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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Stricter rules on bauxite mining planned in Terengganu, Malaysia
Government of Terengganu, the sultanate and constitutive state of federal Malaysia, intends to be more stringent on bauxite mining to prevent environmental pollution, Menteri Besar Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman said recently. He said new conditions on mining permits would be announced after the state executive council had discussed and finalised them. “Miners who flout the new rules will be severely dealt with,” he said after a lantern festival programme at Sura Gate here last night. Ahmad Razif said bauxite mining was carried out on private land and enforcement was conducted round-the-clock, including against firms operating in Pahang that used and damaged roads in Terengganu and which had drawn the ire of the people. “The new measures are necessary to curb pollution and prevent damage to...
Indian aluminium industry officials to meet Revenue Secretary on safeguard duty
Indian aluminium industry officials are set to meet Revenue Secretary Hasmukh Adhia this week and pitch for a safeguard duty on the lines of one on steel products in a bid to check cheap imports from China and the Middle-East. Following the imposition of 20 per cent provisional safeguard duty on steel products by the government, industry body Aluminium Association India (AAI) is readying its case for a similar duty, sources said. The association is collating data for all primary and rolled products to strengthen its case and its members are slated to meet the Revenue Secretary next week, they added. Last month, the association members -- Vedanta Group CEO Tom Albanese, Hindalco Deputy Managing Director D Satish Pai and Nalco CMD T K Chand -- met Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and urged him...
Ball-Rexam deal may increase price of aluminium cans and bottles
Ball has allegedly received a statement of objections (SO) from competition watchdogs over its deal with Rexam, warning it may increase the price of aluminum cans and bottles. Ball agreed to buy Rexam for $6.7bn in February this year, which is one of the biggest takeovers in metal and glass packaging, according to Bloomberg. It has to get regulatory clearances to close the deal during the first half of 2016. Acquisition to close in 2016 In response, Ball confirmed it had taken note of the European Commission's provisional objections and concerns as outlined in the SO. "Ball values the insight which the SO brings on the on-going EU regulatory process,” Ball said in a statement to FE Investegate. “It is the view of Ball the concerns raised in the SO allow the parties to develop the...
Constellium-UACJ joint venture to start mid-2016
The $150 million Constellium/UACJ Corp. joint venture under construction at the 4,000-acre Kentucky Transpark is 80 percent complete and on schedule, said Markus Wild, chief executive officer. The first 300-meter-long production line at the 225,000-square foot aluminum facility should be operational by mid-2016, Wild told the Daily News on Friday. Employment at the site is currently about 40 workers, and that number is expected to increase to 80 at full production. There could be 70 employees within several months. The number of employees could expand even more if a second line locates here. Constellium, a Netherlands company that is partnering with Japanese aluminum company UACJ, is looking to establish a second production line in the United States. That expansion has a good chance of...
Glencore - Queensland Govt's preferred developer for Aurukun bauxite mine
A consortium seeking to mine rich bauxite deposits in Aurukun, in far north Queensland, is urging the State Government to reconsider its bid, amid growing uncertainty about Glencore's future. Glencore is the Government's preferred developer but the multinational's share price plunged 30 per cent over debt concerns earlier this week and despite a rebound, it is still down 70 per cent since the start of the year. Analysts predict the Swiss-based resources giant may shelve projects. The Aurukun Bauxite Development (ABD) consortium, including some traditional owners, lost out to Glencore. ABD chairman Nick Stump said its bid was still financially sound. "We'd have to see a change in the attitude from the State Government here," he said. Treasurer Curtis Pitt said the Government had no plans...
Alba announces new Chief Marketing Officer
Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba), one of the world’s leading aluminium smelters, announced the official appointment of Khalid Abdul Latif as Chief Marketing Officer following the Alba Board of Directors Meeting, which was held on Wednesday, September 30, 2015 at Alba. Khalid Abdul Latif will lead the Company’s global marketing strategies to drive innovation across Alba’s business divisions. Speaking on the occasion, Alba’s Chief Executive Officer Tim Murray said: “Khalid’s appointment reflects Alba’s commitment to develop Bahraini nationals from within the Company into key leadership positions. He has a right mix of marketing and operational experience to stimulate our existing business and develop new markets. I am confident that Khalid will steer Alba’s global marketing strategy to meet...
ICSOBA Conference and Exhibition to be held in Dubai from 29 Nov - 1 Dec
The 33rd ICSOBA Conference and Exhibition will take place in the Rotana Al Murooj hotel in Dubai, UAE in the period of 29 November - 1 December. For the event ICSOBA (International Committee for Study of Bauxite, Alumina and Aluminium) cooperates with Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), the jointly-held, equal-ownership company integrating the businesses of Dubai Aluminium (DUBAL) and Emirates Aluminium (EMAL). Technical field trips to DUBAL smelter (Dubai) and EMAL Smelter (Abu Dhabi) will take place on November 29, 2015. ICSOBA was established in 1963 and is an independent non-profit association that unites industry professionals representing major bauxite, alumina and aluminium producing companies, technology suppliers, researchers and consultants from around the world. As ICSOBA travels...
Audi uses special aluminum alloys in its all new A8 L Security sedan
One of the quieter, more subtle reveals of the recent Frankfurt Motor Show, the A8 L Security sedan debuted as Audi's most secure car ever. It leaps two levels beyond its predecessor and packs enough reinforcements to survive armor-piercing assault rifle fire and hand grenade explosions. Last year, Mercedes introduced its VR9-certified Mercedes-Benz S600 Guard, and now Audi is meeting the same benchmark with its luxury flagship. The black A8 makes an appropriately stately but low-profile platform for an armored package. Audi has built the unitary occupant safety cell up from lightweight but high-strength materials including aramide fabric, special aluminum alloys and hot-formed armor steel. That gives it full VR9-level protection, which in layman's terms, means it can withstand fire from...
Aluminium futures rise on positive global cues
Aluminium prices were up 0.73 per cent to INR 103.20 per kg in futures trade today as participants strengthened their positions, supported by an upward trend in base metals pack overseas. Besides, firm demand at the spot market also influenced metal prices. At the Multi Commodity Exchange, aluminium for delivery in the current month edged up 75 paise, or 0.73 per cent, to INR 103.20 per kg in a business turnover of 464 lots. Also, the metal for delivery in November was trading up 65 paise, or 0.63 per cent higher, at INR 104.30 per kg in a turnover of 4 lots. Marketmen said, apart from increased domestic demand, a firming global trend in base metals after China's official factory gauge stabilised around a three-year low, showing signs of manufacturing recovery in the world's largest...
Sohar Aluminium rolls out Fresh Graduate Programme
As part of its commitment to developing local talent, Sohar Aluminium (SA) has launched the company’s inaugural Fresh Graduate Programme to give selected high achieving young Omani students an intensive training and may become SA’s future Engineers. The programme is open to Engineering Bachelor degree holders in the disciplines of Mechanical, Electrical, Mechatronic, Chemical, Civil or Computer Science who have completed their education in 2014 or 2015. SA’s existing employees who have recently completed their undergraduate education can equally apply to the programme. Said bin Mohammed al Masoudi, CEO of Sohar Aluminium, said, “We are proud to introduce a course tailor-made for young and ambitious Omanis who are looking for an opportunity to work for one of the Sultanate’s leading...
Heathrow Terminal 2 receives UK’s largest aluminium outdoor advertising screens
UK-based aluminium structures manufacturer Boldman and AJAR-tec have successfully installed the UK's largest outdoor advertising screens for advertising at Heathrow Terminal 2. Deployed at the Terminal 2 building facade, at departure level, the screens are used for advertising to 55,000 passengers travelling through the terminal each day. The screens were manufactured and installed by Boldman and AJAR-tec is the contractor responsible for project management and electrical works at the airport. The 11.5m by 4.8m screens weigh 4.8t each and were constructed out of a lightweight aluminium profile system comprising of 180 individual panels separately mounted to the aluminium frame. As part of the structural installation criteria, weight and wind tolerances were calculated and tested before...
Sapa delivering top quality in China - and safely
Sapa Group President & CEO Egil Hogna has had his first look at the company's operations in China, the largest aluminium extrusion market in the world. The focus on quality as well as on employee safety left its mark on Sapa’s new chief executive. Hogna visited the fabrication plant north of Shanghai, the extrusion and aluminium facility in Suzhou, and the 50/50 joint venture company Sapa Chalco Aluminium Products, which is located in Chongqing. “Global companies prefer to deal with us because they know we deliver higher quality and that we have the highest standards when it comes to safety, human resources policy and compliance,” says Hogna, referring to Sapa’s work in China. As an example, he points out that the Shanghai plant has an injury rate of 1.9 per million hours worked – a...
Rexam to showcase latest innovations at Brau Beviale
November 2015 sees Rexam return to Brau Beviale (Hall 4A - Stand 115) to showcase our latest innovations. With new products on show and an interactive corner for exploring the recently expanded Graphics & Design Centre; customer collaboration, innovation and sustainability will be the key themes on the Rexam stand this year. For the third consecutive year, Rexam will be the headline sponsor of the World Beverage Innovation Awards, further highlighting the can makers dedication and support of innovation. Iain Percival, Sector Director for Rexam Europe, will address guests at the annual prize giving ceremony, held at the show. Commenting on Rexam’s presence at Brau, Percival says, “All good relationships are founded on trust, and at Rexam it’s a key component in our partnerships with...
Ford spotted testing new aluminum-bodied Expedition
Ford's launching of the new aluminum-bodied F-150 stands to be a game-changer in its own right, but it's only the tip of the proverbial iceberg. The F-150's aluminum construction has already to a new Super Duty and soon to a new Raptor, but a new Expedition looks to be in the works, as well. Tipped to debut alongside a new Lincoln Navigator sometime in 2017 as a 2018 model, the new Expedition is anticipated to borrow heavily from the F-150 on which it's based. Combine that with EcoBoost engines and the new Expedition, as large as it will be, stands to offer serious fuel economy savings over the outgoing model, and allow for more hauling capability in the process. The styling looks set to take its cues from the F-150 and Super Duty, but with a four-door, squared-off body style. The new...
Ball opens aluminium aerosol can plant in India
Ball Corporation today opened an aluminum aerosol can plant in India, located in the northwest city of Ahmedabad. With this new plant, Ball will meet the region's increasing demand, and continue the company's Drive for 10 vision of entering into new geographic regions and remaining close to customers. Multiple sales contracts are in place with local customers in Ahmedabad and the surrounding region. "With our strong foundation in aluminum aerosol manufacturing, this new plant allows us to enter the rapidly expanding India market and meet the needs of regional customers, as well as our existing global customers," said Michael Feldser, senior vice president, Ball Corporation and chief operating officer, Global Metal Food & Household Products Packaging. The global leader in metal packaging,...
Locals request Vedanta to run Lanjigarh alumina plant
A representation of Ambadola residents went to Lanjigarh yesterday to discuss Vedanta COO on the closure of Vedanta’s Alumina refinery in absence of bauxite security. Previously People in large numbers made the demonstrations on Save Vedanta. Showing their displeasure, locals of Ambadola on the leadership of Mr Subash Majhi-Zilla Parishad (Muniguda A) and Sarapanch K Majhi today submitted a memorandum to Mr. K.K.Dave, COO Vedanta Limited and expressed that they would go back to the dark old days of poverty, ill- health and lack of infrastructure in case the plant closes down. All the developmental by the company would be hampered drastically. Mr K.K.Dave, COO Vedanta Limited said that in absence of apt bauxite security from within the state and with global aluminium market turmoil, the...
IMO's sub-committee on CCC meets to discuss bauxite liquefaction
The IMO’s Sub-Committee on Carriage of Containers and Cargoes (CCC) recently met to discuss, among other issues, cargoes which may liquefy, in particular, bauxite and coal. Following the sinking of the Bulk Jupiter which was carrying 46,400 tonnes of bauxite and the loss of eighteen lives earlier this year, the risk of bauxite liquefaction has been in the spotlight. Bauxite is currently classified as a Group C cargo (that is, cargo that is not liable to liquefy) under the International Maritime Solid Bulk Cargoes (IMSBC) Code. However, further to the investigation on the causes of the sinking by Bahamas, the flag state of the Bulk Jupiter, which suggested that the liquefaction of bauxite led to the loss of stability of the ship, the CCC has identified the need to warn masters of the...
Latin American mining equipment market to witness growth over 2014-2020
The global mining industry is expected to witness growth with a single digit CAGR over the next six years on account of the further expanding demand for metal and mineral commodities. In a recently published market report on global mining equipment market, Latin America has been identified as the region accounting for about 8% of the global mining equipment demand in 2013, and its contribution towards global mining equipment sales has been found to have registered at 15% for the same year. The region serves as the prime destination for mining exploration and investment at a global level. The key reason which has accelerated the growth of the Latin American mining equipment market is the enhanced demand for the consumption of natural resources. In addition, foreign investment, especially...
