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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Protect Indian metal industry from imports: Anil Agarwal
Anil Agarwal, chairman of Vedanta Resources, has called upon the government to do everything to protect Indian metal industry from the ravages of indiscriminate foreign imports and help revive stalled manufacturing projects. In an impassioned plea to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and finance minister Arun Jaitley ahead of the budget, Agarwal said manufacturing has a multiplier effect on GDP and growth. "Investments made cannot be allowed to suffer. We can't keep them idle. The government should ensure that existing businesses are not on crutches and they don't start bleeding," he told ET in Davos. Vedanta has been forced to curtail aluminium production due to lack of bauxite availability and its iron ore business in Goa has been hurt by government-imposed export duty. Vedanta has also been...
Sohar Aluminium’s output at 377,186 tonnes in 2015
The collective output of primary aluminium by the five GCC producers - Emirates Global Aluminium in UAE, Alba in Bahrain, Ma’aden Aluminium in Saudi Arabia, Qatalum in Qatar and Sohar Aluminium in Oman - stood at 5.27mn tonnes in 2015. This was seven per cent higher than in 2014. Sohar Aluminium’s total production in 2015 stood at 377,186 tonnes. “Record GCC output reflects the continuous improvements in efficiency and optimisation of resources,” said Mahmood AlDaylami, secretary general of the Gulf Aluminium Council. GCC aluminium production constitutes ten per cent of total global output and is considered one of the key economic drivers for the Gulf region, a press release said on Sunday. Nearly 40 per cent of the total production is utilised by the downstream aluminium industries in...
Jaguar's posh new aluminium rich XF to debut in SA next month
Jaguar's all new, second generation XF sedan will be launched in South Africa next month with a range of engine choices. The premium car maker says the 2-litre turbodiesel version will be the most efficient car in the midsize premium sedan class. Though the new XF’s general profile is very reminiscent of the outgoing model, the completely new and aluminium rich chassis structure mean it weighs up to 190kg less. This diet plan combines with a freshly-sculpted and also aluminium intensive body which is 10 percent more aerodynamic than the previous model’s. Under the bonnet is the same 132kW/430Nm “Ingenium” diesel engine as found in the smaller XE sedan, paired with the same eight-speed auto gearbox. Jaguar says acceleration from 0-100km/h takes 8.1 seconds, but when driven frugally an...
Nanshan Aluminum mulls acquiring Shandong Yili Power's asset to extend value chain
Nanshan Aluminum has been reported to be mulling over plans to acquire aluminium asset and captive power plant of Shandong Yili Power. The acquisition is being strategized as an important step towards integrating its value chain further, Nanshan Aluminum said in a disclosure filed with the Shanghai Stock Exchange. On completion of the transaction, estimated at 7 billion yuan (as per China Securities), Nanshan Aluminum’s aluminium supply will expand from current 136,000 tonnes to 816,000 tonnes. Nanshan Aluminum, a vertically integrated company that covers thermal power, alumina, aluminium and aluminium semis, has over 1 million tonnes an aluminium processing capacity.
LME aluminium likely to consolidate this week
LME aluminium is expected to consolidate this week, SMM expects. Firm US dollar, depressed global stock market and falling commodity prices will keep LME aluminium in check between $1,470-1,500/mt. SHFE 1603 aluminium should move at 10,700-10,900 yuan per tonne, supported by tight supply in domestic spot market, but capped by selling pressure at highs. Inflow of deliverable goods will ease tightness in China’s spot market. Downstream stocking before the 2016 Chinese New Year holiday in early February will allow suppliers to hold offers firm. Spot premiums of 50-100 yuan per tonne are expected over SHFE 1602 aluminium.
AluSolutions: New speakers announced
AluSolutions 2016, the only free exhibition and conference addressing sustainability challenges in aluminium production and processing, is excited to announce confirmed speakers from Rio Tinto, Norsk Hydro and Schueco. Taking place on 10th – 11th May 2016 at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, the AluSolutions conference will demonstrate how the aluminium industry is making continuous improvements in the environmental efficiency of producing aluminium, as well as its sustainability benefits in end-use applications. The second day of the conference (11th May) will host Dr Fiona Solomon, Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) Director, as keynote speaker. Dr Solomon brings nearly 20 years of experience in sustainability and corporate social responsibility to her role at the ASI and...
Ma’aden announces reduction in profits and increase in production and capacity
The Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Ma’aden) announces a net profit of SR605 million for the financial year 2015, a decrease of 55% compared to its 2014 financial net results. Speaking on these results, Ma’aden CFO Khalid Al-Rowais pointed out that the company has been impacted with the decline of commodity prices, specifically in the aluminium business. However, looking at the overall performance of the year, Ma’aden has achieved the highest production levels in a number of sectors including phosphate where production exceeded 2.6 million tons of phosphate fertilizer compared to 2.4 million tons in 2014. The company’s aluminium sales also reached 836,000 tons of aluminium compared to 663,000 in 2014 while its gold production jumped to 164,000 ounces compared to 154,000 ounces of the...
Malaysia bauxite mining ban may be extended further
Malaysian ban on bauxite mining may be extended. CBIX was down 1.1% (US$0.5) over the week, finishing at US$47.1/dmt, as lower prices from non-Malaysian suppliers continued their trend lower. Sentiment from Malaysia suggests authorities are likely to take a hard line approach to ensuring bauxite miners meet environmental standards. Given the improvements necessary to meet the standards by most of the miners (lead times on equipment purchase, installation etc), it may take longer to achieve than the three-month duration of the current ban. Some industry insiders are now suggesting the ban may be extended to five months (from three). Miners and exporters are currently clearing stockpiles and planning for the necessary process upgrades. Despite the turmoil, Malaysian bauxite prices were...
Aluminium beverage can recycling at new record high
The overall recycling rate for aluminium beverage cans in the European Union, Switzerland, Norway and Iceland increased by 1.8% to a new record level of 71.3% in 2013. European Aluminium considers this result an important milestone on its path towards its voluntary recycling target for used beverage cans of 80% by 2020. From its first introduction more than 50 years ago, the aluminium beverage can has been an integral part of the Circular Economy. It is infinitely recyclable without loss of its properties and its value. This makes it the ideal packaging solution to help achieving the new ambitious EU recycling targets proposed for the years 2025 and even 2030. Maarten Labberton, Director of the European Aluminium Packaging Group stresses the need for more efficient collection, sorting and...
EGA team develops new system to cut power costs in aluminium production
A team of engineers at Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), the fifth largest aluminium producer in the world, has developed a unique cathode structure that could reduce operating costs at the plants significantly. Aluminium production is an energy-intensive industry, such that using less energy during the production process reaps a number of benefits – including lower operating costs and reduced emissions levels. Over the past 25 years or so, EGA has made substantial investments in developing technologies that ensure continuous improvements in the company’s operations, with energy-efficiency being at the top of the agenda. More recently, efforts have been launched to protect the company’s inventions through applications to patent EGA’s proprietary technologies. Since 2014, EGA has worked...
Nalco to scan sites in Iran, Qatar for smelter unit next month
State-owned aluminium maker Nalco will send a team of officials to Iran, Qatar and Oman as early as next month to explore opportunities for setting up a gas-based thermal power plant and an aluminium smelter. Previously, the over $2-billion project was slated to come up at one of the specially designated economic zones in Iran's Kerman province, but could not materialise due to sanctions on the Persian Gulf nation, a source said. "Now as the sanctions have gone, Nalco will send a team to Iran to explore options for setting up the project by next month or March. They will also visit Oman and Qatar. Since we can get really cheap power in these countries, this will help bring down production cost," he added. It takes around $1,500-1,700 to produce one tonne of aluminium metal, with alumina...
Aluminium down 0.1% on subdued demand
Aluminium prices eased by 0.10% to INR 100.90 per kg in futures trade today as participants trimmed positions, tracking a trend at spot market on sluggish demand. At the Multi Commodity Exchange, aluminium for delivery in far-month February eased by 10 paise, or 0.10% to INR 100.90 per kg in business turnover of 44 lots. Likewise, the metal for delivery in January contracts weakened by 5 paise, or 0.05% to INR 100.10 per kg in 1032 lots. Anlysts said the weakness in aluminium at futures trade was mostly owing to slackened demand from consuming industries in the spot market.
China to export more semi-fabricated aluminium in near-term
China's exports of semi-fabricated aluminium products will rise in the near-term as delivery premiums have stabilized and increased in consuming markets, Macquarie Bank head of commodities research Colin Hamilton said on Thursday. "China is going to be exporting deflationary pressures to the global aluminium market for quite a while now," Hamilton said in a presentation at the Platts Aluminum Symposium in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
India aluminium scrap prices gain; MCX aluminium settles lower
India major aluminium scrap commodities prices gained on Wednesday, while aluminium futures prices at India's Multi Commodity Exchange settled lower as pressure seen after Citi cut its 2016 aluminium forecast to $1,435 a ton. It expects Chinese aluminium product exports will continue to weigh on the market this year. The major aluminium scrap commodities dropped on Scrap Register Price Index as on Wednesday. India's major scrap commodities like Aluminium Accessories scrap, Aluminium ingots, Aluminium Rod Company and Aluminium Rod Local traded up on Wednesday. However, the most active January aluminium contract on Multi Commodity Exchange settled up by 0.69% to INR 100.15 per kilogram on Wednesday from previous close of INR 100.85 per kilogram. The MXC aluminium prices touched an intra-day...
Indian metal recycling industry seeks removal of duties
The metal recycling industry of India has urged the government for exemption on Special Additional Duty (SAD) and removal of basic import duty on inbound shipments of ferrous and non-ferrous scrap to give a boost to the sector. The industry recycles aluminium among other metals mainly from automotive, power, infrastructure, construction and white goods industry. It is set to register an annual growth of 11.4 per cent by 2020, industry body Metal Recycling Association of India (MRAI) said in a statement. Considering the growth potential of the industry, the sector needs policy intervention from the government, it added. Pre-Shipment Inspection Certification (PSIC) is one such area where the trade body wants the government to streamline pre-shipment inspection procedures, MRAI President...
Alba participates in Aluminium Symposium 2016
Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba)’s, one of the leading aluminium smelters in the world, is a key participant in the well-known international aluminium event - Aluminium Symposium 2016, taking place from January 20-22, 2016 in Florida, USA, under the theme ‘Outlook for Aluminum in 2016’. As one of the first international aluminium event for 2016, Alba’s participation in the Aluminium Symposium 2016 marks its continuous commitment to expand its reach across diverse territories. Alba’s Chief Marketing Officer, Khalid Abdul Latif, Manager Sales – Europe, Boris Santosi and Manager Sales – Alba Americas, Patrick Hudson, will represent the Company at this Symposium. Speaking about Alba’s participation, Alba’s Chief Marketing Officer, Khalid Abdul Latif said: “GCC aluminium production constitutes...
New logistics regulations set to keep a tab on Pahang's bauxite operations
Lorries designed specifically to ferry bauxite and new rules for the transfer of the aluminium ore onto ships and barges are among new regulations proposed to keep bauxite industry operations in check in Pahang. Natural Resources and Environment Minister Datuk Seri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said the stringent new regulations were now being drafted. “We want to better regulate the operations by coming out with standard operating procedures covering the mining, transportation and stockpiling of bauxite in Pahang,” he told reporters after attending the Department of Irrigation and Drainage’s excellence award ceremony here yesterday. Among the proposed regulations, Dr Wan Junaidi noted, was that bauxite mining companies use only lorries that are specifically designed and manufactured...
Government unlikely to give in to Noranda's bauxite levy waive-off demand
Against Noranda Aluminum Holding Corporation's recent decision to lay off a huge chunk of its workforce if the Government did not reconsider its plans to collect outstanding levy from them, Finance Minister Dr Peter Phillips, said the Government believes it can collect the revenues without impairing the ability of the company to survive. "We believe that we can both collect on our money and keep the company working, but we cannot give away depleting, non-renewable resources of Jamaica without getting what is provided for, in law, for the people of Jamaica," Phillips said yesterday. Noranda Aluminum Holding Corporation has announced it will be moving ahead with job cuts, as it is failing to cope with several challenges, including the insistence of the Jamaican Government to collect the...
