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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US shredded scrap prices drop; US aluminium Scrap prices show flat trend
United States shredded scrap prices dropped during the week ended February 12, while major US aluminium scrap commodities weekly average prices on Scrap Register Price Index showed an almost flat trend. According to TSI, US Midwest weekly shredded index fell by $3 a long ton during the week to $182 a long ton (delivered mill). The February buy-week finished up essentially sideways, as expectations of further price hikes to those seen in January were dampened by export yards selling tonnages domestically. TSI’s US 10-day monthly average for February was $183 a long ton, down by $5 a long ton month-on-month. 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...
Stronger dollar helps Romanian aluminium producer Alro turn to profit
Romania’s only aluminium producer Alro Slatina recorded an adjusted net profit of EUR 19.1 million in 2015 compared to adjusted losses of over EUR 30 million in 2014, as its turnover went up by 15% to EUR 517 million. The company managed to compensate part of the decline in international aluminium prices by increasing the sales volumes, especially for higher value added products. However, its turnover increase was determined by the higher USD/RON exchange rate, as the company quotes its products in US dollars. The average USD/RON exchange rate was 19% higher in 2015 compared to 2014. Alro’s bottom line was also positively impacted by the state’s decision to cap the big industrial energy consumers’ contributions to the renewable energy support scheme. “The investments of over USD 550...
Higher power costs to make survival harder for Chinese aluminium smelters
Chinese aluminium smelters, already battered by multi-year low aluminium prices , will find it even harder to survive as the latest policy will add to their power costs. China’s Ministry of Finance issued a notice on collection of industrial enterprise restructuring special fund, mainly targeting power plants and companies with captive power plants, effective January 1, 2016. Aluminium smelters, big users of power, will bear the brunt. SMM statistics found about 75% of China’s aluminium capacity relies on captive power. The notice does not cover companies in some regions, such as Xinjiang and east Inner Mongolia, though. Those in Shandong will be required to pay 0.0139 yuan/Kwh, according to the notice, which equates to a 200 yuan/tonne increase in costs for local aluminium smelters; when...
Aluminium China brings together electronics manufacturers and aluminium processing companies
With the rapid development of consumer electronics, with shorter life cycles and less time between upgrades, metal is increasingly replacing plastic as the shell material of choice, reducing costs and providing a lighter, slimmer and more environment friendly alternative. A look at some of the latest mobile phones in 2016 including LG’s curve screen, the Sony Xperia Z6 and HTC X9, along with Chinese brands such as LeTV Max Pro, Huawei Mate 8 and Lenovo K4, shows that they all have one feature in common, a metal shell. Traditionally, metal shells for consumer electronics were made mainly of aluminium-magnesium alloy or stainless steel. However, with complicated processing technologies and high costs, aluminium alloy is now replacing aluminium-magnesium, offering a superior safety record...
Fletcher Building : Aluminium JV to create new windows and doors business
Fletcher Building Limited announces it has reached agreement to create a 50-50 joint venture between its Fletcher Aluminium windows and doors business and NALCO. The new business will be jointly owned by Fletcher Building and NALCO, with each having an equal shareholding. Fletcher Aluminium and NALCO will each contribute all of their business assets to the new entity, including intellectual property, and all employees of the two businesses will transfer to the joint venture. Ron Holden, the current Managing Director of NALCO, will become Managing Director of the new entity. In the 18 months following formation of the joint venture, it is proposed the Fletcher Building manufacturing site in Auckland will close. Fletcher Building will be funding its share of the capital expenditure to...
Norsk Hydro to build the Karmøy technology pilot
Hydro has made a formal build decision for the planned full-scale technology pilot at Karmøy, Norway, aiming to verify the world's most climate and energy efficient production of primary aluminium. Total costs are estimated at NOK 4.3 billion, consisting of net project costs of NOK 2.7 billion and around NOK 1.6 billion in support from Enova. First metal from the technology pilot is expected during the second half of 2017. "After several successful improvement programs, the next steps in our efforts to further strengthen our cost curve position will increasingly rely on our ability to advance our industry-leading position in technology and innovation," says Hydro president and CEO Svein Richard Brandtzæg. "The Karmøy technology pilot will play a key role in realizing this ambition,...
Odisha's bauxite reserves to attract more than INR 30,000 cr in next few years
It may be early yet, but there seems to be signs of revival in big ticket investment in Odisha's aluminium sector. If recent announcements are anything to go by, the state, home to more than half of India's bauxite reserves, is poised to attract investment worth well over INR 30,000 crore in the next few years. While engineering major Larsen & Toubro (L&T) said it is hopeful of getting final clearances for its estimated INR 12,000 crore greenfield refinery project, public sector major National Auminium Company (Nalco) said on Monday it has committed INR 20,550 crore for expanding its alumina refinery at Damanjodi and setting up an aluminium park at Angul. Natural resources giant Vedanta Ltd also said it will sign a MoU with Odisha for an aluminium park, expected to garner investments of...
Kaiser Aluminum posts net loss of $237 mln for the year ended Dec 31, 2015
Full Year 2015 Results and Business Highlights: • Net Sales $1.4 Billion; Value Added Revenue Up 8% to $790 Million • Operating Loss $346 Million; Adjusted EBITDA $183 Million; EBITDA Margin 23% • Record Shipments of Heat Treat Plate and Automotive Extrusions • Expanded Sales Margins - Improved Pricing and Lower Contained Metal Costs • Continued Investments For Further Growth, Enhanced Efficiency and Quality • Returned ~$77 Million to Shareholders Through Quarterly Dividends and Share Repurchases Kaiser Aluminum Corporation reported a net loss of $237 million, or $13.76 loss per diluted share, for the year ended December 31, 2015, including the previously announced $307 million after-tax, non-run-rate charge associated with the termination of defined benefit accounting and the removal of...
“Sustainability questions are increasingly important for every industry…aluminium industry is no exception,” Dr Fiona Solomon, Executive Director, Aluminium Stewardship Initiative
The Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) was launched in 2012 to foster greater sustainability and transparency throughout the aluminium industry. Supported by key industry players, ASI is working with a broad base of stakeholders to assess industry-specific sustainability challenges, opportunities and needs. Dr Fiona Solomon is the Executive Director of the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI). Throughout her career, she has been involved in developing new and innovative initiatives along the mineral supply chains. Dr Solomon shares with AlCircle her inputs on the sustainability challenges faced by the aluminium industry and how ASI activities aim to address the issue globally. Excerpts from the interview: AlCircle: In your view, how relevant is the concept of sustainability for the...
Rusal sees 12.5 mln tonne global alumina capacity closing in 2016
Rusal expects 12.5 million tonnes of alumina capacity to be closed worldwide this year, an executive from Rusal was reported saying in a recent interview. Rusal's own modernization program, however, will increase its alumina capacity by about 430,000 tonnes when it is complete by May or June, Yakov Itskov, director of Rusal’s alumina division, the executive was quoted as saying.
Microsoft Lumia 650 with aluminium frame to debut in "select" European markets
Nokia and then Microsoft’s Lumia has so far been banking heavily on their low-end, low-cost devices to woo the mobile handset market. And while these devices often offered decent hardware and software specifications, they never shined in the design department. With its latest launch- Microsoft Lumia 650, the brand has finally come of age in terms of high-end designing. The 5-inch mobile handset now wears a “highly polished, diamond cut and anodized aluminium frame. Slated to go on sale in “select” European markets on Thursday, February 18, at “around” $199 before taxes and subsidies, the aluminium-frame Microsoft Lumia 650 scales at only 122 grams while measuring 6.9mm in depth. The age of awkwardly bulky Windows phones seems to be over, although obviously, Redmond’s “attention to every...
Nanshan Aluminum eyeing high-end aluminium applications
Shandong Nanshan Aluminum, a large Chinese vertically integrated aluminium processor, is aiming to become one of the global top ten aerospace aluminium materials suppliers, China Securities reported. The company had strategic cooperation with famous aircraft manufacturers, like Boeing and Airbus in 2015. Its aerospace materials industrial park has fully entered operations. The park features medium-thick plate, extruded products and forging products. Nanshan Aluminum will step up supply of mid- and high-end products, Chairman Cheng Rence said. Aluminium consumption in China’s rail transportation sector is expected to reach 220,000 tonnes in 2016. Nanshan Aluminum is developing aluminium alloy sheet used in high-speed trains. It is also developing automotive aluminum sheet, forgings and...
India aluminium scrap prices remain flat; MCX aluminium settles slightly up
India major aluminium scrap commodities prices remained flat on Friday last week, while aluminium futures prices at Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX) settled slightly higher boosted by the expectations of dovish comments from a senior U.S. Federal Reserve official but gains were limited by the continuing concerns for the global economy. The major aluminium scrap commodities dropped on Scrap Register Price Index as on Friday. India's major scrap commodities like aluminium accessories scrap, aluminium ingots, aluminium rod company, aluminium rod local, aluminium sheet cutting, aluminium utensil scrap and aluminium wire scrap were remained flat on Friday. The most active February aluminium contract on Multi Commodity Exchange settled slightly up by 0.50% to INR 102.60 per kilogram on Friday...
LME aluminium may rise to $1,530
Aluminium on London Metal Exchange (LME) may rise to $1,530 per tonne, driven by a powerful wave c. This is the third wave of a bigger wave C - the third leg of a three-wave cycle from the Nov. 23 low of $1,432.50. A Fibonacci projection analysis on the target of the wave C indicates it may travel to $1,581, the 100 percent level. The immediate resistance is at $1,515, the 50 percent level. A rise to $1,518 could confirm a break above this barrier and the target at $1,530. A drop below $1,510 could signal the metal's failure to break resistance and support at $1,499, the 38.2 percent level, may be approached.
Aluminium futures at MCX up 0.78% on rising demand, global cues
Aluminium remained firm and prices gained 0.78 per cent to INR 103.40 per kg in futures trading today as speculators enlarged their positions, tracking a firm trend at spot market on surging demand. At the Multi Commodity Exchange, aluminium for delivery in February month traded higher by 80 paise or 0.78 per cent to INR 103.40 per kg in a business turnover of 2354 lots. Similarly, the metal for delivery in March contracts edged up by 65 paise or 0.63 per cent to INR 103.35 per kg in 252 lots. Market analysts said increase in positions by traders on the back of pick up in demand from consuming industries at domestic spot markets and a firming trend in base metals in the overseas markets kept aluminium prices higher at futures trade.
Romanian aluminium producer borrows USD 137 mln to refinance loan
Aluminium producer Alro has signed a USD 137 million revolving loan agreement with a syndicate of banks led by Raiffeisen International and Raiffeisen Bank Romania. The company needs the money to refinance another USD 120 million revolving loan it took from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development in 2010. The consortium bank also includes Unicredit Bank, OTP Bank, Eximbank, Garanti Bank, Intesa Bank, and Banca Transilvania. Alro will guarantee the loan with its main assets, mortgage securities, mortgage rights, and compensation from insurance policies covering the company’s assets.
About 65% of Chinese smelters see aluminium prices stabilizing this week
About 65% of the 20 Chinese aluminium smelters surveyed by SMM expect aluminium prices to stabilize this week. They expect LME aluminium to hover between USD 1,500-1,520/mt and SHFE 1604 aluminium to consolidate at RMB 10,750-10,900/mt. Aluminium stocks in China’s major trading markets grew significantly after the week-long holiday, but were lower than in the same period last year. Downstream demand has yet to fully recover. Traders were actively stockpiling goods out of optimism. Another 10% are bearish that LME aluminium will fall to USD 1,480-1,500/mt and that SHFE 1604 aluminium will drop below RMB 10,700/mt, citing a series of negative factors: US non-farm payrolls were poor; GDP in the euro zone grew slowly in December; Japan’s GDP missed forecast in Q4; China’s manufacturing PMI...
Make in India: Vedanta proposes aluminium park in Odisha
To give a fillip to 'Make In India' campaign, diversified metals & mining major Vedanta Resources Ltd has proposed to set up a state-of-the-art aluminium park close to the site of its aluminium SEZ (special economic zone) at Jharsuguda. This state-of-the-art plug-and-produce aluminium park will be set up across 240 acres of land, providing an exclusive ecosystem for industries dependent on as well as manufacturing aluminium conductors, extrusions, castings, foils, powder and paste. For commissioning of the proposed park, Vedanta would sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Odisha government. The announcement to set up the aluminium park was made by Vedanta during the 'Make in India' week organised in Mumbai. Abhijit Pati, chief executive officer (aluminium), Vedanta Ltd said,...
