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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Govt of India colour-codes industries: aluminium extraction from scrap- orange, aluminium utensils- green
Government of India has come up with a list of industries that would now be classified as red, orange or green, and the different rules that they would be subjected to. This decision pertaining to a new colour-coded categorisation of industries based on a particular industry's pollution potential was made in 2015. It took the government a year to finalise the list of industries. A new category, white, has been added to include the industries that are “practically non-polluting”. These industries, like air cooler or air conditioning units, won’t need a green clearance enabling easier financing. The classification is for entire industrial sectors and not for individual units. Cement industry, petrochemicals, fertilizers, and paints, for example, have been put in the red category. Orange...
Fresh selling seen in aluminium, open interest up by 13.62%
Aluminium on MCX settled down -0.68 per cent at 101.55 tracking weakness in LME three-month aluminium fell 0.3 per cent to $1,515 in cautious trade ahead of the outcome of a Federal Reserve policy meeting, which is expected to leave interest rates on hold but signal how quickly the bank may tighten this year. According to sources now the market for aluminium was balanced, there was a risk more capacity coming on line would snuff out the recovery. LME aluminium prices should remain at a level which keeps capacity idled - in our view around $1,400 a tonne, for the foreseeable future. China’s primary aluminium output fell significantly during the first two months of this year, data from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) showed. Output dropped 7.7 per cent year-on-year to 4.55 million...
China's aluminium firm Chalco back in profit, plans offshore bonds
Aluminum Corporation of China Limited (Chalco) moved back into profit in 2015 after a record loss in the previous year after the company cut costs, closed loss-making facilities and sold assets. The company's board also gave approval for the issue of debt instruments, including up to $1 billion worth of offshore bonds, it said in a filing on the Shanghai stock exchange on Thursday. The planned issues are still subject to shareholder approval. In 2015, Chalco posted a net profit of 206.3 million yuan ($31.84 million) versus a record net loss of 16.2 billion yuan in the previous year, according to the filing. Chalco, a state-controlled leading producer of primary aluminium and raw material alumina in the country, returned to the black despite a fall in domestic aluminium prices. The company...
JPMorgan rattles traders with LME aluminium stockpile
JPMorgan Chase is holding more than half of the aluminium on the London Metal Exchange, a multibillion-dollar position that has rattled rival traders and raised questions in London’s tight-knit metal market about its influence on prices. The bank’s $2bn-plus physical stockpile of aluminium, which could cover 40 years of Coca-Cola’s current UK drinks can output, has been blamed by many traders for pushing up the price of near-term contracts that are about to expire, even though the industry is in its seventh year of a major supply glut. Big aluminium buyers, say the concentrated holding of at least 1.4m tonnes of aluminium stocks has distorted the supply outlook and made it more difficult to use the LME to protect against volatile prices. “If you looked at the LME without knowing anything...
Altech Chemicals Ltd appoints EPC contractor for high purity alumina project
Altech Chemicals Ltd has appointed M+W Group as its engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor for its high purity alumina (HPA) project. The appointment of M+W Group as EPC contractor by Altech marks the formal commencement of the final detailed engineering design phase of the project. Iggy Tan, managing director for Altech, commented: “M+W Group brings vast construction experience and knowledge to the project. "With a strong presence in Asia, and specifically experience at project construction in Malaysia, the use of its local Singapore and Malaysian offices for construction with detailed design in Germany is a perfect combination for us.” Altech is aiming to become one of the world's leading suppliers of 99.99 per cent (4N) high purity alumina (HPA) (Al2O3). HPA is a...
Gartner to supply aluminium facades for the largest building project in Switzerland
New Major Contracts from Los Angeles to Frankfurt - Europe’s highest skyscraper will be clad with an aluminium-glass façade made in Gundelfingen, Bavaria. Josef Gartner GmbH was awarded the contract for the building shell of 460m high Lakhta Centre in St. Petersburg. Gartner will also manufacture the façades for The Circle at Zurich airport, the largest building project in Switzerland. The façade cladding for both major contracts will cover an area of over 165,000 sqm or about 23 football fields. Lakhta Center in St. Petersburg, Russia has been designed as a mixed use complex. The 460.7m high tower will be twisting upwards like a winding needle. Its complex aluminium and glass façade is twisted by 0.8 degrees. The glass will be cold-formed as this presents a cost-efficient method which...
Aluminium aerosol can market in UK witnessing unprecedented growth in 2015
The manufacturers and suppliers of aluminium aerosol cans who are operating in the UK have been witnessing an unparalleled growth in 2015. The year till now has practically pushed some aluminium aerosol can suppliers to their capacity limit, revealed a recently published market research report on the British aerosol packaging market. The buoyancy in demand for aerosol cans made of aluminium is largely attributed to the brand owners who provided the necessary market impulses with innovations and strategic promotions. Individual branded companies reportedly suffered from a shortening of aerosol cans. This for example had a negative impact on the business of consumer goods giant Unilever. The first two months of the current business year, however, were still characterised by brisk demand,...
Chalco eyeing aluminium downstream expansions
Aluminum Corporation of China (Chalco) will focus on aluminium applications in transportation and construction sectors, said its chairman Ge Honglin, who is painting a rosy picture of aluminium use in China. Ge was quoted by Wenhua Finance as saying aluminium applications in China is far from the peak period. Chalco has signed cooperation agreement with several automakers over R&D in automotive aluminium alloy new materials. The company hopes to realize mass supply of aluminium parts and components for car use in coming 2-3 years. Chalco will step up R&D in aluminium sidings and scaffold this year and actively develop regional markets, a source from the company said.
U.S. manufacturers’ coalition calls on Dept. of Commerce to fairly assess China’s economic status
A group of leading U.S. manufacturing associations today announced the formation of a new coalition, Manufacturers for Trade Enforcement, to oppose China’s designation as a market economy at the end of 2016. China has claimed that it should be automatically accorded treatment as if it were a market economy after the 15th anniversary of its accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in December 2016. U.S. law requires that the Department of Commerce make a market economy status (MES) determination based on established criteria, which many experts agree that China has not met. “Our industries can compete against any other market-oriented competitors, but we cannot compete against the Chinese government,” said Heidi Brock, President & CEO of the Aluminum Association. “The Chinese...
Bonnell Aluminum to invest $18 mln in Niles facility
Bonnell Aluminum plans to invest approximately $18 million in a new aluminium extrusion line at its facility in Niles over the next year, according to a statement released today. The Newnan, Ga.-based manufacturer of soft and medium-strength alloy aluminium extrusions for the construction, automotive, machinery and other markets expects to begin production on the new line in the second quarter of 2017. Bonnell’s new line will include a 16-million-pound capacity extrusion press, supporting equipment and additional floor space for future expansions, according to the statement. The company, a subsidiary of Richmond, VA.-based Tredegar Corp., cites “continued growing demand from our customers,” as a driver for the expansion in Niles, said Brook Hamilton, president and general manager for...
Constellium launches Notes offering
Constellium N.V.has announced that the company intends to offer, subject to market and other conditions, approximately $400 million of senior secured notes due 2021 consisting of U.S. dollar denominated senior secured notes. The Notes will be guaranteed on a senior secured basis by certain of the company’s subsidiaries and secured by certain assets of the company and certain of the company’s subsidiaries. The company intends to use the proceeds from the Offering for general corporate purposes, which may include investments in Wise Metals Intermediate Holdings LLC and its subsidiaries (“Wise Metals”) and the company’s joint venture with UACJ Corporation, capital expenditures, repayment of debt, working capital investments, research and development efforts, or future acquisitions. Upon...
Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry exhibiting at CastExpo16 in Minneapolis, MN from April 16-19
Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry announced that they will be exhibiting at the CastExpo16 to be held in Minneapolis, MN April 16-19, 2016. Key Highlights of this year's Cast Expo: • 450+ Exhibitors showcasing the latest equipment, technology and resources. • Access to the whole supply chain: suppliers, metalcasters and casting buyers. • 4 days of professional development, for all job responsibilities, from executives to plant floor. • Metalcasting classes. • The latest technical research, practical roundtable discussions, and panels from industry experts. • Networking activities. • Real-world solutions to apply back at the job. Established in 1909, Wisconsin Aluminum Foundry has consistently provided the finest quality aluminum and copper based alloy castings for a wide variety of industries....
Qatalum: National representation at TMS2016
Qatalum received several accolades and fitting recognition at Nashville this year. In particular was the baking furnace achievement and Qatari representation amongst the engineering peer group on issues related to the aluminium reduction process. Visited annually by more than 4,300 scientists and engineers, the TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition is a top global showcase for the latest products and services in minerals, metals, and materials. This year’s TMS2016, also known as The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society Annual Meeting & Exhibition, took place from the 14 to18 February in Nashville, Tennessee. The event brought together business leaders, engineers, scientists and other professionals in the materials field for an outstanding exchange of technical knowledge leading to solutions in...
Indonesia hopes four new smelters complete in 2016
Indonesia hopes four new smelters will be completed in 2016, a mining ministry official said on Wednesday, as low commodity prices continue to create financial problems for the mining industry and shrink government returns. Indonesia banned metal ore shipments in early 2014 to encourage firms to build smelters and shift exports from raw materials to higher-value finished metals. But the ban cost the country, a major supplier of bauxite, billions of dollars in lost revenue. Dozens of smelter projects have been delayed as a result of the current downturn in commodity prices. "In 2016 we hope four additional smelters will be operational," Coal and Minerals Director General Bambang Gatot told reporters. They will process nickel, alumina and lead. The latest figure is around half of an earlier...
Revolution buys property for aluminium plant
The company that plans to build an aluminium plant in Pineville that could employ more than 1,000 people has bought property for the project. Revolution Aluminum Propco LLC secured the property that formerly housed Pineville's International Paper mill. The startup plans to build its own mill on the property. Several other partner companies that will support the mill's operations are also expected to locate to the complex, which has been named Innovation Park. Together, the companies are expected to spend more than $1.5 billion and employ more than 1,000 people. "The hard work over the last year to make this day happen will pay off in huge opportunities for all of Central Louisiana," said Pineville Mayor Clarence Fields. "Revolution Aluminum and the other tenants of the park have the...
Alba holds AGM for 2015; approves cash dividends
Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba), one of the world’s leading aluminium producers, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) on March 16, 2016 at Al Dana Hall, Aluminium Bahrain, Askar, during which approval was given to the distribution of cash dividends related to the fiscal year 2015. The total dividend for the fiscal year 2015 amounted BD 15.5 million (US$ 41.3 million), equivalent to 11 per cent of the nominal value of the company’s shares - which is 11 fils per share, of which 5.5 fils (interim dividend) has already been distributed to the shareholders in September 2015. The final dividend for 2015, equivalent to BD 7.8 million (US$ 20.6 million), will be payable from April 3, 2016 to Alba's shareholders of record as of March 16, 2016. In addition, audited financial statements for the...
Altech Chemicals confirms financial robustness of HPA project
Altech Chemicals Ltd has revealed results of an update to its Bankable Feasibility Study (BFS) for the development of a 4,000tpa high purity alumina (HPA) processing plant at Johor, Malaysia. Key outcomes of the updated BFS include: • Increased estimated pre-tax NPV9 of US$358 million (previously US$326 million). • Higher Internal Rate of Return (IRR) of 33 per cent (previously 30%). • Capex US$78.7 million (was US$76.9 million). • Long-term sale price forecast unchanged at US$23,000/tonne for 99.99 per cent (4N) product. • Cost of goods sold slightly higher at US$9,074/tonne. • EBITDA of US$55.7 million per annum at full production. Iggy Tan, managing director, commented: “This updated BFS confirms the financial and technical robustness of the company’s HPA project, as was identified in...
High Purity Alumina market will be worth $5.09 bln by 2020
According to a recently published market research report, the global high purity alumina (HPA) market is projected to reach USD 5.09 Billion by 2020, at a CAGR of 20.1 per cent from 2015 to 2020. The increasing applicability of high purity alumina among varied end-user applications, such as LEDs, semiconductors, phosphor, and sapphire, among others is expected to drive the market for high purity alumina during the forecast period. The high purity alumina market can be segmented by purity level (4N, 5N, 6N), by application (Light Emitting Diode, Semiconductor, Phosphor, Sapphire, Others), and by region (Asia Pacific, North America, Europe, Rest of the World). Among all types of purity levels, the 4N segment led the global high purity alumina (HPA) in 2014, and accounted for the maximum...
