...
Australia's specialised aluminium trailer builder readies to launch race car transporters
Graham Lusty Trailers (GLT) is now building customised race car transporters. The specialised aluminium trailer builder of Australia GLT has fabricated their first 6 car transporter for Steve McFadden. Aluminium and stainless steel is extensively used throughout the trailer. Where aluminium cannot be used the company's design team fall back on stainless steel. But aluminium is clearly their metal of choice for building trailers. “Our walls are made with a special aluminium plank which has a double skin and internal bracing. This means that our transporters do not require any internal framing”, explains Operations Manager James Yerbury. “Our chassis are also made from Marine grade aluminium and depending on your choice of suspension even the suspension hangers are aluminium”. The outer...
Aluminium futures weaken as participants trim position
Aluminium prices fell by 0.32 per cent to INR 109.10 per kg in futures trade yesterday, May 4, after traders reduced their exposure amid muted domestic demand and weak trend in base metals at the London Metal Exchange. At Multi Commodity Exchange, aluminium for delivery in June eased 35 paise or 0.32 per cent to INR 109.10 per kg in a business turnover of just one lot. Also, the metal for delivery in current month traded lower by 25 paise or 0.23 per cent to INR 108.50 per kg in 104 lots. Marketmen said the apart from muted demand from consuming industries at the domestic spot markets, weakness in base metals at the London Metal Exchange (LME) after a private Chinese factory gauge showed contraction for a 14th month and the US manufacturing growth cooled, mainly weighed on aluminium...
Outlook remains bright for Malaysia's largest integrated aluminium producer
The near to medium term outlook of the South-east Asian aluminium producer Press Metal Bhd (Press Metal) remains bright, driven by the increased capacity from its Samalaju Phase 3 project, observed a recent industry report. The integrated aluminium major's Phase 3 smelter in Samalaju is at the tail-end of ramping up and is expected to be fully commissioned in the next few weeks. In addition, Phase 2 of its Samalaju smelter has returned to normal operations in late November 2015 after six months of fire damage repair while the Mukah smelter (Phase 1) continues its regular production. “We expect its aluminium smelting capacity to rise to 760,000 tonnes per annum (tpa) or 1.5 per cent of global primary aluminium production, and sales tonnage to surge 65.7 and 11.8 per cent year-on-year...
What deters many Chinese aluminium smelters from restarting capacity? - SMM explains
Profit at Chinese aluminium smelters has been expanding steadily thanks to sustainable aluminium price rise. However, many smelters have not shown strong interest in bringing idled capacity back online. Why? The main reason is negotiations with power plants over preferential power tariffs are still dragging on, SMM learned. Besides, continuous alumina price gains also leave those smelters whose costs are above 12,000 yuan per tonne hesitant about reopening. Shandong Xinfa Group and Shandong Weiqiao Group will release new aluminium capacity in May, totaling 600,000-tpy. But this is not enough to fill in supply gap, SMM understands.
China alumina imports up 64.88% YoY in March
Customs data showed China imported 359,800 mt of alumina in March, up 64.88 per cent YoY, but down 3.37 per cent MoM. High profit encouraged Chinese alumina producers to step up production in March 2015, reducing demand for imported alumina. Alumina imports in March 2015 were partly affected by the 2015 Chinese New Year holiday, which took place in mid-February. Lower base in March 2015 explained the year-on-year increase in March 2016. Alumina stocks at domestic ports were stable in March this year. Rising alumina FOB prices left imported alumina at no obvious price advantage. As such, trading at domestic ports was inactive, causing imports to drop on a month-on-month basis. Share of Australian alumina in total imports fell to 42.56 per cent in March from February’s 51.33 per cent, while...
Ford recycles 20 million pounds of aluminium a month
<p>Ford recycles as much as 20 million pounds of aluminium stamping scrap per month using the closed-loop system at Dearborn Truck Plant which builds F-150.<br /><br /> That is the equivalent of more than 30,000 F-150 bodies in the largest configuration – a SuperCrew body including doors, plus hood, tailgate and 6.5-foot cargo box.<br /><br /> Opting for aluminium over steel in new automobile construction is the best way to reduce energy consumption and carbon emissions, according to Oak Ridge National Lab.<br /><br /></p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img class="alignnone wp-image-756 size-medium" src="/flyer/images/Ford_Aluminum_recycling___Gallery05052016.jpg" alt="" width="480" height="420" /></p> <p>Recycled aluminium avoids 95 per cent of the greenhouse gas emissions...
Rio 2016 Olympic torch crafted from recycled aluminium
The Rio 2016 torch has been designed to represent the diversity and vibrancy of Brazil, and the Olympic spirit. It is made from recycled aluminium and resin with a satin finish, and can be opened out to reveal coloured segments during the relay. The torch stands 69 centimetres tall when fully opened. When lit, it expands into five segments with distinct colours. Each colour represents unique features of Brazil, including its landscape, flora, fauna, people and culture. The values of the Olympic spirit - excellence, friendship and respect - are represented by the torch's triangular shape. The torch's extending sections evoke the movements of athletes. The torch is embossed with the Rio 2016 logo and the Olympic rings, which recognize the five continents of the world. Organisers said...
Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport S gets an aluminium subframe on front axle
The Volkswagen Golf GTI Clubsport S has shed weight thanks to the use of aluminium in many of its core components. At 306bhp and with 280lb ft of torque, the most powerful GTI ever produced has set a new front-wheel drive Nürburgring lap record, with a time of 7:49:21. The all new Clubsport S is based on the 'standard' GTI Clubsport and has been produced as part of Volkswagen's 40th anniversary celebrations of the GTI. Modifications to the car over a standard GTI are extensive. The Clubsport S has an unladen weight of 1285kg, which is a significant drop over the standard two door GTI's 1348kg. The standard Clubsport itself is 30kg heavier than the S. This is in part due to the removal of the rear seats and central armrest, as well as the use of a smaller battery. Other changes include...
Aluminium foil proves bright spot in China aluminium semis exports
China’s aluminium foil exports hit multi-year high in March and many producers remain optimistic over overseas market. According to China Customs, foil exports surged 30 per cent from February and 26 per cent from a year ago to 94,000 tonnes in March. Aluminium extrusion exports swelled 44 per cent month-on-month and 106 per cent year-on-year to 104,000 tonnes in March. Aluminium plate/sheet and strip exports spiked 43 per cent month-on-month to 150,000 mt, but down 9 per cent year-on-year. These brought China’s aluminium semis exports to 360,000 tonnes in March, up from February’s 260,000 tonnes and up 20.6 per cent from a year ago.
EconCore develops composites panels with thermoplastic honeycomb core and aluminium skin
EconCore, a technology provider for continuous production of honeycomb sandwich materials has developed new generation of aluminium composites panels. Within the conventional process, a relatively thick layer of polymer is extruded in between two layers of aluminium sheet. EconCore technology allows to replace the heavy polymer layer with a thermoplastic honeycomb core which is directly laminated with metal skins. The combination of thermoplastic ThermHex honeycomb core and aluminum skins offers over 50 per cent weight savings while the cost saving benefits are not only due to the material savings but also to enhanced efficiency (lower conversion energy and higher speeds) of the in-line integrated process. TATA Steel recognized the benefits of combining metal skins with thermoplastics and...
Hydro starts new recycling line: 'Best place for used beverage cans'
The aluminium company Hydro commissioned a EUR 45 million facility today aiming to recycle up to 50,000 tonnes of used beverage cans per year at its Neuss plant in Germany. The facility is located in the heart of a growing can market, as Europeans now are using more than 30 billion cans a year. That equals 450,000 tonnes of used beverage cans (UBC) to recycle. Waste for some, “silver” gold for others, Hydro turns this urban-mined resource into material for new can tabs, ends and bodies, closing the recycling loop. “Hydro’s facility in Neuss is the first to adopt a patented, advanced sorting technology for used beverage cans, able to process collected aluminium material with up to 20 percent impurities – making the new recycling line the best place to be for any used beverage can,” said...
India defers provisional safeguard duty on unwrought aluminium imports
Under criticism over its protectionist measures for the domestic steel industry, India has deferred the 5 per cent provisional safeguard duty on imports of unwrought aluminium. Unwrought aluminium is extracted from primary metal or scrap and is imported by India from various countries such as the United Arab Emirates, Malaysia, Russia, South Africa, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain and Thailand. The duty was recommended on 21 April by the Directorate General of Safeguards which is an arm of the finance ministry. However, the Board of Safeguards in a 29 April meeting decided against it. On 21 April, the Directorate General of Safeguards in its preliminary investigation found that aluminium imports have caused financial losses to the domestic industry and had recommended a provisional safeguard duty of...
Aluminium slips as global factory growth stalls blunting demand hopes
Global manufacturing growth slowed down last month putting a downward pressure on commodity prices, a survey showed. In China, factory activity shrank for a 14th consecutive month in April, a survey showed, presenting a mixed picture of the health of the world's No. 2 economy. Aluminium gave up some of its gains from April. Shanghai aluminium fell 1.7 per cent, after last month's more than 7 per cent rise, while LME aluminium fell 1 per cent, following a sharp 10 per cent monthly rally. The recent spike in prices is prompting aluminium producers to restart their plants, Standard Chartered said in a note, adding that 1.7 million tonnes per year of capacity had already been restarted year to date. "Given current SHFE prices support nearly 90 per cent of China's smelters in profit, further...
