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...
Grow with
AL Circle
Aluminium rises by 0.3% on global cues
Tracking firmness in base metals overseas coupled with strong demand at domestic spot markets, aluminium prices edged up 0.33% to INR 107.75 per kg in futures trade today as participants enlarged positions. Marketmen said apart from increased domestic demand, a firming global trend ahead Chinese new data to be released tomorrow, influenced aluminium futures here. At the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX), aluminium for delivery this month inched up 35 paise, or 0.33%, to INR 107.75 per kg in a business turnover of 35 lots. Likewise, the metal for delivery in October traded higher by 25 paise, or 0.23%, to INR 108.80 per kg in six lots.
China aluminum cash cost falls in August on lower power cost
The average cash cost at Chinese aluminum smelters slipped 0.45% month-on-month in August, SMM statistics showed. SMM attributes the decline largely to 1.15% fall in power costs. Some smelters put lower-cost captive power plants into service, dragging down overall power costs. Alumina cost slid 0.55% as alumina prices kept falling slightly. Prebaked anode cost increased 0.75%, and fluoride salt cost rose 1.06%.
China automotive aluminium consumption to stand at 210,000-220,000 tonnes in 2015
SCI International cut its forecast for China’s automotive aluminum consumption in 2015 to 210,000-220,000 tonnes from 250,000 tonnes predicted early this year. Harsh domestic aluminum market is behind SCI International’s forecast cut. China’s automobile sector consumed 194,000 tonnes of aluminum in July, down 17.9% from June and 11.7% from a year ago, as per data from SCI International. China’s automobile production and sales were 1.52 million units and 1.5 million units in July, down 17.99% and 16.64%, respectively, compared with June.
35,000 tonnes of bauxite awaits shipment at Rusal’s Alpart operations
After a gap of six years, UC Rusal Alpart bauxite/alumina operations have finally swung into action. A cargo ship- Vyritsa is being loaded with 35,000 tonnes of bauxite at Alpart’s Port Kaiser facility and is scheduled to leave for Ukraine later this week. “This is the first major economic activity coming out of Alpart in six years,” an enthused and excited Mining Minister Phillip Paulwell declared; and is certainly a landmark in the journey of the facility’s resumption of operations since its closure in 2009. Following the shutdown of Alpart, the largest alumina refinery in Jamaica, UC had committed to reopen the refinery at Nain, south east St Elizabeth in December 2016. Bauxite mining operations were started in January this year in Alpart owned bauxite mine in the Myersville region of...
Aluminium prices to rise next year on China boost, observes Hindalco
With China, the world’s largest consumer of major commodities including aluminium, unveiling stimulus, prices of aluminium are slated to rise next year, says Hindalco Industries Ltd, India’s second biggest aluminium producing company. Satish Pai, Hindalco’s deputy managing director said in an interview last week that after a dismal first half of 2015 and most likely the next two quarters of the fiscal also, prices of aluminium will finally rebound next year as China gears up to boost its slowing economy. He said prices may climb to as much as $1,900 a tonne next year. The light metal has plummeted 23% in the past one year, depressed by a huge surplus in the global market and a below than average demand. Aluminium for delivery in three months was at $1,615 a tonne, up 0.4%, as of 3:08pm on...
Nalco fixes book closure for final dividend & 34th AGM
The Register of Members & Share Transfer Books of National Aluminium Company Ltd will remain closed from September 22, 2015 to September 26, 2015 (both days inclusive) for the purpose of Payment of Final Dividend & 34th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Company to be held on September 26, 2015. Shares of NATIONAL ALUMINIUM CO.LTD. was last trading in BSE at INR 32.7 as compared to the previous close of INR 33.2. The total number of shares traded during the day was 329094 in over 1899 trades. The stock hit an intraday high of INR 33.2 and intraday low of 31.35. The net turnover during the day was INR 10562982.
Sohar Aluminium highlights importance of recycling during community event
Sohar Aluminium (SA) recently organised another exciting edition of the ‘Let’s Have Fun with Sohar Aluminium’ event at Safeer Mall in Sohar as part of its continuous efforts to engage the community across multiple spheres. Held under the theme of ‘Recycling’, the entertaining event was attended by more than 500 children who took part in a number of fun and educational activities including quizzes and games designed to instil a sense of responsibility towards the environment from a young age. The latest ‘Let’s have Fun with Sohar Aluminium’ also included a magic show that wowed the audience, young and old, and a guest appearance by SA’s safety mascot, ‘Salim’, who helped to promote tips to kids on staying safe at home, in the car and at school. The fun activity also gave attending children...
North American aluminum scrap prices edged higher 4th Sep, 2015
The North American Aluminum scrap prices ended marginally higher on ScrapMonster Price Index as on September 4th, 2015. 1100 Scrap prices moved higher by $0.02 per Lb. The prices of 3003 Scrap too increased $0.02 per Lb. An up move of $0.02 per Lb was witnessed in 356 Aluminum Wheels. Meantime, 5052 Scrap and 6061 Extrusions price saw marginal increase of $0.01 per Lb over the day. 6063 Extrusions and 6063 Extrusions/Fe prices too were up by $0.02 per Lb. The prices of Al/Cu Radiators and Al/Cu Radiators/Fe dropped slightly by $0.01 per Lb. The prices of Aluminum Radiators increased by $0.01 per Lb. Meantime, Aluminum Radiators /Fe prices appreciated by $0.01 per Lb. Aluminum Transformer and Breakage 50% Recovery prices held steady on 4th Sep. Chrome Wheels, E.C Aluminum Wire and Litho...
Boyne Smelters manager stands potential contender for AIMEA 2015 title
Boyne Smelters Ltd general manager Joe Rea has reached the regional finals of the Manager of the Year category for the Australian Institute of Management Excellence Awards 2015. During the past three years, he and his workforce have delivered operational cost reductions nearing $100 million, requiring difficult decisions around workforce reductions, production curtailment and site investment against a now six-year low for aluminium prices. Mr Rea has also led BSL to achieve a period of 365 days without a recordable injury, the best result ever achieved at the operation since it opened in 1981. "The Australian manufacturing industry is currently shrinking at a greater rate than it ever has in our lifetime. It would be a sad day when we surrender the opportunity to add value to Australian...
Goa Carbon reports 16,353.400 MT of calcined petroleum coke production
Goa Carbon has reported production of 16,353.400 MT (million tonnes) of calcined petroleum coke for the month of August 2015. Of the total production achieved for the month, Bilaspur plant produced 1,653.400 MT, Goa plant produced 3,417.000 MT of calcined petroleum coke while Pradeep plant produced 11,283.000 MT. On the sales front, the company has sold a total of 15,749.450 MT of calcined petroleum coke products for the month of August 2015. Of the total sales achieved for the month, Bilaspur plant, Goa plant and Paradeep plant of the company sold 1,607.250 MT; 6,605.100 MT and 7,537.100 MT respectively. Goa Carbon is into the business of manufacturing and marketing calcined petroleum coke. Goa Carbon is firmly established as a leading Indian petcoke calciner. It is a regular supplier to...
Chalco cuts aluminum smelter output against severe losses
Chalco, China's top aluminium producer, has slashed output at its two smelters as high electricity costs and falling prices have severly hit their bottomlines. Chalco (Liancheng) shut down 80 * 200kA electrolytic cells and 12 * 600KA electrolytic cells in H1 2015, and has closed almost all of its 200KA electrolytic cells till now, said an executive from the company. Chalco (Lanzhou) is also struggling due to power cost hike and declining aluminium prices. After having run in losses it shut down 25 * 200KA electrolytic cells last year. What is plaguing Chalco's operations the most is the lack of captive power plants in its aluminum smelters. This has put them in a bad strategic position over rival companies operating smelters with captive power plants.
AMAG reports increase in operating profit of 30 % in H1 2015
AMAG Austria Metall AG reported significant growth in its key operating earnings results during the first half of 2015 compared with the previous year's first six months. Revenue grew by 15.9 % – from EUR 406.7 million to EUR 471.5 million. Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) were up by 30.1 %, increasing to EUR 70.6 million (H1 2014: EUR 54.3 million). Helmut Wieser, CEO of AMAG: "Our broad portfolio of special products has enabled us to exploit market opportunities and report significant increase in both revenue, which was up 16 %, and operating earnings, which grew by 30%. This growth also already includes contributions from new products from the new plants created as part of our AMAG 2014 expansion project. These new plants allow us to manufacture...
SINR to host Fourth IBAAS symposium in Suzhou, China from November 25-27
International Bauxite, Alumina & Aluminium Society (IBAAS), China Aluminium International Engineering Corporation Limited (Chalieco) and Suzhou Research Institute for Nonferrous Metals (SINR) have jointly announced that the Fourth IBAAS symposium (IBAAS-CHALIECO-SINR 2015) will be held in Suzhou (Near Shanghai), Jiang Su, China from November 25-27. The international aluminium industry conference titled "The Development and Future of Aluminium Industry in China - Reality and Dream” will be sponsored by Rusal, Allied Mineral Products, Shandong JingjinEnvirmental Protection LLC, Cytec Industries, Taiyuan Heavy Machinary Group co. Ltd., Szheattop Technology Co., Ltd and Xian Heavy Machinery Research Institution Ltd. The list of participants who have already registered for the event features...
Russia aluminum exports soar in Jan-July on weaker Rouble
Russia’s aluminum exports soared during the first months of this year, driven mainly by sharp depreciation of rouble against the US dollar. The country exported 2.03 million tonnes of aluminum January-July, up 21% from a year ago, as per data from the Russian Federal Customs Service.
SMM aluminum market morning review
US non-farm payrolls missed forecasts, but jobless rate hit over 7-year low. LME aluminum fell back after opening higher at USD 1,630/mt last Friday. The light metal ended down USD 15/mt or 0.92% at USD 1,610/mt. Trading volumes were down 5,374 lots to 9,301 lots, and positions were up 3,003 to 837,000. SHFE 1511 aluminum should meet strong resistance at moving averages and move between RMB 11,820-11,900/mt on Tuessday. In China’s spot market, growing arrivals after the 3-day holiday will add to supply pressure and leave spot discounts at RMB 60-20/mt over SHFE 1509 aluminum contract.
Odisha-based NALCO bags EEPC Star Performer Award
National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO), the Navratna PSU, Under Ministry of Mines, Govt. of India and country’s leading manufacturer-exporter of alumina and aluminium, has bagged the prestigious EEPC (Engineering Export Promotion Council)’s Star Performer Award, for its outstanding export performance during the year 2013-14. On behalf of the company, Shri A.K. Murthy, GM (Port Facilities), received the award from Ms. Nirmala Sitharaman, Minister of State for Commerce & Industry, Government of India, at All India Export Award Function, held in New Delhi on September 3. It may be mentioned here that NALCO enjoys Premier Trading House status, and it is the first Indian aluminium company to be registered with London Metal Exchange, for its high quality products.
LME aluminium may rise to $1,686
LME aluminium may rise to $1,686 per tonne, as it has broken resistance at $1,617. Resistance was provided by the 23.6 percent Fibonacci retracement on the fall from the May 6 high of $1,977 to the Aug. 24 low of $1,506. The next resistance will be at $1,686, the 38.2 percent level. The metal had been falling within a channel before Aug. 24, the upper channel line of a duplicated channel indicates a target at $1,686 as well. A sudden drop below $1,617, now a support, could signal the break above this level was false, the 14.6 percent level at $1,575 could be approached.
CME throws down gauntlet to LME with new aluminum premium contract
The CME Group has taken another step towards challenging the London Metal Exchange's dominance of base metals trading outside China with a new European aluminum premium contract due to launch later this month. The new 25-tonne contract will trade on the global CME Globex platform from Sept 21. The exchange's other aluminum (U.S) Midwest premium contract was launched in April 2012. The new contract will start trading before the LME's four regional aluminum premium contracts are launched on Nov. 23. "The CME is trying to muscle in, get first mover advantage," said Robin Bhar, head of metals research at Societe Generale. Premiums are paid over listed cash contracts to cover the cost of freight and insurance, for immediate delivery of metal. They have tumbled this year from record highs due...
