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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Lee S retires, Steve Anderson promoted as VP Sales & Marketing at Wagstaff
Lee Swartling, Vice President, Sales & Marketing at Wagstaff retired from Wagstaff April 1. He is being succeded by Steve Anderson, formerly Director of Engineering at Wagstaff, Inc. Lee joined Wagstaff in May of 1999 as an Area Manager responsible for sales in Japan, Western North America, Russia and the Ukraine. In 2011 Lee was named Vice President, Sales & Marketing the position he held until his retirement. Lee graduated from the Colorado School of Mines and worked for Kaiser Aluminum for 26 years in various supervisory and managerial roles during his domestic and international assignments. Steve Anderson holds degrees in Electrical Engineering and Business Management from Washington State University. Steve joined Wagstaff in March of 1995 as an Electrical Engineer for the R&D...
India govt initiates safeguard investigation against aluminium imports
The Directorate General of Safeguards (DGS) has initiated the investigation in alleged increased imports of unwrought aluminium for causing injury to the domestic aluminium industry. The period of investigation is 2011-12 onwards till 2015-16. This investigation came on the application filed by aluminium makers asking the government to “immediately impose a safeguard duty on the imports of unwrought aluminium for a period of four years.” The application was filed by Vedanta Limited, Bharat Aluminium Company (Balco) and Hindalco who have sought safeguard duty imposition on alloyed as well as non-alloyed wrought aluminium products. The domestic Aluminium industry has asked for increase to 10 per cent from current 7.5 per cent. It was 5 per cent earlier, when it was revised in this year’s...
Chalco raises aluminium prices significantly in major markets this week
China Aluminum International Trading Co. (Chalco Trading) hiked aluminium prices significantly in major markets this past week, it said through one of its online media handles. Chalco Trading is a full subsidiary under Chalco responsible for alumina and aluminium sales.
Lack of markets for bauxite a cause of worry for Mozambique govt
The Tax Authority of Mozambique has confirmed that it is holding negotiations with Vale Mozambique, the local subsidiary of major Brazilian mining group Vale, on the payment of capital gains tax. Vale Mozambique is one of a number of major companies with which the tax authority is currently having such talks. Vale Mozambique owns 95 per cent of the Moatize coal mine and 70 per cent of the Nacala Logistics Corridor. Tax Authority chairperson Amélia Nakhare told the O País newspaper that her agency did not regard these deals as completed yet, although the intention to sell was public knowledge, and therefore she could not specify the amount of tax to be levied. She did say, however, that “it would be significant”. Meanwhile, the provincial government has voiced its concern about the lack of...
2nd Global Bauxite Conference 2016 to be held in Bali, Indonesia, on 29-30 June
Global Bauxite Conference 2015 took place in Kuala Lumpur at the end of June last year. Thanks to the participation of leading companies like Alcoa, Gunvor, Hydro, Itochu, Mitsui, Rio Tinto, Sojitz, South32, UC RusAl, etc. and also the great support from organizations like AZ China, Guinea Development Bank, International Aluminium Institute, Kuantan Port, Malaysian Mining Club, Minerals & Geoscience Department Malaysia, Spring Energy Sdn Bhd, Waja Securities Sdn Bhd, etc. and their overwhelming response the event is back again this year amid greater expectations. The 2nd Global Bauxite Conference 2016 will be held on 29-30 June in Bali, Indonesia. Event Background Two years ago, Indonesia banned bauxite export and encourages investment in alumina plants. But local alumina plants...
Constellium publishes Annual Report 2015: Focus remains on higher margins and technological excellence
Constellium N.V. announced yesterday the Annual Report 2015. The Group's financial highlights are as follows: Total shipments in 2015 were 1,478k metric tons, a 39 per cent increase compared to 1,062k metric tons in 2014, driven mainly by the integration of Wise and reflecting good traction from automotive rolled products, automotive extruded products and aerospace rolled products. Revenues for 2015 were €5,153 million, which represents an increase of 41 per cent, or €1,487 million, from 2014 resulting primarily from the integration of the Muscle Shoals facility. Adjusted EBITDA for 2015 was €343 million, an increase of €68 million, or 25 per cent, from the 2014 Adjusted EBITDA, driven by the acquisition of Wise, record performance in the Automotive Structures and Industry (AS&I) segment,...
India's Feb IIP rises 2% MoM; Aluminium Conductor charts 23.5% growth
There is a sense of 'economic' cheer in the air, so to speak, after the February IIP stood at 2 per cent versus (-) 1.5 per cent in January. After spending three months in the negative territory, factory output finally rose on the back of a strong performance by mining and electricity sectors, while retail inflation moderated further in March. Also just recently, the Reserve Bank of India in its monetary policy review cut policy rate by 25 basis points and announced several steps increase liquidity. The General Index for the month of February 2016 stands at 184.6. The cumulative growth for the period April-February 2015-16 over the corresponding period of the previous year stands at 2.6 per cent. The Indices of Industrial Production for the Mining, Manufacturing and Electricity sectors...
Downstream aluminium hub planned for Richards Bay in SA
The Richards Bay Industrial Development Zone (RBIDZ) in South Africa wants to establish an aluminium metals hub comprising downstream product manufacturers in the KwaZulu-Natal city to tap into the growing use of aluminium instead of steel by the automotive sector. Aluminum has become the second most used material in the auto industry – next to steel – since it weighs less than half of steel or cast iron in the manufacturing process, Zululand Observer reported. According to the Aluminium Association, an American organisation, the use of the metal in commercial vehicles continues to accelerate because it offers the “fastest, safest, most environmentally friendly and cost-effective way to increase performance, boost fuel economy and reduce emissions while maintaining or improving safety and...
China State Council urges for capacity elimination in aluminium industry
China’s State Council is urging for elimination of outdated and excess capacity in energy-intensive and highly-polluting industries, including aluminium, Shanghai Securities News reported. The State Council recently issued the 2016 Action Plan for Implementation of Outline for Quality Development. Under the Action Plan, China shall enhance work to weed out outdated and excessive capacity in strict compliance with production licenses and industry entrance system.
Bounce in oil prices bolster base metals; Aluminium hits six-month peak in London
Aluminium hit a six-month peak on Wednesday as the appetite for risk increased among investors who took a more upbeat view on the Chinese economy and saw commodities as relatively cheap. Analysts attribute the buoyancy in metals markets to the bounce in oil prices. "I think there's some restocking coming through in China based on some stability in the economy and generally we're seeing some risk appetite coming back. There's a certain warming towards commodities in general," said Robin Bhar, head of metals research at Societe Generale in London. Three-month aluminium on the London Metal Exchange climbed 2.2 per cent to close at $US1622.50 a tonne, the strongest since October 2015. Aluminium is the top gainer on the LME over the past month, up some 6 per cent after producers cut output,...
Bechtel selected by Aluminium Bahrain for major project
Bechtel, a global leader in engineering, procurement and construction, has been selected by Aluminium Bahrain, B.S.C. (Alba) to build the sixth potline for their Alba aluminium smelter in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Upon completion, Alba will become the world's largest single-site aluminium smelter. Bechtel will be responsible for designing and constructing the aluminum smelter's sixth potline and other related infrastructure. Line 6, which is expected to begin production by early 2019, will increase Alba's annual output by 540,000 tonnes, bringing total capacity to 1,500,000 tonnes. Bechtel has worked with Alba for more than 25 years, including previous work as EPCM contractor for the smelter's Line 4 and 5 expansions. "We are pleased to be working with Alba again to add Line 6, which marks...
Continuing innovation yields technology improvements at EGA
The Technology Development & Transfer department at Emirates Global Aluminium (“EGA”), the largest primary aluminium producer in the GCC region and among the top five producers in the world, continues to focus its efforts on improving the operating performance of the proprietary reduction cell technologies at EGA’s midstream industry assets in the UAE so as to ensure ever more efficient, cost-effective operations. The practice is founded on a long history of successful technology development and industrial implementation that has positioned EGA as a respected competitor in this sector of the global aluminium industry. For example, EGA’s latest generation DX+ Ultra Technology – ranked among the most efficient reduction cell technologies currently available – has been selected by Aluminium...
UC RUSAL and transcontainer sign long-term agreement
UC RUSAL, a leading global aluminium producer, and PJSC TransContainer have announced the signing of a 3-year contract to ship RUSAL products in containers. TransContainer will be responsible for all of RUSAL’s shipments in containers within the territory of the Russian Federation from May 1, 2016 and, additionally, will be responsible for all sea containers to Asian markets (Vietnam, South Korea, Taiwan and Japan) and other regions from August 1, 2016. “Containerization is one of the key priorities of RUSAL’s sales policy. The main advantages of this delivery method are that our goods are guaranteed safely as cargo and it is logistically cost efficient whilst working with the end-customer,” Vladislav Soloviev, RUSAL CEO, commented. “With a view to developing a long-term partnership,...
New economic impact study shows continued strength of US aluminum industry
A new study released on April 20 shows the continued importance of the U.S. aluminum industry to the national economy. Research conducted by economic research firm John Dunham & Associates found that the domestic aluminum industry directly employs nearly 161,000 workers and contributes more than $75 billion to the national economy. When supplier and induced impacts are taken into consideration, the industry is responsible for nearly 713,000 jobs and $186 billion in economic impact – more than 1 percent of national GDP. According to the report, while certain segments of the domestic aluminum industry have struggled in recent years – with major job losses particularly in the upstream segment of the business – these losses have been offset by gains in downstream sectors like flat-roll...
China alumina output grows in March on price recovery
China’s alumina output grew in March as rising prices gave many producers incentive to resume production. Production totaled 4.6 million tonnes in March, up 8.19 per cent from February, but down 2.32 per cent from a year ago, according to SMM statistics. Weighted average alumina price in China’s four major markets was 1,902 yuan per tonne in March, and rose further to 1,929 yuan per tonne in the first half of April.
Rio Tinto finally executes job-cuts at Weipa bauxite mine operations
Mining giant Rio Tinto is finally laying off more than 40 staff at its Weipa bauxite operations. The staff are spread across the East Weipa and Andoom ventures. Two weeks ago, Rio Tinto flagged job cuts at Weipa. It wrote to all personnel, warning them of job losses as part of a review to cut costs because of falling aluminium prices and competition. It is understood that no voluntary redundancies were called for, instead the company restructured operations to identify the roles it could do without. The staff who have lost their jobs include long-term as well as newer employees. A Rio Tinto spokesman said: “We are working to reduce costs across Rio Tinto in a challenging environment and to ensure our Weipa bauxite operations remain globally competitive. Our focus is on providing all...
Bauxite Resources announces completion of Yankuang transaction with sale of Fortuna
Bauxite Resources Limited announced that it has now received from Mercator Metals Pty Ltd a duly executed Deed of Variation & Assumption which was required to complete the assignment of the bauxite rights held for the Fortuna deposit to Yankuang Resources under the Sale & Purchase Agreement dated 30 November 2015. As a consequence, the royalty payable by Yankuang to BRL will be on the first 100 million tonnes of bauxite at a rate of 0.9 per cent of the FOB price (or FOB price equivalent) (presently estimated to be worth approx. 50 cents per tonne) from the sale of bauxite mined from the Royalty Area comprised by the Felicitas and Fortuna tenements.
Fastest, most powerful and aluminium-bodied Jaguar debuts in Australia
The car that got everyone in a lather at the Goodwood 2014 Festival Of Speed in 2014, the aluminium-bodied Jaguar F-TYPE Project 7, has made its Australian debut. Just 10 of the 250 cars produced by Jaguar Land Rover’s Special Vehicle Operations (SVO) skunkworks were earmarked for Australia and all have already been sold to customers who have stumped up $339,610 for the most exclusive limited-edition road-going Jaguar ever available here. Jaguar’s 5.0-litre supercharged V8 engine, as seen in the F-TYPE R Coupe, is installed in the F-TYPE Project 7 but SVO has fettled it to produce 423kW (19kW more than the F-TYPE R Coupe) and 700Nm of torque. The eight-speed Quickshift automatic transmission and second-generation Electronic Active Differential delivers the power to the rear wheels, with...
