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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Orbite announces Q3 2015 results and provides update on HPA construction
Orbite Technologies Inc. announced the filing of its Consolidated Interim Financial Statements for the third quarter ended September 30, 2015. The company reported a loss before net finance income and taxes of $2.5 million as compared to $2.4 million for the same period in 2014. Due to a decrease in non-cash-net finance income, the net loss was $2.1 million for the third quarter, as compared to a net loss of $0.2 million for the same period in 2014. As at September 30, 2015t. The company also reported a working capital of $4.6 million. Third Quarter and Subsequent Events Highlights: - Announced the collaboration with the National Research Council on HPA benchmarking for lithium-ion batteries. - Shipped first 5N+ HPA samples to prospective customers. - Received notice of allowance for...
Second Aluminum Corp. industrial syngas plant enters commissioning phase
The second of three previously announced natural gas replacement projects licensed by Tianwo-SES Clean Energy Technologies Company Joint Venture in China and under construction for Aluminum Corporation of China Ltd has entered the commissioning phase. Members of Synthesis Energy Systems’ Zao Zhuang New Gas Company Joint Venture are onsite at the new facility, located in Xing County, Shanxi Province, to support the commissioning and startup. Initial syngas production from Shanxi's single SES Gasification Technology (SGT) system is expected to commence later this month. "I am pleased to see continued progress at all three CHALCO projects. The Shanxi project is proceeding as planned and progress continues at the Zibo City facility, which is currently operating at full capacity during its...
Alcoa to scrap old ship to curtail cost amid mounting aluminium market challenges
Leading aluminium producer Aloca plans to decommission MV Portland, the ship used until now for domestic supply chain. Citing the parlous state of aluminium industry, the company said it was a strategic decision ahead of 2017, when operating life of Portand comes to an end. Cost to keep it operational would mean Alcoa will have to pump in millions of dollars. For the company, which announced to idle three smelters in the United States on November 2, doing that will be rather illogical even if that means taking on Australian labour unions and governmental authorities. "The global aluminium industry is facing very challenging market conditions," an Alcoa spokesman notes. "In Australia, our focus is on reducing operating costs and improving productivity to help all our facilities remain...
Nanocoatings boost corrosion resistance of aluminum alloys
Iranian researchers from Tarbiat Modares University carried out a research to increase the resistance of alloys, and they succeeded in the production of laboratorial nanocoatings with desirable properties such as high corrosion and abrasion resistance. A nanocoating was produced in this research to protect alloys. To this end, surface nanocrystalline pre-process has been used through plasma electrolyte oxidation (PEO) or microsparkle oxidation method. Microsparkle oxidation is a surface process that has been widely used in recent years. Taking into consideration the fact that microsparkle oxidation process highly depends on the microstructure of the substrate, it seems that the nano-crystallization of aluminum alloy surface significantly affects the properties of the produced coating....
Apex Aluminum expanding operations
Business is growing for Apex Aluminum Die Casting in Piqua to the point where they are needing to expand operations and add new jobs to keep up. “We’re going to need at least 40 (new employees),” Pat Zimmerman, president, said. The positions include operators on the floor as well as some skilled spots, quality positions, supervistory positions, and so on. “Our Operations Manager, Sara Ryan … selected Staffmark to do the staffing,” Zimmerman said. Zimmerman later added, “It’s a big step for us adding them and again, finding folks is getting harder to do.” Apex had originally been doing the hiring themselves, but they were not getting enough people through the door. “That’s been a a big change for us,” Zimmerman said about Staffmark. “It’s working out well so far.” They currently boast...
Andhra Pradesh Cabinet to take final call on bauxite mining
Despite a Government Order having been issued for resumption of bauxite mining in forest land in Visakhapatnam district, a final decision on it will be taken at an Andhra Pradesh Cabinet meeting next week, state Minister Ganta Srinivasa Rao today said. "Though GO 97 (for resumption of bauxite mining in Vizag agency) has been issued, the government will respect the sentiments and feelings of the locals and take a decision on bauxite mining at the Cabinet meeting on November 16," the Human Resources Development minister told reporters here. TDP government is committed to the development of the tribal people in the region and would consider the voice of the locals vis-a-vis bauxite mining in the agency areas, he assured. Blaming former chief minister late YS Rajasekhara Reddy for pushing...
North American Aluminum scrap prices declined on index
The North American Aluminum scrap prices declined on ScrapMonster Price Index as on November 11th, Wednesday. 1100 Scrap prices declined by $0.01 per Lb. The prices of 3003 Scrap too fell $0.01 per Lb. A down move of $0.01 per Lb was witnessed in 356 Aluminum Wheels and 6061 Extrusions. Meantime, 5052 Scrap prices held steady. 6063 Extrusions and 6063 Extrusions/Fe declined by $0.01 per Lb over the previous day. The prices of Al/Cu Radiators and Al/Cu Radiators/Fe remained flat over the previous day. Aluminum Radiators and Aluminum Radiators/Fe prices went down by $0.01 per Lb. Aluminum Transformer prices held steady on Nov 11th. Breakage 50% Recovery prices too dropped marginally by $0.01 per Lb. Chrome Wheels and MLC Clips prices dropped by $0.01 per Lb. E.C Aluminum Wire prices too...
EGA to discuss regional industry dynamics and innovation at ARABAL 2015
Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) will meet with leading industry professionals at the upcoming Arab International Aluminium Conference (ARABAL) which takes place from 15 to 17 November in Dammam, Saudi Arabia. The premium trade event within the Middle East aluminium sector, ARABAL provides a platform for regional produceINR to engage in topical discussions and strengthen industry ties. This year, ARABAL will focus on the integration of the aluminium upstream and downstream sectoINR in the GCC, with EGA representatives among the line-up of speakers. Abdulla Kalban (MD & CEO) will participate in the opening industry keynote panel on "The prospects for the GCC aluminium sector", exploring the opportunities for the downstream sector in particular. Later in the programme Dr Ali Al Zarouni...
US aluminum producers concerned over China’s output
Tensions continue to mount among US producers of aluminum over the rise of imports from China. Despite weak commodity demand, Chinese producers continue to feed the production glut. As a consequence, aluminium prices are at their lowest levels in six years. Recently, Aluminium Corporation of China announced its plans to not shutdown a smelter, after it was able to secure a deal for lower electricity prices from the local government. It is apparent that Chinese production will not be hindered by low production prices, any time soon. US producers blame China for low prices. They contend that the continuous increase in aluminium supply is the primary driver behind depressed prices. Century Aluminum Co. has tried to reduce supply through cuts in its production, however Chinese counterparts...
China’s aluminium exports flood market, keep prices low
China’s surging exports of aluminium are becoming as contentious as its fast-rising shipments of steel as prices of the metal used in cars to beverage cans continue to hover just above their six-year low. Despite a dip last month, China’s aluminium exports are up 14.4 per cent so far this year, according to official data, as companies there take advantage of their ability to produce at a lower cost than international rivals to seize market share. While major aluminium companies like US-based Alcoa have cut production this year, Chinese output has risen by 18 per cent year to date, according to the International Aluminium Institute, a supply flood that has helped keep prices depressed. Benchmark three-month aluminium futures were trading at around $US1492 a tonne on the London Metal...
NALCO Q2 net profit declines 34% to INR 226.14 crore
The state-run aluminium maker NALCO today reported a 33.78 per cent decline in its net profit to INR 226.14 crore for the quarter ended September 30. The National Aluminium Company (NALCO), a Navratana CPSE under the administrative control of Ministry of Mines, had clocked a net profit of INR 341.52 crore in the year-ago period, it said in a BSE filing. The total income of the aluminium producer fell by 9.04 per cent to INR 1,815.11 crore in July-September quarter of the current fiscal against INR 1,995.52 crore in the same quarter of 2014-15. Total expenses of the company during the quarter under review fell to INR 1,583.06 crore from INR 1,624.98 crore in the year-ago period. Net sales, of the Bhubaneswar-based firm from aluminium, fell to 1,150.58 crore in the September quarter of...
EAFA (European Aluminium Foil Association) organizes a conference during the SITEVI exhibition in Montpellier, France
For the first time, the EAFA (European Aluminium Foil Association) is organising a conference in France that will take place on 25 November during the SITEVI exhibition in Montpellier. The conference entitled ‘Turn 360° and discover the benefits of aluminium closures’ will cover a broad spectrum including some fascinating information about aluminium closures as well as market information, consumer preferences and sustainability insights. At the end of the presentation, attendees will have the chance to taste some different wines which use aluminium closures and to exchange views with the panel and other members of the EAFA. The event will take place on Wednesday 25 November 2015, 15.30 - 17.00, Hall B5, Salle 5, Parc des Expositions, Montpellier. Several industry experts will offer their...
Antifungal aluminium surface help improve air quality produced by air-conditioners
Korean engineers have shown that a specially-designed aluminium surface could help improve the air quality produced by air-conditioning units. The issue is that aluminium – which most commercial evaporators are made from – isn’t inherently antimicrobial, so requires careful and frequent cleaning to minimise contamination. Other metals such as copper, silver, or titanium are anti-microbial but are also significantly higher in cost than aluminium, rendering them impractical for widespread use. But a recent paper in Materials Letters reports on a coated aluminium surface that obstructs the adhesion and spreading of microbes. The idea is based on superhydrophobicity – whereby a rough surface provides a low-energy surface that water cannot stick to. Given the importance of water to the...
Aluminium in offshore may include subsea projects in future
Aluminium solutions can help the offshore industry bring their products to the next level in weight savings, low maintenance and fire resistance. The future might include subsea projects as well, says Sebastian Henrion of Royal Boskalis. At the recent Offshore Energy Exhibition & Conference in Amsterdam, Sapa brought its offshore and marine experts to discuss extruded aluminium solutions in offshore applications. Interestingly, in a turbulent and challenging year for the offshore industry, the two-day exhibition actually grew in comparison with last year, thereby illustrating that the industry is continuing to concentrate on the technical, operational and commercial challenges associated with future sector growth. Today, Sapa develops solutions for temporary living quarters, gratings,...
Brazil breaks aluminium recycling record
Brazil, the world's biggest collector of aluminium cans, broke its own record for recycling the material in 2014, the Brazilian Aluminium Association, or Abal, said. The numbers can be attributed to the rising costs of energy and the fragility of an economy plagued by recession and accelerating inflation, Abal said. Energy costs for industries have risen, making the production of primary aluminium more expensive and, in turn, driving the metal's recycling rate up to 98.4 percent, or 1.3 percentage points more than in 2013, when a record was set. During the 12 months ending March 31, the cost of energy in Brazil increased 60 percent, the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics, or IBGE, said. "aluminium production migrates to where energy is cheaper and, unfortunately, we are going...
Scientists develop an ultra-hard glass made using alumina
Scientists in Japan have developed an ultra-hard glass made using alumina. The new material is thin as well as hard and is made using alumina, an oxide of aluminium. If successfully commercialised, it could increase the durability of glass used in the windows of buildings, cars and in smartphone displays. The team from the University of Tokyo and Japan's Synchrotron Radiation Research Institute have published their findings in Scientific Reports journal. The material belongs to a category known as oxide glasses, which mainly consist of silicon dioxide - but with their strength boosted by alumina. However, attempts to increase the amount of alumina have faltered in the past because it would cause the mixture to crystallise when it came into contact with the sides of its container,...
Orbite selected in TOP 20 most innovative public technology companies
Orbite Technologies Inc., announced that the selection committee of the Canadian Innovation Exchange (CIX), made up of technology experts and investors from across the country, has selected Orbite as a TOP 20 public technology innovator. Hundreds of company profiles were reviewed and the TOP 20 were chosen based on a number of key factors including product/service offering, depth of management, market opportunity, and business model. Companies selected in the TOP 20 will be celebrated at the CIX Public Investor Day on November 18, an important new event launched by the organizers of CIX, now in its 8th year, and Stockhouse. Orbite's Glenn Kelly will present at the event held at the MaRS Discovery District, 101 College Street, Toronto, ON, and the Company will also host a booth. "We are...
Metro Mining’s Bauxite Hills Project aims to meet growing global demand for bauxite, particularly in China
Metro Mining's Bauxite Hills Project is located 5km south-east of the port at Skardon River and 95km north of Weipa in Western Cape Rock, North Queensland, Australia. The project is proposed to be developed with an estimated investment of A$33.9m (approximately $24m). The pre-feasibility study (PFS) for the bauxite project was completed in February 2015, while the definitive feasibility study (DFS) was completed in November. The regulatory approvals are expected to be granted in late 2016, construction is scheduled to start in early 2017 and first production is anticipated in late 2017. The project is estimated to produce 1.95 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) of direct shipping ore (DSO) bauxite during its estimated production life of approximately 27 years. A scoping study for an improved...
