Indonesian Aluminium: The shift from mining to smelting
Indonesia is pitched as the next big Asian aluminium hub as the country has released an expansive alumina and aluminium expansion plan, based on the abundant bauxite resource in the country. China has exhausted its aluminium capacity cap and is unlikely to raise installed capacity significantly in the coming years. Additionally, geopolitical conflicts, sanctions, and tariffs have made much of global aluminium capacity inaccessible and vulnerable. This includes Russian aluminium and the Gulf output, along with restricted and costly access to Canadian aluminium for the US smelters. The already tight supply conditions have been made worse after the Iran-Israel-US war that disrupted the Gulf aluminium capacity. Under current supply conditions, India and Indonesia will play a critical role in...
Germany’s automotive industry drives 32.8% of aluminium consumption as EV production rises 23%, led by Volkswagen, BMW & Mercedes-Benz
Germany’s automobile industry is a major part of the country’s aluminium story, with the metal used in everything from vehicle body panels and chassis components to battery enclosures and electric-drive systems. As automakers develop lighter vehicles and expand their electric models, aluminium has become an important material across the manufacturing process. Germany’s automotive industry consumes around 950,000 tonnes of aluminium annually, accounting for a substantial share of the wider transport sector’s demand. In 2025, Germany’s total aluminium consumption stood at approximately 2.9 million tonnes, with the transport sector accounting for 1.35 million tonnes, representing 46 per cent of the total. This extensive use of aluminium in transport mirrors its importance to the global...
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Rexam creates 990 designs for Baltika #3 Russian beer limited collection
Rexam has collaborated with Baltika #3, one of Russia’s most popular beer brands, to create 990 different can designs for a first of its kind limited collection. Using Rexam’s patent pending Editions™ technology, the design project, completed in just three days, is the largest undertaken by Rexam to date. The stand out 50cl cans display names of 990 different Russian cities printed on an identical urban skyline graphic. The efficient formatting of the designs onto cans was made possible by using new software installed as part of the recent investment in Rexam’s Moscow Design Centre. Rexam’s Editions™ technology allowed for 24 different Russian city names to be printed simultaneously on one pallet. The innovative campaign, running until December, aims to promote Russian patriotism and...
China A356 aluminum alloy operating rate falls in September
Operating rate at 15 Chinese A356 aluminum alloy producers dropped to 58.50% in September, Shanghai Metals Market survey found. Output at these producers also fell to 105,300 tonnes, SMM survey showed. Lower profit from tumbling aluminum prices discouraged SMEs from production. Large producers, on the other hand, maintained normal operation.
China aluminum FRP operating rate to fall more sharply in October
The average operating rate at Chinese aluminum plate, sheet, strip and foil producers will fall more sharply in October after a slight decline in September, SMM foresees. SMM bases its prediction on the fact that demand is not strong in October, the traditional high-demand period. The rate was 56.72% at those surveyed by SMM in in September, down slightly from 57.61% in August, due mainly to weakening domestic and overseas demand.
VJIKKS ENGG POWER bags alumina ceramic lining repeat order
Malaysia's Vjikks Engg Power (M) Sdn. Bhd. has successfully ventured into the alumina ceramic wear resistant lining industry by applying its years' of experience in the power sector. Equipped with a team of personnel with strong process knowledge about every system in a conventional fossil fuel fired power plants including combined cycle gas turbine power plants, Vjikks Engg Power had boldly and successfully implemented a project in the balloon manufacturing industry, back in 2013. Everts (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, the only balloon manufacturing industry in Malaysia, placed order on Vjikks Engg Power (M) Sdn. Bhd. to do alumina ceramic lining in one of the ball mills used to mix titanium dioxide. Vjikks Engg Power had successfully executed the job. After having experienced good performance for...
IMO Sub-Committee on CCC updates on carriage of bauxite that may liquefy
At a recent meeting of the IMO Sub-Committee on the Carriage of Cargoes and Containers (CCC), submissions from the lost bulk carrier’s flag state, the Bahamas, were considered. Although the cargo had been declared as a Group C cargo under the IMSBC Code, the vessel’s flag state advised that the loss of the vessel may have been caused by liquefaction of the cargo. In January 2015 the Club had alerted its members to concerns involving the carriage of bauxite cargoes from Malaysia following the loss of a 10 year old bulk carrier, where it was suspected that the cargo was the most likely cause of the casualty. Proposals made by Australia and co-sponsors in relation to the properties of bauxite cargoes, and the need for these to be examined further were also considered. Pending ongoing...
Update: South32 reports 10 percent increase in alumina output in Q1
South32 has reported a 10 percent jump in first quarter alumina output after maintenance work was completed in Australia. Production in the three months to September 30 was 1.36 million metric tons, from 1.24 million tons a year earlier, when the assets were operated by BHP, the Perth-based company said in a statement. South32 forecasts it will cut costs by 25 percent this fiscal year. Aluminum output from South Africa is forecast to decline marginally in fiscal 2016 should some temporary suspensions and current markets prevail, it said in the statement. “We continue to take decisive action to maximize financial performance, rather than volume,” Chief Executive Officer Graham Kerr said in the statement. Producers including Glencore Plc and Freeport-McMoRan Inc. are trimming output of...
Alba appoints a new Manager for regional sales office in United States
Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba), one of the leading aluminium smelters in the world, announced the appointment of Patrick Hudson as the new Sales Manager for its regional sales office in United States - Alba Americas. Patrick will be responsible to oversee the growth and development of Alba’s product portfolio within the US markets. He will be based in Atlanta, Georgia, and report directly to Alba’s Chief Marketing Officer, Khalid Abdul Latif. Commenting on the appointment of Patrick Alba’s Chief Marketing Officer, Khalid Abdul Latif said: “Alba Americas represents our commitment to expand our presence in the US market. I congratulate Patrick on his new appointment, and I am confident that he will demonstrate same level of dedication and excellence he has shown in his previous...
Ma’aden "ARABAL 2015" attracts attention of global aluminium companies: 15 sponsors and 42 exhibitors on board
The Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Ma’aden) announced the participation of 15 sponsors in the Arab International Aluminium Conference and Exhibition (ARABAL 2015), hosted by the company on November 15-17 in the Dhahran International Exhibition Center. Senior industry figures are scheduled to speak at this premier global aluminium event, the largest in the Gulf region. The conference will also include the participation of 35 exhibitors in the exhibition accompanying the conference which highlights the major developments in the global aluminium industry, with a review of the latest updates on regional aluminium sector investments. Ma’aden is currently doing intensive preparations to insure the success of this conference, which has broad interest to those involved in the aluminium industry,...
Hydro’s Recycling Head named to European Aluminium post
Roland Scharf-Bergmann, Head of Recycling in Hydro's Primary Metal business, has been elected chairman of the Recycling Division of European Aluminium by the organization’s General Assembly. European Aluminium represents the interests of the entire value chain of the aluminium industry in Europe. It works to promote aluminium, especially with European Union decision-makers and other important stakeholders. The Recycling Division is responsible for market and policy monitoring of recycling activities. “It is a great honor to be elected the third time to chair European Aluminium’s Recycling Division that comes with the dissolution of OEA – Organisation of the European Aluminium recycling industry – and its full integration into European Aluminium,” Scharf-Bergmann says. “The main focus for...
Australian Bauxite finally gets EFIC finance facility
Australian Bauxite Ltd has concluded a finance facility with EFIC, Australias export credit agency. The facility will provide Australian Bauxite financial assistance to meet transport costs associated with its initial bauxite shipments. Ian Levy, CEO at Australian Bauxite, said: "Efics facility will enable Australian Bauxite to apply its cash reserves toward accelerated production following the unseasonal harsh winter. Warmer spring weather conditions are allowing our team to catch up lost winter production." "Shipping tenders have been received and the contract is about to be placed," he added. With this advancement, Australian Bauxite is now in a position to commence production at their first mine site. The company has a pipeline for development of bauxite deposits in Tasmania,...
The Automotive Lightweight Procurement Symposium to open its doors soon in Detroit
At this year North America Automotive Lightweight Procurement Symposium you have the chance to listen and interchange with executive speakers and delegates from the aluminum, magnesium, steel & composite industry. Lightweighting, supply chain and procurement management will be the main theme and localization, best buy country and make or buy are some of the topics to be presented. OEMs will express their needs & expectations from the supplier and technology as well as lightweighting side while Tiers will showcase their leading weight reduction solutions, joining technologies, material and process hybrid components. "Lightweight Transmissions & Driveline Components - Practical Challenges" is the subject of Mr Renneker`s (Chief Engineer, New A/T Programs & Component – Transmission &...
AEC Files Scope Clarification and Circumvention Case against China Zhongwang Holdings Ltd
The Aluminum Extruders Council (AEC) filed a petition against China Zhongwang Holdings Ltd. alleging the company has systematically and illegally evaded duties on aluminum extrusions imported into the United States. The alleged scheme involves hundreds of millions of pounds of aluminum extrusions that are simply cut and welded into aluminum slabs. Upon entering the U.S. these extrusions are being identified as ‘pallets’ even though the testimony the Council has gathered makes it clear the sole purpose of these extrusions is to re-melt them back into billets. “In late July, the AEC released a statement to the press calling on the United States Government, as well as others identified in the Dupre Analytics report, to investigate issues of transshipment and circumvention by Zhongwang. We...
Montupet Bulgarian unit hopes to resume output at halted line
French producer of cast aluminium parts for the automotive industry Montupet hopes that the Bulgarian authorities will reconsider their decision to stop one of its production lines in the Balkan country, Bloomberg has reported. The regional environment inspectorate in the Bulgarian city of Ruse, on the Danube river, ordered Montupet EOOD last month to halt immediately the operation of its Carousel 1 aluminium casting installation suspected as a source of excessive air pollution. Montupet EOOD, part of Montupet SA group, has lost the appeal of the decision for an immediate production halt. The stoppage, in force since September 25, has cut the plant’s output by as much as 15% percent and caused delivery delays to clients, Didier Crozet, co-executive managing director at Montupet EOOD, has...
AMI Metals to provide aluminium flat rolled material for F-35
Tennessee-based AMI Metals, a subsidiary of Reliance Steel & Aluminum, has secured a contract worth around $300m from Lockheed Martin to provide aluminium flat rolled material for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. The multi-year deal covers the value-added, just-in-time, cut-to-size and cut-to-shape processing of aluminium plate to meet all F-35 aluminium flat rolled requirements. AMI Metals president Scott A. Smith said: "We are proud of our long-term relationship with Lockheed Martin and of our ability to assist them going forward with the aluminium products and services needed for the manufacture of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter military aircraft. "AMI Metals and Lockheed Martin have worked together for the past 30 years on numerous programs that have resulted in on-time delivery of high...
Packaging recovery data shows improvement for aluminium
Packaging waste recovery data for the third quarter of 2015 shows that reported aluminium packaging recycling has recorded its highest ever quarterly performance at 23,330 tonnes, according to figures released by the Environment Agency. According to the Aluminium Packaging Recycling Organisation (Alupro), the Q3 figures are the direct result of adjustments made to the accreditation process, following lower than expected tonnages in Q1 and Q2, and increasing volumes of aluminium packaging recovered from incinerator bottom ash (IBA) being reported through the system. An estimated 18,800 tonnes is required in the final quarter to achieve the 2015 recycling target. Rick Hindley, executive director of Alupro said: “Alupro has consistently advocated streamlining the reprocessor/exporter...
Govt of India may double aluminium import duty to 10%
The government of India is considering a move to double 5 per cent import duty on aluminium in a bid to salvage Rs 1.2 lakh crore of bank-financed capex investments by domestic players like Vedanta and Hindalco, and protect the 7.5 lakh jobs jeopardized by cheap imports that have captured well over half the market. Layoffs and plant shutdowns are already underway and more job cuts are on the anvil with the industry operating at just 49 per cent capacity in 2014-15 amid a sharp slump in global commodity prices that has brought aluminium prices down 30 per cent in three years. Warning of an adverse impact on the Modi government's 'Make in India' drive if this trend continues, CEOs of aluminium producing companies have sought an urgent intervention from finance minister Arun Jaitley,...
Half of world’s aluminium smelters not profitable, price could fall below $1 200/t
About half of the world’s aluminium smelters were not profitable, and continued price pressure would force more smelters offline in the face of a price that could fall as low as $1 200/t, a report by BofA Merrill Lynch Global Research has found. Aluminium prices had continued trading lower in recent weeks, falling below $1 500/t on Thursday. “In our view, the recent dynamic is testament to the ongoing challenging fundamental backdrop. This has perhaps been most visible in the reluctance of China’s aluminium producers to curtail output; in fact, partially supported by subsidies, the country’s smelters have increasingly delivered into the deficits created by production discipline from smelters in [the rest of the world],” the global commodities research team reported. BofA believed that...
Aluminium futures rise, fuelled by global cues
Aluminium prices were up 0.90 per cent to INR 95.35 per kg in futures trade today as participants strengthened their exposure, supported by an upward trend overseas. In addition, rising demand in the spot market influenced metal prices. At the Multi Commodity Exchange, aluminium for delivery in the current month edged up 85 paise, or 0.90 per cent, to INR 95.35 per kg in a business turnover of 4,593 lots. Likewise, the metal for delivery in November traded marginally higher by 80 paise, or 0.83 per cent, to INR 97.10 per kg in a turnover of 763 lots. Marketmen said besides increased domestic demand, a firming global trend in base metals mainly influenced prices in futures trade.
