AL Circle Analysis: Bauxite developments, alumina trade & primary aluminium market dynamics across Australia, Guinea, US & India
The aluminium industry is entering another phase of supply-chain repositioning. Across bauxite, alumina and primary aluminium, companies are investing in new resources, consolidating strategic assets and expanding processing capacity, while governments are increasingly treating domestic supply as a strategic priority. The latest developments from Australia, Guyana, Guinea, Indonesia, the US and India point to a market where resource security, processing location and control over supply chains are becoming as important as production growth. At the same time, new trading mechanisms and changing investment patterns are beginning to influence how aluminium and its raw materials reach the market. Bauxite supply expands, but securing the right tonnes is becoming harder In Western Australia, VBX...
China's 22.87 Mt extrusion market faces a structural shift as 317 GW solar growth counters weak construction demand
The global aluminium extrusion landscape is undergoing a structural transition driven by industrial decarbonisation, global electrification, and the rapid deployment of clean energy infrastructure. Historically anchored by civil engineering and residential real estate, demand for extruded aluminium profiles in China, the world’s dominant manufacturing hub, is decoupling from traditional property sectors. Persistent structural weakness in China’s domestic construction market has slowed the consumption of conventional architectural profiles such as window frames, door sections, and curtain walls. Conversely, advanced industrial applications, specifically solar photovoltaic (PV) racking, battery energy storage systems (BESS), power grid modernisation, and electric vehicles (EVs), have...
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Lindberg/MPH ships gas-fired aluminium stack melting furnace to leading marine supplier
Lindberg/MPH announced the shipment of a gas-fired aluminium stack melting furnace for a leader in the marine industry. The industrial furnace was modified to hook directly to the customer’s existing melting furnace to provide additional melting capacity and efficiency. The customer requested a system that would increase melt rate, enhance safety, and improve efficiency with state of the art process control. Lindberg/MPH took the customer’s request and designed a stack melting system to attach to the customer’s existing melting furnace via a short and enclosed launder connection trough. The two manually operated doors on adjacent sides allow for easy access to the melting chamber for cleaning. The laser charge stack level control monitors material level in the stack for maximum...
Hydro CEO says aluminium market balance depends on China cuts
The outcome of Chinese discussions to cut the country's aluminium output will be key to determining the global price of the light-weight metal, the head of Norwegian producer Norsk Hydro told Reuters on Thursday. Aluminium prices have dropped by nearly 50 percent since 2011 to $1,459 per tonne. "The economic growth in China is on its way down while (aluminium) production capacity is building up," Hydro Chief Executive Svein Richard Brandtzaeg said on the sidelines of a business conference. Chinese data due out in the coming days are expected to show a continued slowdown in the world's second-largest economy, forecasts show. After rising slightly towards the end of 2015, the price of aluminium has again fallen at the start of the new year. "It's difficult to tell how long this will...
Alcoa to close its 269,000 metric ton Warrick smelter in Indiana
Lightweight metals leader Alcoa today announced it will permanently close its 269,000 metric ton Warrick Operations aluminium smelter in Evansville, Indiana by the end of the first quarter 2016. The rolling mill and power plant at Warrick Operations will continue to operate. Once the actions announced today and in the fourth quarter are implemented, Alcoa will have curtailed or closed 812,000 metric tons of smelting capacity since its announced review in March 2015 of 500,000 metric tons of smelting capacity. Alcoa forecasts improving supply-demand balance in the aluminium market for 2016, and is focused on positioning the business for success throughout market cycles. The company is on target to meet or exceed its 2016 goals of moving to the 38th percentile on the aluminium cost curve....
Nalco will get Pottangi Bauxite reserve: Tomar
Commending Indian aluminium major Nalco for its impressive performance despite economic slowdown and sluggish market, Union Steel and Mines Minister Narendra Singh Tomar today said the Navaratna PSU will soon get the Pottangi Bauxite reserve. "Nalco has already got Utkal D and E coal blocks and the aluminium major will get Pottangi Bauxite mines soon," Tomar said at the Foundation Day celebrations of the state-owned aluminium giant here. Notwithstanding the worldwide economic slowdown and sluggish market conditions, Nalco has been able to put up an impressive performance, the Union Minister said, adding, the company proposed to venture into several new activities. A number of activities and projects have been undertaken by Nalco as part of its corporate social responsibility (CSR) which...
Alcoa to curtail remaining capacity at Pt. Comfort alumina refinery
Lightweight metals leader Alcoa has announced it is taking further action to increase the competitiveness of its Upstream business amid prevailing market conditions. In 2015, the Midwest transaction aluminium price dropped approximately 30 percent, and the alumina price Index fell approximately 40 percent. By the end of the second quarter 2016, Alcoa will reduce alumina production by one million metric tons, which includes curtailing the remaining 810,000 metric tons of refining capacity at its Point Comfort operations in Texas. Once the actions announced today and in the fourth quarter are implemented, Alcoa will have curtailed 3.3 million metric tons of refining capacity since its announced review in March 2015 of 2.8 million metric tons of refining capacity. Alcoa forecasts improving...
Malaysia to ban bauxite mining for three months
Malaysia on Wednesday imposed a three-month ban on bauxite mining beginning later this month amid worries over its environmental impact, potentially affecting exports of the aluminum-making ore to Chinese smelters. Malaysia emerged last year as a major provider of bauxite after leading producer Indonesia banned ore exports to encourage more processing at home. From January to November, Malaysia exported some 20 million metric tons of bauxite to China, the world’s biggest aluminum producer. That was nearly half China’s total bauxite imports and a sharp increase from 3.25 million tons in the same period in 2014. Industry experts had earlier said Malaysia’s entry into the industry was a game-changer, opening a new source of bauxite to meet demand for aluminum, a metal used in cars and...
Alcoa refineries safe from WA bushfire
Metals giant Alcoa says its West Australian alumina refining operations have not been affected by the Waroona bushfire. However, its Alcoa Farmlands business has sustained some damage as a result of the fire. The Farmlands offices, comprising two buildings, south of Hamel, have been destroyed and there has been some damage to fencing. The company said it was not aware of any livestock loss. An emergency bushfire warning for Waroona, south of Perth, was extended on Thursday after the situation worsened in the early hours, with the out-of-control blaze burning on both sides of the South Western Highway and authorities warning that homes were under threat. The fast-moving fire, which was sparked by a lightning strike early on Wednesday morning, had so far burnt 11,000 hectares, authorities...
Vedanta appoints Samir Cairae as India metals business CEO
Vedanta Resources plc's subsidiary Vedanta Limited has appointed Mr. Samir Cairae as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Diversified Metals (India). He will report to Mr. Tom Albanese, CEO, Vedanta Resources Plc and will be a member of Vedanta Executive Committee team. "We are delighted to have Samir on board and look forward to his extensive experience in delivering sustainable growth and creating long term value for our shareholders. Samir will provide operational and strategic leadership for the performance of Vedanta Limited's Aluminium, India Copper, Power, Iron Ore divisions in addition to Commercial and Asset optimization functions" said Mr. Tom Albanese, CEO, Vedanta Resources Plc. Prior to his appointment at Vedanta, Mr. Cairae held various leadership positions at Lafarge and...
ALBA achieves breakthrough record in aluminium production
Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba), one of the world’s leading aluminium smelters, achieved an all-time record when its metal production surged to 960,643 metric tonnes (mt) in 2015, up by 3.1% YoY as compared to 931,427 mt in 2014. To mark this landmark, a ceremony was held at HRH Princess Sabeeka Oasis on Wednesday, January 6, 2016. The event was attended by Alba’s Chief Executive, Tim Murray, Chief Operations Officer, Isa Al Ansari, Chief Financial Officer, Ali Al Baqali, Chief Marketing Officer, Khalid Abdullatif, Chairman of Alba Labour Union, Ali Al Binali, Chairman of Alba Trade Union, Mohammed Ali Makki, senior Alba officials and employees. Commenting on the Company’s production record, Alba’s Chief Executive, Tim Murray said: “Alba had another exceptional year in terms of...
LME aluminium may fall to $1,448
LME aluminium may break a support at $1,465 per tonne and fall more to the next support at $1,448, as the bounce from the Nov. 23 low of $1,432.50 could have completed. The completion has been suggested by the depth of the fall from the Dec. 24 high of $1,564. A Fibonacci retracement analysis on the downtrend from the Sept. 9 high of $1,655.50 to $1,432.50 reveals a support at $1,465, the 14.6 percent level. The support has temporarily held the fall. However, with aluminium having approached this barrier again, it has a better chance to break this level and fall more to the 7 percent retracement at $1,448. A further bounce from the current level may be limited to $1,485, the 23.6 percent retracement.
US shredded scrap prices remain flat; US aluminium scrap prices stay stable
United States shredded scrap prices remained flat during the week ended December 25, while major US aluminium scrap commodities weekly average prices on Scrap Register Price Index showed a flat trend. According to TSI, US Midwest weekly shredded index remained flat during the week at $170 a long ton (delivered mill). Participants have conflicting views on where the market will go in January, with some bullish outlooks seeing an uptick of as much as $20 a long ton. However, others foresee a lack of export activity keeping the market subdued and hence no significant movements are expected. The major aluminuim scrap commodities on the Scrap Register Price Index showed flat trend during the week. The weekly average scrap prices of Auto Wheels, 5052 Alum Clip, 6061 Alum Extrusion, 6063...
Rexam supports Metalman to launch first ever craft beer in cans
Rexam, a leading global can maker, has partnered with Irish craft brewer, Metalman, to launch the brand’s first ever range of canned beers; marking a move from traditional draught to a single serve in can. Designed by Rexam’s own creative team in the recently expanded Graphics and Design Centre, Luton, the colourful and unique cans were created for the brand’s Pale Ale, Equinox and Heat Sink beers. The stylish designs, heavily influenced by the brand’s passion for the Art Deco Movement, utilise the aluminium material of the can to neatly incorporate the Metalman logo. Gráinne Walsh, Managing Director for Metalman, comments, “We first met the Rexam team at Drinktec back in 2013 and were impressed with their approach to design and innovation. They visited our brewery shortly after and their...
India aluminium scrap prices remain stable; aluminium futures settle below INR 100/kg
India major aluminium scrap commodities prices remained stable on Tuesday, while aluminium futures prices at India's Multi Commodity Exchange settled lower as sentiment remained shaky over top consumer China's economy following slowing factory growth figures for December. The major aluminium scrap commodities stayed flat on Scrap Register Price Index as on Tuesday. 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 remained stable on Tuesday. The most active January aluminium contract on Multi Commodity Exchange settled down by 1.19% to INR 98.30 per kilogram on Tuesday from previous close of INR 98.85 per kilogram. The MXC aluminium prices...
JW Aluminum completes recapitalization to support strategic plans
JW Aluminum Company announced that on December 29, 2015, it closed on a new $90 million asset based revolving credit facility. Proceeds from the new facility were used to pay off previous revolving loans. This refinancing completed the recapitalization of JWA that began in November of 2015 with a change in ownership and a $120 million reduction in debt. The four and a half year facility provides improved liquidity and greater flexibility, enabling JWA to capitalize on favorable conditions in markets for continuous cast aluminium sheet and foil. “As a long term domestic producer, we are committed to delivering exceptional experiences to both our customers and suppliers. This recapitalization enhances our financial strength so we can continue to be a reliable resource in the flat rolled...
China fuels red boom in global bauxite trade
Malaysia is a small player in the global bauxite industry but strong demand from China has fuelled a red boom in the country. Bauxite is processed into aluminium oxide or alumina before being smelted to extract aluminium, which is used in all kinds of products ranging from packaging to aeroplanes. In 2013, Malaysia reportedly produced 208,770 tonnes of bauxite, a tiny figure compared to world leader Australia which produced 81 million tonnes. The following year saw a three-fold jump in Malaysia’s production to 962,799 tonnes, according to figures from the Minerals and Geoscience Department. Last year, Malaysia produced an estimated 20 million tonnes to overtake Australia as the biggest bauxite exporter to China. The staggering jump in production is partly to fill a void left by Indonesia...
Orbite Technologies ships additional 5N+ alpha high purity alumina samples
Orbite Technologies Inc. today announces it has shipped additional high purity alumina (HPA) samples to prospective customers. Of the samples shipped, one was gamma crystalline-phase HPA, production of which could enable Orbite to target a broader, higher-volume customer base. Following positive feedback from test results on previously shipped samples (see April 7, 2015, September 10, 2015 and October 15, 2015 press releases respectively), one of the prospective customers requested an additional and larger sample for the production of end-products using Orbite's HPA for qualification further down the supply chain. "The use of Orbite HPA samples in end products is an important milestone in our progress through various supplier qualification programmes," stated Glenn Kelly, CEO of Orbite....
2018 Rolls-Royce range going aluminium; on-road testing begins
The first Rolls-Royce to be underpinned by an aluminium spaceframe platform will appear in 2018, the British luxury marque has confirmed. As revealed in February last year, that new model will come in the form of an SUV - or, as Rolls-Royce described it at the time, “a high-bodied car”. The new SUV will compete with the Bentley Bentayga, although Rolls-Royce would be loathe to recognise anything with wheels as a rival. “Our competitors are actually your yachts, your jets, fine arts,” the company’s design director, Giles Taylor, told CarAdvice in September. In a statement today, the company said that on-road testing of the new platform is now underway, which suggests that earlier photos of a high-riding development mule may have been testing other aspects of the new model. The British...
Aluminium may trade 97-101.4 range, support at 98
Aluminium settled down -1.49% at 98.85 tracking weakness from LME aluminium which ended down 2.2 percent at $1,473, having hit a month low earlier at $1,464 despite news that Malaysia is pushing to suspend bauxite mining due to concerns about its impact on the environment, threatening to interrupt supply of the aluminium-making ingredient to China. Earlier lastweek aluminium gained after two separate indicators of manufacturing in China showed factory activity in contracted again, pointing to faltering demand. The downturn came after China's official purchasing managers index stayed in contraction for the fifth straight month in December according to Friday's data, while a separate private index of manufacturing out Monday also showed a decline, posting a weaker-than expected level of...
