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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Amtek confirms acquisition of Rege Holding GmbH using subsidiary JMT Auto
Amtek Auto Ltd, the Arvind Dham-led automotive component supplier is routing the acquisition of Germany-based Rege Holding GmbH (Rege) through its public listed subsidiary JMT Auto. Jamshedpur-based JMT Auto through its Singapore-based special purpose vehicle (SPV) has acquired Rege for an undisclosed amount. Earlier in May this year, Amtek Auto said it is acquiring Rege through its wholly-owned Singapore-based subsidiary Amtek Precision Engineering Pte Ltd. Rege founded in 1987 and manufactures products like connecting rods, crankcases, cylinder heads, gear housings and valve body components. It has two manufacturing plants—one each in Germany and Romania. Rege generates majority of its revenues acting as a tier I and single-source supplier to leading automotive companies globally. JMT...
Aluminium foil statistics second quarter 2015: Alufoil deliveries pick up in Europe
The European domestic market for aluminium foil made a welcome return to growth in Q2. It improved by 0.3% compared with the same period in 2014. This means that the shortfall on total deliveries has narrowed to just 0.7%, down markedly from the 2.5% seen in the first three months of 2015, according to new figures released by EAFA, the European Aluminium Foil Association. From January to June deliveries in the EAFA region were 439,300 tonnes (compared with 442,200t for the first six months of 2014). Once again thicker gauges, used typically for semi-rigid containers and technical applications, led the way with an increase of 4.5%, continuing the growth established at the end of last year, following a considerable period of decline. Demand for thinner gauges, used mainly for flexible...
US primary Aluminium output declines in May: USGS
US mines have produced 142,000 tons of primary aluminium in May this year, according to latest data from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The average daily production was 4,570 tons in May, essentially the same as the daily production during the preceding month but 3% less than that in May 2014. Total aluminum recovered from scrap in May 2015 was 286,000 tons, 5% less than that recovered in April and 7% less than that in May 2014.
China primary aluminum imports up 5.97% MoM in June
China imported 7,100 mt of primary aluminum in June, down 51.63% YoY, but up 5.97% MoM, customs data showed. Imports totaled 53,800 mt in H1, plunging 76.31% YoY. Aluminum premiums in Japan fell to a six-year low of around USD 100/mt for Q3 shipment. The SHFE/LME aluminum price ratio climbed to above 7.3. Both factors offered incentive for imports, which explained the MoM rise in import volumes. SMM expects China’s primary aluminum imports to stay low for the rest of the year on depressed domestic and overseas aluminum market. Overcapacity persists in domestic aluminum market, and flooding of Chinese aluminum semis has grown overseas supply.
China's alumina imports decline 40% YoY in June
Alumina imports of China declined 117,200 mt MoM and 40.01% YoY to 223,300 mt in June, according to customs data. Shanghai Metals Market (SMM) attributed the decline to two factors- a. prices for domestic alumina fell faster than imported alumina due to growing supply, making the former more attractive; b. depreciation of yuan against US dollar. Smelter cuts which had been happening since last week if continues may pull the prices further down in the near term, industry sources said. There have been talks of planned smelter cuts in the past month on the back of long prevailing weak domestic aluminium prices, with an estimated 600,000-700,000 mt/year of capacity expected to be reduced in the short term. But till now, only one Beijing Xinheng Group owned smelter in Qinghai province has...
UC RUSAL announces second quarter 2015 operating results
UC RUSAL, a leading global aluminium producer, announced its operating results for the second quarter 2015. Key highlights: Total aluminium output amounted to 908 thousand tonnes (+0.8% QoQ and +1.1% YoY in 2Q15). The company maintains production discipline in accordance with the previously provided guidance. Sales volumes in 2Q15 amounted to 880 thousand tonnes (-5.1 % QoQ). Decrease in sales volumes in 2Q15 resulted from the higher than normal sales in 1Q15 when shipment delays caused by port weather conditions in October to November 2014 were compensated. The average realized price went down 7.7% QoQ to USD2,124/tonne in 2Q15 driven by lower London Metal Exchange (“LME”) cash price and declining physical premium across key export markets. RUSAL volume of alumina production remained...
Vedanta’s innovation task force at work on next big idea
Senior managers at Vedanta have been meeting every quarter over the past one year to discuss new ideas and exchange notes with chief executive Tom Albanese on the next possible big innovation at the natural resources conglomerate. The executives are members of the 'innovation task force' which has a clear brief to increase the number of patent filings and bring down the cost of production by using disruptive technology. The task force, chaired by Albanese and comprising of five other senior officials, is supported by a dedicated team working at each location to promote creative and innovative culture across the group, the company said. "Anil Agarwal is very focused on the importance of exciting young engineers thinking outside the box and be seen to be using disruptive technology,"...
Alba launches "Beat the Heat" campaign- a unique strategic CSR initiative
Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C (Alba), one of the world’s leading aluminium smelters, underlined its long-standing commitment to employees’ safety with the launch of its new campaign titled “Together we can beat the heat” on Thursday, July 23, 2015. The campaign’s opening ceremony was attended by Alba’s CEO - Tim Murray, other Executive Management and Chairman of Alba Labour Union - Ali Al Binali along with other representatives of Alba Labour Union. An initiative by Alba’s Management, this campaign aims to improve safety awareness amongst the employees and minimise heat stress related injuries by focusing on four main steps: know the symptoms, drink water regularly, use the cooling cloth and take frequent breaks. This campaign will include several visits in the coming few weeks by members of...
Charge 2016: Plug updated with aluminium frame, carbon fork and wider tyres
The Plug has been a staple of the Charge Bikes lineup since 2006 when it was an iconic bike in the London fixed wheel craze, before evolving, and merging with the Filter, to become a range of mostly disc-equipped road bikes. For 2016 the Plug gets a major update. A new aluminium frame is used across most of the range, with a new titanium model spearheading the lineup, and carbon fibre forks and tyre widths increased to 38 and 42mm. Last year’s Plug, with a steel frame, fork and disc brakes, was well received. Stu really got on well with the Plug 4 last year when he reviewed it. Charge are keen to point out that the remit of the Plug isn’t to be a road racing bike, it’s aimed at commuters and those wanting an adventure type of bike. It would also be an ideal touring bike as well especially...
CRL- U.S. Aluminum expands its office partitions line with 487 Series Integrated Slider
New Slider Combines a Contemporary Profile with Added Functionality for More Dynamic Office Space Designs. CRL-U.S. Aluminum's line of office partition systems gives architects, interior designers, and glazing contractors the ability to design and build customized office spaces that combine utility with modern aesthetics. To continue with this tradition, the company is proud to introduce the 487 Series Integrated Slider, the latest addition to the 487 Series Office Partition family. The new slider will debut at GlassBuild America, September 16-18 in Atlanta. The 487 Series Integrated Slider is unique in that it comes equipped with an integrated top-hung sliding system that saves valuable floor space compared to conventional pivoting systems. In addition, fully framed doors enhance...
CMRA Convention 2015: Ningbo facility tours for delegates scheduled
The China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association Recycling Metals Branch (CMRA) has announced the program for its November 2015 convention, including several facility tour options in or near the host city of Ningbo, China. Throughout the event, which takes place Nov. 7-11, delegates can sign up for tours of facilities, including visits to: Ningbo Jintian Copper (Group) Co. Ltd.; Parco Industriale Italiana in Cina; Ningbo Jinshan Import & Export Co. Ltd.; Ningbo Zhanci Metal Industry Co. Ltd.; and Fu Yang Shen-Neng Solid Waste Recycling Co. Ltd. The 2015 CMRA Annual Convention begins on November 7 with the opening of the registration desk and an evening welcome reception. The event’s exhibition hall is open on November 8 and 9. Among the topics scheduled to be discussed in sessions taking...
Malaysia not Australia is now China’s Number 1 bauxite supplier
Malaysia has replaced Australia as China’s top bauxite supplier, taking up 46% of China’s total bauxite imports in June. SMM’s attributes China’s growing appetite for Malaysian bauxite to its price appeal. Import price of Malaysia bauxite averaged $46.19 per tonne in June, 16.6% lower than Australian ore and 22.12% lower than Indian ore. However, imports from Malaysia might fall in July since shipment in the country has slowed significantly due to ongoing Ramadan. Ships are lining up at Kuantan port, waiting to departure, SMM learned from traders in China. China imported 4.04 million tonnes of bauxite in June, up 38.02% year-on-year. Imports in H1 totaled 22.57 million tonnes, also up 15.62% from a year ago, customs data showed.
Prices unlikely to draw support from aluminium production cuts
"More aluminum smelters have joined recent wave of production cuts, bringing total idled aluminum capacity in China to 1.83 million tonnes since late last year, SMM’s latest statistics showed. Will aluminum prices draw support? Capacity expansions and slowing consumption will pressure aluminum prices for the rest of the year, SMM’s aluminum research team said. Another 1 million tonnes of aluminum capacity might be shut down later this year, SMM estimates. The lost production, however, will be more than offset by coming online of over 2 million tonnes of capacity in H2. Besides, aluminum consumption in H2 is expected to be weaker than in H1 since aluminum semis exports might not be as strong as in H1, another drag on the light metal. " Aluminium fell 0.14 per cent to Rs 104.80 per kg in...
Century Aluminum permanently closes Ravenswood, WV plant
Ending a years-long battle with public officials, former employees and utility companies, Century Aluminum announced at 8 p.m. July 27 it will permanently close its Ravenswood, WV plant, effective immediately. The Ravenswood smelter had been idled since February 2009, putting 650 employees out of work. The company eventually eliminated health insurance coverage for its retirees after the closure. “The decision to permanently close the Ravenswood plant is based on the inability to secure a competitive power contract for the smelter, compounded by challenging aluminum market conditions largely driven by increased exports of aluminum from China,” Century’s statement reads. “As a result, the economics of restarting and operating the facility are unfavorable.” WV Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin issued a...
Ma’aden to host Arabal Conference in the Kingdom next November
The Saudi Arabian Mining Company, Ma'aden, which owns the largest and most efficient vertically integrated aluminium complex in the world, is hosting the 19th International Arab Aluminium Conference, ARABAL in November 2015. Featuring international participation, the conference is scheduled to take place from 15-17 November 2015 at the Dhahran International Exhibitions Center in the Eastern Province of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. While the conference will focus on" the integration of the upstream and downstream aluminium industry across the GCC", it will also discuss topics related to the future of the global aluminium industry, promoting cooperation between producers and consumers, in order to achieve the common objectives of the participants in this gathering and the aluminium industry...
NALCO eyeing new oversees market to offset falling aluminium prices
With domestic and global market for metal witnessing sluggishness, National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO), a Navaratna central public sector unit, is looking at exploring virgin markets for its products on foreign soil, besides attempting to increase its footprint in mining sector. “It is difficult period for ferrous and non-ferrous industries. As high as 60 per cent of these industries have reported loss worldwide. Despite prevailing unfavourable conditions, NALCO has been maintaining profitability. We need to tide over the situation by way of reaching out to new and virgin markets,” said T. K. Chand, who took as the full-time Chairman and Managing Director of NALCO, here on Monday. “The domestic aluminium market appears to be saturated. Expanding market network involves high cost....
China aluminum semis exports hit 6-month high in June as disguised exports soar
China’s aluminum semis exports surged 46.43% year-on-year to 410,000 tonnes in June, customs data showed. Disguised exports of aluminum - shaped as aluminum semis and re-melted at destination to become a substitute for primary metal – were behind the significant growth, SMM’s aluminum research team said. Extrusion exports hit 163,000 tonnes in June, soaring 133.87% year-on-year and 68.04% month-on-month, customs data showed. Nearly 100,000 tonnes of aluminum extrusion was exported to Vietnam and Malaysia, which might be transhipment points for so-called “disguised Chinese aluminum semis” that will ultimately land elsewhere.
Ras Al-Khair's aluminium strongpoint drawing global automakers
Several international transport companies specialized in automobiles, aircraft and rail cars are planning to establish new assembly plants in Ras Al-Khair Industrial City. The development comes in the wake of the success achieved by the Saudi Arabian Mining Company (Maaden) in increasing its production and imposing global competition in the production of aluminum ore, which is a fundamental nucleus in different means of transport, as well as everyday consumer products, such as foil, pots and cans. Maaden has provided all facilities and support to achieve the aspirations of local and international companies to establish strategic alliances in this regard to activate its plans and benefit from aluminum savings in the Kingdom and work on the establishment of transformative industrial...
