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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Wider consultations soughted for proposed bauxite mine in Wainunu
The Bua Urban Youth Network has called for wider consultations for the bauxite mining in Wainunu district. A release from the group stated that landowners should, by right be consulted and given the necessary information to ensure their consent is informed. "This also means that landowners and surrounding communities are able to negotiate for the best possible returns and one that will compensate for the loss of livelihood and environmental degradation," the release said. The group has also called on the government to abide by the principle of free, prior and informed consent when dealing with landowners.
Problems galore for Vedanta's Lanjigarh refinery
Vedanta's decision to close its loss-making Lanjigarh refinery is triggering varied reactions across the state. While on one hand Union ministry's recommendation to grant mining lease (ML) over Karlapat bauxite mines to feed the dying refinery stands thwarted in the face of opposition from the tribal organizations, landlosers in the Lanjigarh region, on the other hand, have sent a letter requesting Vedanta COO not to shut down the plant. Vedanta Land-Losers Association have also written to the state government authorities as well as the chief minister asking them to provide bauxite for the refinery to run smoothly. President of VLLA, Lanjigarh mentioned about Vedanta’s various development initiative in terms of health, education, livelihood and infrastructure bringing a change in...
US shredded scrap, aluminum scrap prices stay flat
United States shredded scrap prices remained flat during the week ended September 11, while major US aluminum scrap commodities prices on Scrap Register Price Index stayed almost stable. According to TSI, US Midwest shredded index remained flat at $230 a long ton (delivered mill) the week. Sellers looked fortunate to have made their sales prior to the huge falls seen in exports to Turkey the week. Participants suggest that exporting yards have now lowered their bids to local suppliers significantly, and have faced resistance to these prices. As per Scrap Register Price Index, United States aluminum scrap commodities also showed a flat trend during last week. The scrap prices of 356 Auto Wheels, 5052 Alum Clip, 6061 Alum Extrusion, 6063 10-10 Extrusion, Al/Cu Rad with Iron, Al/Cu Radiator...
Airbus nearing final approvals for A350 lithium ion batteries
Airbus has reached the final stages of regulatory reviews over a plan to use lithium ion batteries for backup and starting power on the A350-900, says executive vice-president of engineering Charles Champion. But well-publicised safety problems with lithium ion batteries on the Boeing 787-8 and other aircraft have stretched out the regulatory review process. “We might have to do a few more tests because authorities are extremely nervous on the subject because of the Boeing 787,” Champion says. Airbus already has decided to make one design change to the original lithium ion battery system for the A350-900. The original design allowed power to flow between the batteries, but that raised concerns that one overheating battery could cause another to fail. So, they put in a non-return valve so...
Integrated aluminium industry booming in China's Shandong province
Vertically integrated bauxite-aluminum-processing industry is developing in full swing in Binzhou City, Shandong Province, China’s major aluminum producing region, industry insiders reported. Annual primary aluminum capacity in the city has soared from 33,000 tonnes over a decade ago to current 6.36 million tonnes. The city has an annual aluminum processing capacity of 4.2 million tones, the sources said. According to the sources, local smelters enjoy lower costs than most other counterparts in the country, allowing local aluminum industry to boom.
Aluminum industry body asks U.S. authorities to probe China exports
A U.S. aluminum industry body has called on federal authorities to investigate allegations that Chinese producers of the metal are improperly labeling their exports, flooding the market and driving down global prices. Aluminum producers in the United States have alleged that the Chinese have mislabeled exports as semi-fabricated aluminum in order to evade an export tax on primary aluminum. These products, the U.S. producers say, are often re-melted into primary aluminum further along in the supply chain. The complaint by the Aluminum Association was sent in a letter dated Sept 4 to a unit of the U.S. Trade Representative. Aluminum Association Vice President for Policy Charles Johnson asked Interagency Trade Enforcement Center Director Bradford Ward to look into allegations that the...
More shine to National Aluminium Company
The share price of National Aluminium Company (Nalco) has surged 30 per cent after it hit an almost two-year low of INR 28 on August 25, following a rout in metal stocks on concerns over Chinese slowdown. Though China still remains a concern, analysts say current aluminium prices are factoring in too much pessimism, and ignoring fundamentals, and hence should rebound. Further, for Nalco, the good news is allocation of Utkal D and E coal blocks in Odisha. The Utkal E block was held by Nalco since 2004, and the company had spent INR 126 crore on its development (including INR 98 crore on compensation for land acquisition). The block had got de-allocated following a Supreme Court order. Thus, its re-allocation, along with another block, is a positive for Nalco, and will help contain costs....
Aluminium futures weaken on global cues
Aluminium futures today traded 0.42 per cent lower at INR 106.75 per kg as speculators reduced their positions amid weak global cues. Furthermore, subdued demand in the domestic spot market also weighed. At Multi Commodity Exchange, aluminium for delivery in September eased 45 paise, or 0.42 per cent, to INR 106.75 per kg in a business turnover of 185 lots. Similarly, the metal for delivery in October traded lower by 30 paise, or 0.28 per cent, to INR 107.55 per kg in nine lots. Market analysts said the weakness in aluminium is mostly in tune with a downtrend in base metals at the London Metal Exchange (LME) as investors weighed China's economic slowdown and global disruptions to supply ahead of the Fed meet on rates.
CNIA to host 2015 China International Aluminum Industry Week in October 2015
China, as the largest producer and consumer of aluminium in the world, plays a decisive role in the global aluminium industry. The sustainable and healthy development of China’s aluminium industry in the future requires a wider opening and longer perspective in broadening of international collaboration, strengthening of industry coordination and practice of win-win strategy. In order to enhance cooperation, deepen communication and promote aluminium application, China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association (CNIA) decides to host 2015 China International Aluminum Industry Week in Qingdao of Shandong province from 26th to 29th October 2015. The four day event includes 2015 China Aluminum Forum, Pan Pacific Aluminum Industry Summit and Expanding Applications of Aluminum Cladding Panel Forum....
Redesigned Aluminum Statistical Review highlights demand growth for 5th straight year
The Aluminum Association released the latest edition of the Aluminum Statistical Review for 2014 on September 17, 2015 . The 2015 edition of the Review, which features a new design and statistics through 2014 in the North American market, includes information on every cycle of the aluminum production process from primary aluminum to markets for finished goods to the recovery of aluminum scrap. The full report is available for purchase in the Aluminum Association bookstore at www.aluminum.org. This year’s Review shows continued growth in demand for the metal and positive trend lines in many key market sectors. Among key findings, the report found that in 2014 in the U.S. and Canada: • Demand for aluminum (producer net shipments and imports) increased by 3.6 percent to 25.5 billion pounds....
Petcoke is the unlikely Achilles heel of the world's aluminium producers- a study reveals
According to a new study by three consultants, AZ China, Cascade Resources and Turner Mason and Co., titled "Anode coke outlook to 2025," anode grade petroleum coke is going to play a key role in reining in the excess production of primary aluminium that has been pulling down the global aluminium prices for a while now. Petroleum coke, also known as petcoke, is a by-product of the oil refining process; and anode-grade petcoke is that variety, which contains less than three percent of sulphur. Petcoke is an important raw material in the aluminium production process. It is used as carbon anode in the Hall-Heroult aluminium process. There are two dominant suppliers of anode coke to the world's smelters, the United States and China. Output in both is declining. In the U.S. this is largely a...
Busy 100 days for Sapa’s new CEO
President & CEO Egil Hogna intends to spend his first 100 days gaining deep insight into the operations of his new company and its global team, with travel around the world of Sapa. He started this week in Denmark and Austria. Already during his first week on the job, between meetings with the management team, Hogna opened his agenda and invited all employees at Sapa’s head office in Oslo for five-minute “speed dating” sessions. It lasted the entire day. Now, he has started his tour around the world of Sapa. His first stop was in Denmark, where he visited the extrusion plant and the aluminium tubing plant in Tønder. He went from there to Austria, site of the Nenzing extrusion plant. Board union representatives Tor Egil Skulstad and Kenneth Hertz joined Hogna on the visits. ”Sapa is made...
Study reveals single serve coffee packaging systems can reduce food waste and lower environmental impact
A recent study by Quantis Canada on the environmental impact of single serve coffee portions, relative to bulk coffee preparation at home, reinforces findings from the LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) on two coffee packaging systems commissioned by Flexible Packaging Europe (FPE). The externally reviewed study for PAC (Packaging Association of Canada) concludes that “Overall, the single-serve best case scenario posts a better environmental performance than the drip brew system from the perspective of the systems’ full life cycles”. Stefan Glimm, Chief Executive Director for FPE said, “The conclusions of this new study are significant as they confirm our LCA on packed food products “Case Study: Coffee” comparing an instant coffee single serve stick-pack with a ground coffee family size pouch...
Indian aluminium scrap holds ground through the week ended Sept 11
Indian containerized shredded scrap import prices plummeted during week ended September 11, while Indian aluminium scrap prices on Scrap Register Price Index remained almost stable. According to TSI, containerized shredded index for Indian imports fell by $9 a ton to $232 a ton CFR Nhava Sheva port. This was largely as a result of international trends, with the market flooded with material and mills forcing suppliers to drop their prices. Currency depreciation is also a key issue, with buyers having to pay more Rupees to buy the same volume, meaning US$ values have to decrease. As per the Scrap Register Price Index, scrap prices for aluminium accessories, aluminium ingots, aluminium rod company, aluminium rod local, aluminium sheet cutting, aluminium utensil, aluminium wire traded flat...
Cynthia Carroll joins the Chairman's Office of Vedanta Resources plc
Vedanta announces that Cynthia Carroll is joining the Group as the Chair of Vedanta Resources Holdings Ltd. In this role, Cynthia will advise on key strategic initiatives for the Chairman's Office of Vedanta Resources plc, including corporate development and significant value creation opportunities. Anil Agarwal, Chairman of Vedanta Resources plc, stated: "I am delighted to welcome Cynthia on board and look forward to working closely with her. She brings a wealth of experience in the natural resources sector across commodities and geographies and extensive experience in mining, oil and gas and the aluminium industry." Tom Albanese, Group CEO, Vedanta Resources plc, said: "Having known Cynthia for many years, I look forward to collaborating with her and leveraging her valuable industry...
Names of aluminium experts announced for OEM Collision Technology Summit
The Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) has announced the speakers for the second annual OEM Collision Repair Technology Summit to be held November 5th at the Las Vegas Convention Center during the 2015 SEMA Show. SCRS is welcoming back Doug Richman, vice president of engineering and technology for Kaiser Aluminum and technical committee chairman of the Aluminum Association’s Transportation Group. Richman’s presentation, “The Future of Aluminum in the Automotive Industry,” will offer insight into the technological advancements being made in the aluminum industry relative to use in the automotive market. The program will touch on safety, repairability and integration with automakers to address the growing demand for lightweight materials. Richman joined Kaiser in 1996 and was...
Hulamin requests for import duty hike on aluminium products
Africa's largest producer of rolled and extruded aluminium products, Hulamin, is asking the government to protect it from cheaper imports through higher import duties on all of its products to the maximum level of 15%. The move follows applications made to the International Trade Administration Commission (Itac) by steel makers, including ArcelorMittal SA, for tariff protection. About 80% of Hulamin’s revenue comes from rolled products with the rest from complex extruded products. The group supplies the domestic industry and exports to Europe, North America, the Middle East and Asia. Hulamin CEO Richard Jacob confirmed that the company had made an application to Itac for increased import duties. "We submitted two applications to Itac, one each for rolled and extruded aluminium products,"...
Synthesis Energy updates on Tianwo-SES JV projects in China
Synthesis Energy Systems, Inc., a global energy and gasification technology company enabling clean, high-value energy and chemical products from multiple feedstocks, reports a progress update from its Tianwo-SES Clean Energy Technologies Company Joint Venture in China. The second of three previously announced natural gas replacement projects under construction for Aluminum Corporation of China Limited, located in Xing County, Shanxi Province, has completed installation of the facility's single SES Gasification Technology system. The project team is commencing the first heat-up of the gasifier for the refractory curing period. The start-up of the gasifier is expected later this year. In addition to Shanxi, the first of the three Chalco projects located in Zibo City, Shandong Province, is...
