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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ASCS rules out aluminum blocks
After several meetings with directors, promoters, car owners, and drivers the American Sprint Car Series has elected to hold off on allowing aluminum blocks in the series for 2016. A plan had been put in place at the 2014 PRI Show to allow the blocks for next season. “We put the rule out there in 2014 in order to allow everyone to know what we wanted to do that way we were able to gain feedback from as many sources as possible, and the response was tremendous,” said ASCS National Coordinator, Matt Ward. “We’ve heard from just about everyone, ASCS affiliated or not, on what they thought of the potential for the Aluminum Block and with respect to everyone’s concerns, we are going to put the option on hold. This sport is an expensive one, and that was one of the biggest concerns we heard at...
Terengganu freezes new applications for bauxite mining in Kemaman, Malaysia
No approval is being given to any party willing to undertake bauxite mining in Terengganu as the state government has frozen all new applications at the moment. Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Ahmad Razif Abdul Rahman said bauxite mining in Kemaman caused serious pollution problems. He said the freeze would continue until a method was found to allow mining activities to be carried out safely without any pollution. "So far we have decided to freeze it and not give permission to any party that wants to mine bauxite, although some of them are on private land, we still will not allow it until we find a technology or method that will not cause problems," he said when asked to comment on the current issue of bauxite mining in Kemaman. "The state government will also think of appropriate methods for...
Alcoa considers Wagerup option
Aluminium giant Alcoa is considering whether to keep alive a long-held plan for a multi-billion dollar expansion of its Wagerup alumina refinery. Senior executives are understood to be trying to mount a case for seeking a second extension to a crucial WA Government environmental approval that allows for Wagerup’s refining capacity to be almost doubled to 4.7 million tonnes a year. If they decide to ask for another extension, they are expected to have to file an application within months. Alcoa’s deliberations come amid heavy headwinds in the form of aluminium’s weak price and concerns over the metal’s most important growth market, China. The US-based giant has been curtailing million of tonnes of refining capacity around the world but has kept its three South West assets. Alcoa is also...
Alba receives environmental permission for Line 6
Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C (Alba), one of the world’s leading aluminium smelters, announced that it has been recently granted the environmental permission for its Line 6 Expansion Project from the Supreme Council for Environment, Kingdom of Bahrain. The environmental permission, vital to Alba’s Line 6 Expansion Project, was granted based on a detailed environmental and social impact assessments carried-out by a competent consultant and overseen by the Line 6 expansion team. To date, one of the top ten aluminium producers’ in the world, Alba’s Line 6 Expansion Project will make it the largest single site smelter in the world upon its completion. Expected to begin production in early 2019, this Project will boost the Company’s per-annum production by 514,000 metric tonnes upon full ramp-up,...
Maaden to host ARABAL in Dhahran in November 2015
The Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Maaden), which owns the largest and most efficient vertically integrated aluminum complex in the world, will host the International Arab Aluminium Conference (ARABAL) in Dhahran on Nov. 15. This high-profile conference will discuss the current and the future challenges for the aluminum industry. "The three-day event will provide opportunities to discuss industrial integration of aluminum in the Gulf region," said Khaled bin Saleh Al-Mudaifer, Maaden CEO. He said Maaden will also present the experience of an integrated supply chain through a tour of its aluminum complex in Ras Al-Khair, demonstrating the application of the manufacturing vision from the mine to the end product." He added: “The conference will also be an opportunity to review opportunities...
SAMMA Glass and Aluminium launches new products
SAMMA Glass and Aluminium Limited launched three new products at the Fiji Club in Suva last week. The newly opened hardware company attracted more than 30 construction firms and clients who wished to get a firsthand look at the company’s new products. General Manager of SAMMA Glass and Aluminium, Marcus Nand said, the company which kicked off two months ago started with glass and aluminium. “For our clients we have brought some of the markets leading products to complement our offering in the market," he said. The products launched were the door handling range, the entire locking range launch from Dorma, an international company and Crimsafe which is a security screen product from Australia. Marcus said: “When we started our company two months ago obviously it is not a two month year old...
Chalco and Dongfeng Motor join hands to develop automotive aluminum alloy
Chalco and Dongfeng Motor Corporation (DFM) signed a strategic agreement on August 28 to establish an all-new DFM-Chalco automotive aluminum alloy laboratory. The laboratory will be dedicated to research and development and applications of new materials and technology in automotive aluminum alloy field. Lighter car body is the direction of the automobile industry. All premiere car makers across the world such as Jaguar, Ford etc. are focusing on R&D initiatives to bring out new models based on lightweighting technology. They are increasingly using aluminium and aluminium alloys in their car bosies and engines to make their machines fuel as well as cost efficient. DFM’s EJ series electric vehicles too are equipped with all-aluminum car body at present.
Danieli receives FAC for plate stretcher at AMAG AG
AMAG rolling GmbH and Danieli signed a contract in April 2012 for the design, manufacture and on-site installation of a plate stretcher with all its auxiliaries. This job has been a challenge from many points of view, given the high quality standards requested by the customer and the demanding performances required from the machine. This 80MN stretcher is used to process medium-thickness plates with high surface quality and high performance requirements, for alloys ranging from series 1xxx to 7xxx for aerospace to marine, defence and commercial transportation applications. The rolling line is fully controlled and operated by the automation system supplied by Danieli Automation. The project got the attention of the Austrian media for the impressive transport of large-dimension component...
Vedanta to ramp up aluminium output at Odisha plant by 60%
In a move that could be seen as a paradox to Vedanta's move to shut down its Lanjigarh alumina refinery in the backdrop fall in global aluminium prices and lack of bauxite linkage, the company has initiated the process of stepping up aluminium production at its Jharsuguda smelter in Odisha. The company, over the next six months, plans to ramp up aluminium production at Jharsuguda facility from 0.5 million tonne to 0.8 million tonne per annum. "We had decided to shut down the alumina refinery as present operational costs sans bauxite linkage are unviable. But in case of aluminium, there was a positive cash flow till last month. Though the metal prices have dipped further, we can still produce aluminium at Jharsuguda at a cost which is about same as the selling price", said Abhijit Pati,...
Aluminium India 2015 takes off in Mumbai
Aluminium India 2015, the largest and the most important trade fair for the aluminium industry and its application fields in India, started today on September 7 at Bombay Exhibition Centre in Mumbai. The international exhibition and conference, organized by Reed SI Exhibitions Pvt Ltd, will be held here till September 9. Over 120 exhibitors comprising the biggest names in the aluminium industry from India and across the world are participating in the exhibition. Hindalco Industries and Aluminium Association of India are the associtae partners. The event, aimed at bringing the entire aluminium industry under one roof, is expected to experience a huge turnout to the tune of 7000 and above. The trade fair covers the demand of the Indian aluminum industry and open international companies...
Vedanta CEO meets Odisha CM for urgent allocation of bauxite mine
Vedanta's chief executive officer (CEO) Tom Albanese urged Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik last Thursday to arrange for bauxite for its dying one million tonne per annum (mtpa) Lanjigarh refinery in Kalahandi district as soon as possible. The CEO also officially intimated the company's decision to close what is claimed to be India's one of the top world-class refineries in a phased manner since it has no access to bauxite and the cost of production is scaling higher with every passing day. Previously, the company had made an announcement to this effect; yet no measure was taken by the state's mining authority. "There is no cooling-off period for the refinery. Steps have been initiated for its closure as there is no raw material. We are operating in a condition of business crisis...
SAF West opens Oregon sales office, promotes Stauffer
SAF (Southern Aluminum Finishing Co.) announces a big push for Northwest sales and customer service: the opening of an SAF Northwest Sales office in Salem, Oregon. The new office opened this spring is managed by Peter Stauffer, Account Manager of Pacific Northwest. Stauffer was promoted from his previous position in Sales at the company’s SAF-West facility in Redding, CA. The SAF Oregon Sales office will focus on sales support to Pacific Northwest glazing and other contractors and suppliers in the commercial building market. “This office will help SAF meet expected growth in the Pacific Northwest’s commercial building industry, which by our estimates is poised to grow 25% over the next 5 years,” said, Penn McClatchey, SAF Co-CEO.
Budweiser Budvar celebrates 120th anniversary with limited edition Rexam cans
Rexam has collaborated with Czech brewer, Budweiser Budvar, to create a limited edition can design celebrating 120 years of the Budvar brewery. Rexam and Budvar worked together to create a unique design that encapsulates Budvar’s history and communicates the premium nature of the beer. Using value added matt over-varnish and careful colour matching, the stand out design celebrates the anniversary and brand traditions with a visual depiction of a 19th century barmaid. Marek Honetschläger, Budweiser Budvar Innovation manager, says, “We wanted to bring our unique can design to life in a way that would engage our valued consumers and enable us to celebrate this exciting milestone with them. As a trusted supplier, with vast experience in the industry, we knew Rexam could be relied upon to...
Recyclers to meet for Annual Commodities Roundtable amid challenging global markets
The Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries, Inc. (ISRI), the Voice of the Recycling Industry™, is once again hosting its annual Commodities Roundtable Forum, September 9 to 11, 2015, in Chicago. The once a year event is a must-attend for all involved in the trade of scrap commodities from processors to brokers to buyers. It provides the most comprehensive view of what is happening across a wide range of recycled commodities including ferrous and nonferrous metals, recovered paper and plastics and the key trends impacting the $106 billion scrap recycling industry. The feature of the event will be the Special Topic Roundtable on Economy: Looking Beyond China. Without question, China's rapid economic growth and voracious appetite for raw materials was the main driver behind the commodities...
China consolidation could trim metal oversupply
China is planning a reshuffle of state-owned industrial assets, according to the Financial Times. The next logical step will be to shutter unviable units of their consolidated operations. If that happens, China will be doing the metals industry a big favour in the long run. The newspaper report says State Power Investment Corp. may transfer its loss-making aluminium smelters to Aluminium Corp. of China (Chinalco), adding 2.7 million tonnes (mt) to its existing smelting capacity of 3.7 mt. That is just moving things around and not tackling the real problem of oversupply and propping up of inefficient units. It will only see Chinalco become the largest aluminium producer, ahead of Alcoa Inc. and Rusal Plc. The real restructuring will be when Chinalco puts its loss-making smelters on notice....
China aluminum prices to take hit after 3-day holiday
Aluminum prices in China’s spot market will take a hit after the three-day holiday, Shanghai Metals Market foresees. More ingots will arrive at China’s major regional markets after the holiday. Meanwhile, traders that have signed term contracts will increase shipment at the beginning of the month. This will widen spot discounts to 100-50 yuan per tonne over SHFE 1509 contract. SHFE 1511 aluminum contract should range 11,700-11,900 yuan per tonne, versus $ 1,570-1,630 per tonne for LME aluminum.
Hitachi to mark new era in North-East train building when it opens doors to its £82m factory
A New era in the history of North-East train building starts this morning when Hitachi opens the doors to its £82m train factory. At 11am in a ceremony attended by ministers, 500 guests and 100 journalists from around the world Hitachi will declare the Newton Aycliffe Rail Vehicle Manufacturing Facility open for business. Follow this momentous day as business editor Andy Richardson reports live from the opening of Hitachi's new £82m factory Karen Boswell, managing director of Hitachi Rail Europe, told The Northern Echo that today’s opening ceremony would be spectacular: “I am supremely confident that we will leave an indelible memory of the day Hitachi opened in Newton Aycliffe. Things that you thought weren’t possible will happen today. It will be more than cutting a red ribbon – I like...
Jaguar Land Rover scraps plans for Saudi car factory
Jaguar Land Rover has quietly scrapped an ambitious plan to build a factory in the desert in Saudi Arabia, according to people familiar with the matter. Codenamed Project Fern, the plan sought for the first time to place production of JLR’s premium vehicles in the Middle East — an important market for the UK-based carmaker. The plant would also have potentially given JLR the opportunity to use Saudi-produced aluminium in its lightweight cars. For Saudi, it was an attempt to reduce the country’s dependency on oil revenues and establish a manufacturing base in the kingdom. In response to a request for comment from the Financial Times, JLR, owned by India’s Tata Motors, said the Saudi project was now “on hold”. Several people familiar with the matter went further, saying the plans had been...
