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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Metro Mining secures native title and land access agreement
Metro Mining has finalised a significant life-of-mine Native Title and Land Access Agreement for its Bauxite Hills project, north of Weipa. In a release to the Australian Stock Exchange today, Metro Mining says the agreement, reached jointly with the Ankamuthi People, and the Old Mapoon Aboriginal Corporation (OMAC), is a key milestone to granting of the Mining Lease. ‘The Agreement sets a sound foundation for long term relationship with the Ankamuthi People, Traditional Owners and OMAC, the Trustee owner of the land,” Metro CEO Simon Finnis said. “The agreement includes a Cultural Heritage Management Plan for the Project area, employment and training opportunities for traditional owners, business development and contracting opportunities for Ankamuthi businesses and payment of mining...
Aluminum Association updates on North America’s downstream market
According to an Aluminum Association report shipments of all major aluminium products declined in the month of December. Shipments of can stock by domestic producers totaled 345.5 million pounds during December 2015, off 1.1 percent from the December 2014 total of 349.4 million pounds. Compared to the previous month, shipments rose 3.3 percent over the November 2015 total of 334.4 million pounds. Preliminary shipments for 2015 totaled 4,178.1 million pounds, down 1.7 percent from the 2014 total of 4,250.5 million pounds. Compared to December 2014, producer shipments of can stock to U.S. markets decreased 2.6 percent to 289.9 million pounds while exports increased 7.4 percent to 55.6 million pounds. Estimated net shipments of Aluminum Sheet and Plate by U.S. and Canadian producers totaled...
Aluminium up by 0.3% on global trend
Aluminium futures traded 0.30% higher at INR 100.75 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 influenced prices. At Multi Commodity Exchange, aluminium for delivery in January rose 30 paise, or 0.30%, to INR 100.75 per kg, in a business turnover of 304 lots. Metal for delivery in February was trading higher by 25 paise, or 0.25%, at INR 101.20 per kg in two lots. Analysts attributed the rise to a firming trend at the London Metal Exchange (LME) and pick up in demand at the domestic spot markets mainly influenced aluminium futures here.
Alba inaugurates 2016 ‘Town Hall Meetings’
Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba), one of the leading aluminium smelters in the world, kicked-off the inaugural session of 2016 ‘Town Hall Meetings’ on January 14, 2016 at the Oasis Hall. Delivered by Alba’s Chief Executive Officer, Tim Murray, the 2016 ‘Town Hall Meetings’ will brief all employees about the Company’s performance in 2015 along with the expectations for 2016. The ‘Town Hall Meeting’ was a special initiative introduced by Murray in January 2014 to update employees on Alba’s performance and goals through presentations and interactive sessions. Speaking about this initiative, CEO Tim Murray said, “The Town Hall Meetings have become a tradition in our Company as a platform that provides a direct means of communication with our employees. Alba had a remarkable 2015 on many fronts...
Tiwai Point smelter nearing break-even amid global aluminium glut
The future of Tiwai Point aluminium smelter looks healthier. Amid falling alumina prices, global aluminium glut, and a weakening New Zealand dollar, this phenomenon indeed stands out as a milestone for the smelter owner, observe researchers in a recently published assessment note on the prospects for the New Zealand electricity sector this year. "Tiwai remains an uncertainty for the industry," the note says, with options to cancel existing electricity contracts triggering in April and January next year ahead of possible closure in early 2018 or a staged reduction in output. "Surprisingly perhaps, we think the risk of an early 2018 exit remains low despite bombed out aluminium prices," the note added. The smelter uses 13% of all the electricity generated in New Zealand. Its closure would...
Dudley's Aluminium secures a £300k contract to develop Crawley Retail Park
Leading aluminium fabricator Dudley’s Aluminium is posed to start work at the upcoming Acorn Retail Park in Crawley. The park will be built on the outskirts of Crawley, with a host of renowned retailers such as Mark, Spencer’s and Smyths Toys all part of the project, creating employment for the local economy. Dudley’s has secured a £300k contract to provide key structural aluminium fittings at the site. The scope of duty would include creating and installing custom-made aluminium curtain walling and automatic doors. Commenting on the project, Dudley’s managing director Colin Shorney said: “We are pleased to have secured the Acorn Retail Park contract, and look forward to completing our work at the site this year. The retail park will create a number of new jobs, supporting the local...
Louisville aluminium processor names a new president
Tri-Arrows Aluminum Inc. has named Henry Gordinier as its new president. Gordinier previously was the Louisville company's executive vice president for commercial and planning, according to a news release. He rejoined the company in July 2014 after working as vice president of strategic planning for Kindred Healthcare Inc. Gordinier will report to Tri-Arrows CEO Steve Shiraishi, who became president and CEO of the company in May 2015. Tri-Arrows supplies rolled aluminium sheet products produced at its jointly owned rolling mill, Logan Aluminum in Russellville, Ky. The company has annual revenue of about $1 billion, according to the release, and it supplies the beverage container and automotive industries in North America. The company began operations in 1977 as ARCO Aluminum. It was...
Alcoa's aerospace-technology aluminium wheel blanks used for Solomon Alsberg Audi wheel
Alcoa has extended the range of lightweight wheel forgings supplied to Solomon Alsberg for their exclusive high-performance alloy wheels. The aerospace-derived metallurgy of the Alcoa blanks allows Solomon Alsberg to create a wide range of ultra-stylish wheels that improve vehicle performance and dynamics as well as reducing fuel consumption and emissions. The 20 inch blanks supplied within this programme are produced from billets of 6061-T6 aluminium, using the same technology as the wheels it produces for the Boeing 747. The superior strength of this alloy in one-piece wheels allows a significant weight saving over cast or multi-piece wheels. The forging process aligns the metal grains uniformly along the contours of the wheel, allowing less material to be used thus reducing weight....
First Bauxite announces extension agreement with note holders and issuance of US $11 mln note
First Bauxite Corporation is pleased to announce that it has entered into an extension agreement with its note holders to extend from January 19, 2016 to February 29, 2016 the maturity date in all the outstanding notes issued by the company to the Pacific Road Resources Funds and Resource Capital Fund V L.P. The company also agreed to revise the Tranche 2 Purchase Date to February 29, 2016 in the note purchase agreement dated October 30, 2015 between the company and Resource Capital Fund VI L.P. related to the 8% interest bearing convertible note issuable to RCF VI in the principal amount of US$11,000,000. All other terms of the transaction remain in place as described in the company's news release dated October 30, 2015. The existing debt roll-over and tranche 2 closings remain subject...
Report casts doubt on 2016 bauxite supplies
Most news concerning global metal demand and pricing has been gloomy in 2015 and so far in 2016, but a report from a London-based research firm is pointing to a supply factor that could put upward pressure on aluminum pricing. In its new “Metallurgical Bauxite & Alumina” report with forecasts to 2026, London-based Roskill notes that China, the world's largest alumina and aluminum producer, lost Indonesia in 2014 as a significant supplier of bauxite to feed its alumina refineries and now there may be a supply disruption from Malaysia. Following Indonesia’s decision to implement a ban on the export of unprocessed ores [in 2014], China’s aluminum industry “turned to Malaysia in an attempt to fill the void,” writes Roskill. “Malaysia’s ability to rapidly increase its output was demonstrated...
Global high purity alumina market poised to grow at 6.9% over 2016-2021
According to a recently published market research report, the global high purity alumina (HPA) market was valued at US$ 1.2 billion (bn) in 2014 and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.9% during the forecast period to reach US$ 3.6 bn by the end of 2021. HPA is a high-end product of the non-metallurgical grade alumina market. It is a high-value product that serves as a base material for the manufacture of sapphire substrates used in a wide range of applications such as light emitting diodes (LEDs), scratch-resistant artificial sapphire glass, and semiconductor wafers. According to the market assessment, global packaged LED production which is currently witnessing a significant annual growth rate of 9%-11%, is expected to be a major demand driver for HPA....
China aluminium destocking slows on softening consumption
Aluminium stocks in China fell at a slower pace as downstream consumption has softened. Aluminium stocks in China’s five major trading markets fell almost 40,000 tonnes each week on average in December, SMM data showed. However, average weekly decline was just about 5,000 tonnes in the first half of January. Some small and medium aluminium processors have closed early for the 2016 Chinese New Year holiday due in early February, hurting consumption of the light metal, SMM has learned. Aluminium smelters stepped up shipments to regions with massive production cuts, allowing stocks in major trading markets to continue falling, though. The table below shows details of aluminum stocks at China’s five major markets:
Alcoa to delay curtailment of Intalco Smelter
Lightweight metals leader Alcoa today announced it will delay the curtailment of its Intalco Works smelter in Ferndale, Washington until the end of the second quarter of 2016. The plant was initially scheduled to curtail by the end of the first quarter. The company announced a full curtailment of the Intalco smelter (230kmt) on November 2, 2015, with the plant’s casthouse continuing to operate. However, recent changes in energy and raw material costs have made it more cost effective in the near term to keep the smelter operating to provide molten metal to the plant’s casthouse. Once all announced curtailments and closures are complete, the company will have removed approximately 25 percent operating smelting capacity and approximately 20 percent of operating refining capacity by mid-2016,...
Expert says Malaysian bauxite industry needs a stricter system
The Government of Malaysia should draw up more stringent procedures for the industry during the three-month moratorium on bauxite mining, says geologist, Dr Habibah Jamil. Dr Jamil, who is also a part of the Science and Technology Faculty at Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, said it was vital because the aluminium ore posed a serious threat to health. “Bauxite is high in aluminium hydroxide, iron oxide and chromium. These elements are inside the fine dust and can be absorbed into the body through inhalation,” she said. “Long term exposure to aluminium hydroxide can cause Alzheimer’s disease while iron oxide will damage the liver." Besides, the red mud makes water murky and kill fish and other life in the ponds and rivers it pollutes. Dr Habibah said the adverse effects on humans might only...
Gateway Extrusions adds new equipment
Fast growing national aluminium extruder Gateway Extrusions, in Union, has implemented the second phase of its multi-phase expansion program with the acquisition of a new 7-inch extrusion press. Purchased and installed this summer, the equipment underwent rigorous testing and calibration before being brought into full operation this fall. The new press represents a major upgrade from the company’s existing 7-inch aluminium press. “This state-of-the-art press has greatly enhanced our capabilities and improved production speeds,” said Tom Ziegler, vice president for Gateway Extrusions. “We’re able to offer our customers the extruded profiles they need in a broader range of lengths and tempering with the new equipment. The system’s features allow us to operate more efficiently, moving from...
Ball Corporation obtains regulatory clearance for Rexam
Ball Corporation BLL announced that the European Commission has granted regulatory clearance in Europe related to its proposed acquisition of Rexam PLC, subject to the divestment of 12 plants in the European Economic Area ("EEA"). Ten of these plants manufacture can bodies, while the other 2 produce can ends. In early 2015, Ball Corporation had confirmed its offer to acquire Rexam. The pending acquisition of Rexam for a cash and stock deal valued at $8.4 billion (£5.4 billion) will create the world's largest consumer packaging supplier. Rexam and Ball Corporation are, respectively, the first and second largest beverage can manufacturers in the EEA as well as the two market leaders worldwide. Ball Corporation was facing hurdles from its shareholders and regulatory bodies on the concern...
Alcoa names Karl Tragl President of Transportation and Construction Solutions Group
Lightweight metals leader Alcoa today announced that Karl Tragl will become President of the Company’s Transportation and Construction Solutions Group. He succeeds José Drummond, who resigned from Alcoa to become CEO of a Brazilian company. Tragl’s appointment is effective on February 15, 2016. Tragl joins Alcoa from Bosch Rexroth AG, Bosch’s $6 billion automation solutions company, where he has held the role of chief executive officer since 2010. While there, he grew revenues significantly across a customer base that spans most of Alcoa’s major markets, including construction and commercial transportation. Highly respected by customers for his expertise in the application of industrial Internet solutions, his insights are expected to help shape the expansion of Alcoa’s digitization, 3-D...
Kaiser Aluminum announces a 12.5% increase in quarterly dividend payment
Kaiser Aluminum Corporation today announced that its Board of Directors has declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.45 per share representing a 12.5% increase over the prior quarter's dividend. The dividend will be payable on February 12, 2016 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on January 25, 2016. "The increase in our quarterly dividend reflects our continued confidence in the outlook for our business," said Jack A. Hockema, CEO and Chairman. "We are very well-positioned for further long-term growth and shareholder value creation facilitated by strong secular demand for automotive and aerospace applications, and with continued improvements in our production capacity, efficiency, and quality we will continue to capitalize on these growth opportunities. Our priorities...
