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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EAFA launches ALUNCH to make a point about value of aluminium closures and recycling
The European Aluminium Foil Association (EAFA) has launched a unique programme, whereby young professionals in Brussels are being invited to join ALUNCH at the prestigious Grapevine restaurant, near the European Parliament each Thursday through April and May. To ‘pay’ for their meals the lunchers need to bring along some aluminium bottle closures, which will enable them to feast on a variety of delicious food – all served in aluminium foil or containers. The initiative, which will run from 14th April until 26th May, aims to show the value of aluminium closures as well as other aluminium foil products and raise awareness of their benefits and convenience. All the closures will be collected in a transparent tube so that there will be a ‘bank’ full of them at the end of the period. Guido...
Hydro and NTNU launch research center dedicated to aluminium products of the future
Hydro is donating up to NOK 10 million to create a five year professorship at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). The professorship will support the creation of the NTNU Aluminium Product Innovation Center (NAPIC). The vision of the center is to find new product areas for aluminium, and to establish NTNU as a world leader in the application of aluminium products. Through a unique collaboration between NTNU faculties in Trondheim, Ålesund and Gjøvik, NAPIC will research the application of aluminium in architecture, product design, materials technology and product development. Vanguard research. "Aluminium is energy and knowledge in solid form, and Norway is already a world leader in research and innovation within our industry. This center will be in the vanguard of...
Japanese aluminium buyers agree to pay Q2 premium of $115/T
Some Japanese aluminium buyers have agreed to pay a premium of $115 per tonne for primary metal to be shipped in the April-June quarter, three sources directly involved in the quarterly pricing talks said. The deal, reached with one global metal producer, marks a 4.5 percent rise from a $110 per tonne premium PREM-ALUM-JP in the previous quarter, a second straight quarter-on-quarter increase, reflecting lower inventories at home. Japan is Asia's biggest importer of aluminium and the premiums for primary metal shipments it agrees to pay each quarter over the London Metal Exchange (LME) cash price set the benchmark for the region. The latest quarterly pricing negotiations began last month between Japanese buyers and global producers, including Alcoa Inc, Rio Tinto and South32 Ltd, with...
Aluminium price undeterred by China capacity expansion in 2H 2016
The aluminium price outlook still looks bright in the first half of this year, not dimmed by growing aluminium capacity in China, SMM predicted at the recent 2016 Copper & Aluminium Summit in Shanghai. China’s aluminium capacity will expand to 42 million-tpy in 2016 from 39 million-tpy in 2015, SMM aluminium analyst Liu Xiaolei said at the summit. The first half of the year will see no more than one million-tpy enter operations, though, with much of the additional capacity to come on stream in the second half of the year, Liu added. Financial tightness at most smelters will be the one of the reasons behind slow capacity release, Liu explained. Banks are now very cautious towards lending to companies in aluminium-related industry against bad loans caused by a large number of aluminium...
China’s Hongqiao tops aluminium production industry worldwide
China’s Hongqiao Group remains on top of the aluminium production industry following a risky-but-logical declaration last week regarding an increase of the company’s production capacity. On March 14, Hongqiao chief executive Zhang Bo announced their plan to increase production capacity of aluminium by the end of 2016 to 6 million tonnes or about 16 percent higher from their 5.19-million-tonne produce in 2015, as per a report from the Financial Times. Understandably, the company will continue with this course depending on the market conditions. "If demand is good, we will stick with the plan. If not, we can slow down new capacity expansion or even suspend it," Zhang said. Fortunately, the market did do good as Forbes reported how Hongqiao "devoured" the international aluminium industry....
Aluminium Hydroxide/Alumina Hydrate Customs values on import revised
Directorate General of Customs Valuation Karachi has revised customs values on the import of Aluminium Hydroxide/Alumina Hydrate from India, China, Korea, India, USA, EU and Japan for assessment of duty/taxes. The directorate has superseded Valuation Ruling No 233/2010, dated 09-03-2010 through a ruling (819/2016) issued here on Monday. According to the ruling, Aluminium Hydroxide/alumina Hydrate (powder form), origin India, customs values fixed at (C & F) 0.27 US $ per KG; other origins, customs values (C & F) 0.30 US$ per KG; aluminium Hydroxide/Alumina Hydrate (Gel / paste form), origin China, Korea, India, customs values (C & F)0.50 US$ per KG and imports from USA, EU and Japan of the said item would be subjected to Customs Values (C & F) 0.60 US$ per KG. In cases where declared /...
Odisha bauxite mines allocation to L&T gets delayed
Engineering conglomerate L&T's bid to bag the prized Kutrumali and Sijimali bauxite deposits has hit the wall of delay. Although the Odisha government had recommended the twin bauxite deposits in favour of L&T, the central mines ministry has questioned the delay in grant of mineral concession to the proponent and the rationale behind allocation of such huge deposits. Being the subsisting holder of prospecting license (PL) over the two deposits, L&T is entitled to get the mining lease (ML) under the amended Mines and Minerals (Development & Regulation) Act, 2015. The two mines, straddling Rayagada and Kalahandi districts, have combined reserves of around 300 million tonne of bauxite. "We had recommended grant of ML in favour of L&T after deciding that it is the rightful claimant over the...
Aluminium futures firm up on global trend
Aluminium futures traded higher at INR100.20 per kg, largely in tandem with a firming trend in base metals at the London Metal Exchange (LME). Besides, increased demand at domestic spot markets also influenced prices. At the Multi Commodity Exchange, aluminium for delivery this month rose 15 paise to INR100.20 per kg in a business turnover of 183 lots. Metal for delivery in April also rose by a similar margin to trade at INR102.15 per kg in 10 lots. Market analysts said the rise in aluminium prices in futures trade was mostly due to a firming trend in base metals at the LME and rising demand at the domestic spot market here.
About 48% of Chinese aluminium smelters bullish over prices this week
About 48 per cent of the 42 Chinese aluminium smelters surveyed by SMM expect aluminium prices to rise this week. Those optimists see SHFE 1605 aluminium rising above RMB 11,500/mt and LME aluminium advancing above the 40-day moving average to USD 1,535-1,560/mt, citing positive factors. First, European and US economic recovery will cheer market up. A series of economic data from the euro zone, the UK and Germany are expected to be positive in March, and US exiting and new home sales were also upbeat in February. Second, it will become more difficult for Chinese aluminium smelters to get loans amid China’s supply-side reform in industries plagued by severe overcapacity. This will speed up retirement of outdated smelters and slow commissioning of new capacity and restarts of idled...
Next-gen Jaguar XJ with aluminium architecture to debut in 2019
Jaguar, the iconic British luxury car brand, has been excelling in product engineering and delivering great sales figures after India's Tata Motors acquired it in 2008. The company, post-acquisition, launched the F-Type sports car and the XE sedan. The XF's new generation luxary car with aluminium upgrades was introduced by the car maker featuring elaborate changes made in engine and interiors. The only product that was left to get the new generation makeover was the XJ flagship sedan. Latest industry reports suggest Jaguar is gearing up to get the transformation done on the model. A report says the next generation of the XJ will debut in the international market around 2019. The model will be unveiled featuring new-generation V6 hybrid drivetrain will be unveiled in 2017-2018. The new...
CRL opens CRL-U.S. Aluminum Super Center in Atlanta
C.R. Laurence, the world leader and wholesale distributor to the Glazing, Industrial, Construction, Architectural industries, completed its new 105,000-square-foot CRL-U.S. Aluminum Super Center in Atlanta, Georgia. The Super Center combines a CRL Service Center and a U.S. Aluminum Service Center in the region. With the new Super Center, customers now have the convenience of having both brands under one roof, which will improve customer service and streamline operations, according to CRL officials. The new Super Center will allow the company to enhance manufacturing processes, creating greater stock inventories, and delivering shorter lead times. It will serve as the principal distribution point for Georgia and surrounding areas, and bring local door and aluminium frame production to the...
Emiroll to set up aluminium coil plant in Abu Dhabi
Emirates Aluminium Rolling (Emiroll), a joint venture between leading Dubai entities and Singapore-based industrial group Mars, is set to build a new plant in Abu Dhabi, UAE, at an investment of Dh440 million ($120 million). The facility will come up on a 900,000-sq-ft area in Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (Kizad) amidst surging demand for flat-rolled aluminium products designed for applications in downstream industries across the UAE and GCC countries. Both Mars and Dubal Holding, a subsidiary of Investment Corporation of Dubai (ICD) with a focus on investing in energy, commodities and industrial projects, have a 35 per cent stake in Emiroll, while the other entity Dubai Investments, the leading, diversified investment conglomerate listed on Dubai Financial Market, has the remaining...
ALMAG Aluminum requalifies as one of Canada's best managed companies
ALMAG Aluminum Inc., was a winner of Canada’s Best Managed Companies program in 2014 and Requalified in 2015 to maintain their status as a Best Managed company. The Best Managed program recognizes Canadian-owned and managed companies with revenues over $10 million demonstrating strategy, capability and commitment to achieve sustainable growth. ALMAG has built a 63 year long reputation of striving to be the best employer for our employees, the best supplier for our customers and the best customer for our suppliers. These 3 stakeholder groups, working together, have created many "that can't be done" products that have enabled all 3 to prosper and grow together earning this outstanding recognition." Established in 1993, Canada’s Best Managed Companies is one of the country’s leading business...
Commerce will hear Aluminum Extruders Council petition in Chinese semis case
The Aluminum Extruders Council, last week, filed a Circumvention and Scope Clarification case with the Commerce Department against aluminium producer China Zhongwang alleging that the Chinese aluminium producer is using semi-finished products to circumvent taxes meant to account for government subsidies. Commerce concluded, late Tuesday, that, “based on the information provided by petitioner, the department finds there is sufficient basis to initiate an anti-circumvention inquiry.” Commerce will now determine whether the merchandise subject to the inquiry, semi-finished aluminium products from China, involves either a minor alteration to subject merchandise or that it represents a later-developed product that can be considered subject to current anti-dumping law. “Mounting evidence from...
US Shredder and Castings Group commissions aluminium shredder at MOST
Miramar Beach, Florida-based U.S. Shredder and Castings Group has commissioned a 7090 heavy-duty aluminium shredder at MOST Inc., Troy, Missouri, a subsidiary of Toyota Tsusho America Inc. The supplier says installation began in early January 2016 and took less than 60 days to complete. U.S. Shredder handled the project as a turnkey installation, providing civil and electrical engineering, a building that encloses the shredder and downstream, hydraulics and mechanical installation. The shredder is driven by an AC motor provided by Amerimex of Houston. The shredder system includes an auto-pilot system for operational efficiency as well as an automated water injection system, according to U.S. Shredder. The 7090 shredder replaces a smaller shredder at the foundry and is capable of handling...
LME aluminium to hover above $1,509
Aluminium at London Metal Exchange (LME) seems to have stabilised around a support at $1,509 per tonne and may either hover above this level for one day or rebound to a resistance at $1,545. The support and the resistance are identified respectively as the 61.8 per cent and the 38.2 per cent Fibonacci retracements on the rise from the January 12 low of $1,449 to the March 7 high of $1,605. A break above $1,545 could be unlikely, as the downtrend from $1,605 may eventually extend to $1,449. A break below $1,509 could cause a loss to the 76.4 per cent level at $1,486.
Most Chinese aluminium smelters return to profit territory
Most Chinese aluminium smelters have returned to profit-making territory at current aluminium prices , SMM statistics found. The weighted average full cost was 10,774 yuan per tonne at Chinese aluminium smelters in SMM’s survey’s sample in March. SMM calculates that about 2.36 million tonnes, or 7.95 per cent of operational aluminium capacity in China still suffered losses in cash costs in March when aluminium prices were at 11,000 yuan per tonne. Similarly, about 12.71 million tonnes, or 42.8 per cent of operational aluminium capacity in China still suffered losses in full costs when aluminium prices were at 11,000 yuan per tonne. SMM spot aluminium prices averaged 11,298 yuan per tonne in the week ending March 18, up 92 yuan per tonne from a week ago.
Technology innovation drives excellence in inspection and maintenance operations at EGA
Emirates Global Aluminium (“EGA”), the largest primary aluminium producer in the region accounting for almost 50 per cent of the total primary aluminium production capacity in the GCC, adopts and – where relevant – develops, world-leading processes and technologies to produce the highest quality products possible. As well as developing advanced proprietary reduction technologies (such as DX+ Technology and DX+ Ultra Technology), one of EGA’s key priorities is to utilise home-grown technologies to support operational best practices that ensure worker protection, as well as energy and time efficiency. To ensure sustained technological development across all plant operations, the Technology Development & Transfer department at EGA has been mandated to innovate continuously in order to drive...
