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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Audi SQ7 TDI packs 48V electric compressor, 664 lb-ft
It's the first time Audi has done an S performance version of its flagship sport-ute, and packs under the hood a 4.0-liter V8 turbo diesel engine mated to an eight-speed automatic and all-wheel drive. It produces a potent 435 horsepower, and an absolutely bonkers 664 pound-feet of torque. That's enough to make us forget it wasn't there in Geneva. It's also more torque than just about anything the Volkswagen Group makes – short of the Bentley Mulsanne Speed and the new Bugatti Chiron. Not even the Lamborghini Aventador SV or Bentley Continental GT Speed can touch that torque figure. Nor can competition like the Porsche Cayenne S Diesel (with its 385 hp and 627 lb-ft) or the BMW X5 M50d (381 hp and 546 lb-ft). It may not surpass the old twelve-cylinder Q7 6.0 TDI (with its 493 hp and 738...
LME aluminium may rise to $1,641
LME aluminium may rise to $1,641 per tonne, as it has broken a resistance at $1,585. The resistance was provided by the 23.6 percent Fibonacci retracement on the fall from the Nov. 6, 2014 high of $2,078.75 to the Nov. 23, 2015 low of $1,432.50. The next resistance will be at $1,641, the 38.2 percent Fibonacci retracement on the fall from the May 6, 2015 high of $1,977 to $1,432.50. A drop to $1,575 could signal the break above $1,585 was false, and the support at $1,561, a 23.6 percent retracement, will be tested.
Hindalco jumps 15.44% in three sessions
Hindalco Industries jumped 5.95% to INR 79.25 at 15:15 IST on BSE, with the stock extending recent gains after the finance minister in Union Budget 2016-17 hiked customs duty on primary aluminium and other aluminium products to check rising imports. Meanwhile, the BSE Sensex was up 335.16 points, or 1.38%, to 24,578.14. High volumes were witnessed on the counter. On BSE, so far 25.96 lakh shares were traded in the counter, compared with an average volume of 13.45 lakh shares in the past one quarter. The stock hit high of INR 79.75 and low of INR 75.55 so far during the day. The stock hit a 52-week high of INR 161.10 on 4 March 2015. The stock hit a 52-week low of INR 58.85 on 12 February 2016. The stock had outperformed the market over the past one month till 2 March 2016, gaining 9.04%...
MP wants comprehensive DEIA on Kuantan's bauxite mining
Kuantan MP Fuziah Salleh has called for a comprehensive, detailed environmental impact assessment (DEIA) to be conducted on bauxite mining activities in the Pahang capital. "Considering that not a single EIA was done before issuing the licences for the mines, we don't really know the impact of bauxite mining on the environment, people, animals, and plants. "So a macro DEIA covering all areas that are impacted must be carried out, and the results from that must be a consideration in determining the future of bauxite mining in Kuantan," she told Malaysiakini. Fuziah (photo) said this after expressing concern that Putrajaya was taking a "simplistic" route in solving the bauxite pollution in Kuantan. Bauxite mining in Kuantan is now under a three-month moratorium, until April 15, after...
Bauxite mines can be developed as industrial park
The former bauxite mine in Felda Bukit Goh, Kuantan, may be developed as an industrial area if the land is no longer suitable for oil palm. State Felda affairs committee chairperson Abu Bakar Harun said this was an alternative plan being considered to help the settlers, after the mining activities were stopped. "If it is suitable as an industrial area, we may have joint-ventures with the land owners, with the agreement of the state government and Felda. This is to ensure that the settlers benefit if the land is no longer fit for crop cultivation." Abu Bakar was speaking to reporters after the closing of a corporate social responsibility programme by Politeknik Sultan Haji Ahmad Shah (Polisas) at the D'Kucing Valley Hajah Maimudah cat centre in Felda Chini 4, Pekan, yesterday. Commenting...
Xinjiang heralds first alumina delivery warehouse
Xinjiang’s first alumina delivery warehouse will settle in Changji City, local media reported. Aladdiny Alumina Trading Center Co. and Zhongjiang Logistics Co. signed a deal on March 1 over establishment of alumina delivery warehouse. From now on, Aladdiny Electronic Trading Platform will provide a series of services for alumina suppliers and buyers in Xinjiang and nationwide, such as electronic trading, logistics & warehousing, collateral financing, etc. The move, which is a response to the Chinese government’s “the Belt and Road” initiative and “Internet Plus” program, could potentially give aluminum smelters in Xinjiang a greater say in alumina pricing and reduce their raw material purchasing costs.
US shredded scrap prices remain flat; US aluminum scrap prices stay flat
United States shredded scrap prices remained flat during the week ended February 19, while major US aluminum scrap commodities weekly average prices on Scrap Register Price Index showed an almost flat trend. According to TSI, US Midwest weekly shredded index remained flat at $182 a long ton the week (delivered mill), as the market gears up for March purchases. Expectations for this period are currently unclear, although some yard purchase prices dropped by up to $10 a long ton in early February. US export yards are keeping seaborne prices to Turkey close to $180 a ton, which are stable on latest sales. The weekly average scrap prices of Al/Cu Rad with Iron, Al/Cu Radiator , Alum Breakage, Alum Litho Sheets, Alum Old Sheet, Alum Transformer and Mix Alum Casting remained almost flat during...
Alcoa awarded up to $50 million contract from U.S. Army to advance combat vehicles
Lightweight metals leader Alcoa has been awarded a five-year contract from the U.S. Army worth up to $50 million for R&D projects focused on developing innovative, lightweighting solutions for ground combat vehicles. The U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research, Development and Engineering Center (TARDEC) awarded Alcoa Defense a “Ground Vehicle Light-Weighting” contract to support efforts to accelerate technology research and development and provide engineering solutions for Department of Defense ground vehicles and intelligent ground systems. “This agreement with TARDEC builds on Alcoa Defense’s decades-long partnership with the U.S. Army to advance military ground vehicles,” said Eric Roegner, President of Alcoa Defense. “Alcoa’s lightweight solutions have improved troop protection while...
Aluminum extrusion becomes biggest driver behind China aluminum semis exports
Aluminum extrusion has beat aluminum plate/sheet and strip as China’s biggest driver of aluminum semis exports, takungpao.com reported. Aluminum extrusion took up as much as 54.8% of China’s total aluminum semis exports in 2015. According to the 2015 Nonferrous Metals Market Development Report, there were about 850 aluminum extrusion producers in China in 2015, with total annual capacity at roughly 23.8 million tonnes, accounting for 66.3% of global capacity. China Zhongwang Holdings, China’s leading aluminum extrusion producer, boasts an annual capacity of more than 1 million tonnes.
Ardagh Group prepares binding bid for Ball, Rexam assets
Ardagh Group, the packaging conglomerate controlled by Irish billionaire Paul Coulson, is preparing a binding offer for the assets being divested by drinks can makers Ball Corp and Rexam Plc, according to people familiar with the matter. Ardagh Group is competing against three private equity firms for the packaging plants up for sale, the people said this week. The strong interest in these assets increases chances that Ball's pending acquisition of Rexam will meet conditions set by antitrust authorities. Ardagh Group and buyout firms Blackstone Group LP, Apollo Global Management LLC and Madison Dearborn Partners LLC have reached the final round of bidding for the assets, the people said. Binding bids are due later this month, they added. Based on annual earnings before interest, tax,...
New, eco-friendly technologies could transform the European aluminium industry by 2050
Adopting innovative technological solutions - currently in early research phase - instead of following a conservative technology development path could slash the direct greenhouse gasses (GHG) emissions of aluminium production by 66% in 2050 and reduce the associated energy consumption by 21%, according to a JRC report. The reductions between 2010 and 2050 for primary aluminium production are even higher, amounting to 72% and 23% respectively. The findings stem from an analysis of the current status of the aluminium industry in EU28 and Iceland, which quantifies the potential for GHG emission reduction and energy efficiency. The current EU target for 2030 of reducing GHG emissions by at least 40% below 1990 levels will help the long-term objective of emissions cut by 80-95% by 2050 in the...
Venezuela aluminum production continues to drop
Aluminum production in Venezuela continued to drop in 2015, the Ministry of Industry said in its annual report, after a year of labor conflicts, timid investment and a deep recession. Venalum, Latin America's largest aluminum factory, had output of 90,795 metric tons of the metal last year, a 15 percent drop from 2014. The ministry cited "low inventories of raw materials, supplies and spare parts, (and) intermittent availability of machinery and equipment." In March last year, Venalum said it had been forced to reduce the purity of its products owing to financial difficulties. Last year also saw an increase in production costs. Venalum has a capacity to produce 430,000 metric tons of aluminum annually and is 80 percent controlled by the Venezuelan state. The remainder is owned by a...
Dudley's Aluminium working on Gatwick Diamond Project
Aluminium fabricators Dudley’s Aluminium will begin work on a new office development at Gatwick Diamond this year, which will generate revenue for front-line emergency services. The offices are being developed on a brownfield site which has been pre-let by the South East Coast Ambulance Service. Surrey County Council believe this approach is a blueprint for other councils to follow; using land assets to provide long-term revenue streams that off-set budget cuts elsewhere. The Gatwick Diamond, which has one of the strongest local economies in the UK, is home to over 45,000 businesses and the new office developments will create more jobs for the local economy. Dudley’s Aluminium has secured a £670k contract to provide essential façade and glazing at the new office development. The company...
Aleris to announce Q4 and Full-Year 2015 financial results on March 9
Aleris, the global leader in aluminum rolled products, is scheduled to announce fourth-quarter and full-year 2015 financial results on Wednesday, March 9, 2016. President and Chief Executive Officer Sean Stack and Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer Eric Rychel will host an earnings conference call to discuss the company's fourth-quarter and full-year 2015 results and take questions from analysts at 9 a.m. ET on March 9, 2016. Conference Call and Slide Presentation Live dial-in number: 1-866-364-3817 or 1-412-902-4207 for international callers Analysts who wish to ask a question following the prepared remarks should press "star and 1" on their push button phone during the call. Your name will be placed in queue. If you need assistance, press "star zero" on your touch tone phone to reach...
“THE STRENGTHS OF SAFETY- Dictionary of Transportation” Conference to meet in Dubai
“THE STRENGTHS OF SAFETY- Dictionary of Transportation” Conference, the one-off roundtable initiative focusing on the increasingly important issue of safety, will be held at the Maintenance Theatre, Middle East Rail - Dubai World Trade Centre, on 9th March, 2016 (12:30 - 14:00). Middle East Rail is in the third year of an interchange initiative in Dubai between Italian and Arab businesspeople regarding innovations in transport. The 2016 edition of the conference will present various aspects of developments of this on-going project. The conference brings together crucial evidence regarding the effectiveness of research on integrated transport, some which are the impact of materials with sand, unpredictable events, projects designed specifically for high-speed equipment, Smart Cities and...
Ford rolls out aluminium chassis-cab super duty trucks
Responding to the need for more specialized, rugged and capable work trucks such as aerial lifts, field-service vehicles and medium-duty haulers, Ford Motor Co. is debuting a new chassis-cab model of its aluminium-bodied Super Duty trucks at this month’s Work Truck Show. Employing a new, high-strength, aluminium-alloy cab and a higher-strength steel frame than the outgoing generation, the 2017 F-350, F-450 and F-550 chassis-cab lineup offers best-in-class capability, Ford claims, with a front gross-axle-weight rating of 7,500 lb. and a gross-combined weight rating of 40,000 lb. “Commercial truck customers need tough, capable trucks the can haul heavy equipment to crush challenging jobs,” says Craig Schmatz, Ford Super Duty’s chief engineer. “The innovations our team has put into the...
BoscoLighting expands aluminium extrusion range for lighting applications
LED lighting specialist BoscoLighting announces the addition of new products to their aluminium extrusion range to support diverse lighting applications. With the latest expansion, BoscoLighting now offers more than 70 types of aluminium extrusions and multiple options for each, enhancing design flexibility in any lighting project. BoscoLighting supplies aluminium extrusions for under-bench lighting, corridor lighting, and office and reception lighting. Extrusions are available for recessed, suspended and surface mounted lights to suit virtually any lighting application. The new aluminium extrusions take lighting design to the next level with options allowing for lights to be recessed into walls, ceilings and even in-floor. Suspended fittings can also be mounted at varying heights to...
SHFE approves ten warehouses for aluminium delivery
The Shanghai Futures Exchange (SHFE) announced March 1 that it has approved ten warehouses from eight companies for aluminium delivery. This move will expand capacity of SHFE aluminium delivery warehouses by 175,000 tonnes, according to the SHFE website. These newly approved delivery warehouses will be allowed to generate aluminium warrants for futures delivery from February 16, 2017. These newly approved warehouses are located in Henan, Shandong, Chongqing and Tianjin, the SHFE said in a statement. The move is aimed at better serving transfer of aluminium industry, a SHFE official said. At present, China’s aluminium producing regions are concentrated in northwest, southwest and central parts of the country, while aluminium consumption is shifting from Guangdong, Zhejiang to Chongqing,...
