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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China Zhongwang and Brilliance Bus join hands to successfully develop all-aluminium new energy public buses
China Zhongwang, the second largest industrial aluminium extrusion product developer and manufacturer in the world and the biggest one in Asia, announced that it has successfully designed, manufactured and developed all-aluminium new energy electric buses for Brilliance Bus (Dalian) Company Limited (“Brilliance Bus”). This co-operation marks China Zhongwang’s inauguration as the first and only aluminium processing enterprise in China to have the capability of undertaking both the design and manufacturing of all-aluminium new energy public buses. Brilliance BusDesigner Sun Hong said,“The strategic partnership between Brilliance Bus and China Zhongwang combines Zhongwang’s strengths in the development and formation of aluminium alloy, and welding of aluminium extrusion products, as well as...
LME Aluminum to rise next week, foresees SMM
Speculations about production cuts in Chinese smelters and high selling pressure are all set to drive LME aluminum prices to $ 1, 700 – 1,740 per tonne next week, says Shanghai Metals Market. Prime trading indicators- KDJ and MACD are both pointing upwards. A Strong US dollar, however, is likely to cap the price rise in the foreseeable future. In China’s spot market, no demand turnaround will keep favoring spot discounts at 60-100 yuan per tonne over SHFE 1508 contract.
Nalco signs pact with Rio Tinto Alcan
National Aluminium Company Ltd (Nalco), the navratna PSU under the Union mines ministry, has entered into an R&D (research & development) cooperation agreement with Aluminium Pechiney (AP) / Rio Tinto Alcan. The agreement was signed between B K Satpathy, executive director, Nalco and Bernard Allais, director (sales and marketing), AP Smelter Technology recently. N R Mohanty, chairman cum managing director, S C Padhy, director (human resources), K C Samal, director (finance) and other senior officials of Nalco were present on the occasion. Various developmental research activities in collaborative efforts will be taken up between the two companies under this agreement.
Japanese aluminum inventories fall as banks buy it up
The stock and finance trade is investing in Japanese aluminum again and republicans in the US House unveiled an $8.1 billion infrastructure bill. Big Banks Investing in Aluminum Again Aluminum stocks at major Japanese ports fell for the first month in more than a year in June as western banks started snapping up metal in Asia after spot premiums fell to two-year lows. Aluminum stocks held at three major Japanese ports fell 0.5% to 499,900 metric tons at the end of June from a month earlier, trading house Marubeni Corp. said on Wednesday. It was the first decline since March last year. Prior to June’s fall, stocks had risen to record levels over several months due to rising exports from China and lackluster Asian demand. Republicans Unveil Infrastructure Bill Republicans in the US House of...
HKEx says settlement reached on US aluminium price-fixing claims
Hong Kong Exchanges & Clearing Ltd said on Sunday it had settled two class-action lawsuit complaints against itself and subsidiary the London Metal Exchange (LME) over allegations of anti-competitive and monopolistic behaviour. The lawsuits, brought by small aluminium manufacturers in the United States, accused banks and traders of hoarding metal in LME warehouses, driving up the prices of industrial products from soft-drink cans to aeroplanes. Of 26 lawsuits filed against LME, 24 were consolidated into three complaints according to type of user: "first-level" purchasers that buy primary aluminium, consumer end users and commercial end users. "The consumer end user plaintiffs and commercial end user plaintiffs have entered into a settlement and mutual release ... to bring an end to their...
Aluminum output jumps to record in china swelling world glut
China’s aluminum output advanced to a record, underscoring the threat to global producers as low-cost capacity expands in the world’s biggest supplier. The country made 2.8 million metric tons of aluminum in June, 18 percent more than a year earlier, National Bureau of Statistics data show. Production climbed 12 percent in the first half to 15.61 million tons. New supply from China is forcing smelters elsewhere to cut output as exports surge and prices slump. Shipments from the country rose to the highest this year in June, boosting a global surplus of the raw material used in everything from cans and cars to aircraft and sending rates to the lowest since 2009. “The Chinese market is in a fundamental surplus and that’s growing,” said Ivan Szpakowski, commodities strategist at Citigroup...
India plans $3 billion aluminum smelter in Iran
India plans a $3 billion aluminum smelter complex in Iran, now that nuclear negotiations between Tehran and the P5+1 countries have concluded, media reports say. The idea was mooted in 2014 but India has been cooling its heels for the removal of sanctions on Iran to go ahead with the plan. India’s National Aluminium Co.(NALCO) is now seriously considering to implement the project after Iran and the P5+1 finalized their negotiations on Tuesday. The plan includes the construction of a smelter to produce 500,000 metric tons of aluminum per year and a 1,000-megawatt captive power plant. India’s coal stock is not sufficient to power its aluminum production and since imports of coal are not viable, the country has to look for reserves and build a plant abroad. Iran is using a mix of sources for...
Rio Tinto celebrates productivity growth in alumina sector
The second quarter results from Rio Tinto reveal that the company has seen an improvement in productivity at its Yarwun site. Alumina production recorded a five per cent growth compared with the first half of 2014. "We have maintained our emphasis on efficiency and protecting returns, which is reflected in this solid production performance," Rio Tinto chief executive Sam Walsh said. "We have also delivered three significant achievements within our growth portfolio "Our combination of world-class assets, financial strength, and operating and commercial excellence provides a sound base to continue to generate sustainable returns for our shareholders." Rio Tinto Alcan Yarwun processes alumina using the four-stage Bayer process. Highlights: • Iron ore production and shipments in the first...
Norsk Hydro: Long-term ICMS tax framework established for Hydro’s Brazil operations
The Brazilian state of Pará has published a long-term ICMS tax framework for the aluminium producer Norsk Hydro ASA and related entities, developed between the parties. A new 15-year framework will replace the existing ICMS deferral on July 17. “Our ambition is to develop robust and viable operations in Pará and to be an enabler for sustainable growth in the region. To do this, we need stable and predictable framework conditions. We are pleased to have agreed on a long-term ICMS framework for Hydro’s operations in Pará,” says Alberto Fabrini, executive vice president and head of Bauxite and Alumina in Hydro. The aluminium plant Albras, the alumina refinery Hydro Alunorte, and the bauxite mine Hydro Paragominas are covered by this framework. Hydro will publish further details on the...
Management Buyout at LA Metals
The management team at Smethwick aluminium extrusion company LA Metals has bought out the company's founding partners. The management buyout (MBO) was led by managing director Joe Mullally and sales director Andy Wolliscroft and supported by a commercial finance package from NatWest Structured Finance in Birmingham. Mullally said: "From a very solid base, LA Metals has flourished over the last few years and the timing was appropriate for an MBO to secure the company's future, whilst allowing the founding partners to take advantage of their retirement plans. "With the support from our current funders, NatWest, who have had a long association with LA Metals, we hope to be able to exploit opportunities throughout the region and grow the business in the niche areas that we have created." DNA...
India becomes the largest importer of aluminium scrap from Middle East
Nasser Aboura, chairman of U.A.E.-based Aboura Metals, said the nonferrous scrap sector in the Middle East and North Africa region has grown along with the oil and construction industries that have characterized the region in the past several decades. The region has exported considerable amounts of scrap to China, but Aboura said India is “the largest trading partner with the Middle East” and is one of the fastest-growing economies in the world. “Pre-2010, China was the largest importer of scrap metals from the Middle East,” said Aboura. India has subsequently assumed the No. 1 slot, with its annual imports of aluminium scrap far outweighing copper and lead scrap. Mohan Agarwal of secondary aluminium producer Century Metal Recycling, Palwal, India, said he foresees Indian demand for...
Aluminum-bodies push need for bonded riveting
The ongoing shift to increased use of aluminum in auto bodies is also leading to an uptick in the use of bonded rivets for attaching parts. Pfaff Autoworks is keeping up with the changes by training technicians in the proper use of bonded riveting. Today's most sophisticated cars are making more use of exotic materials. The days when welded steel was the only game in town are long gone. Today, cars like the Ford F-150 and Audi A7 are featuring much more aluminum than ever before. As OEMs use more of this lightweight metal, more parts are being joined with bonded rivets, and in turn posing new challenges for collision repair technicians. As it is, riveting can create stronger bonds between a vehicle’s body parts. A riveted body can better withstand a collision. But, if the rivets are not...
China aluminium output at record again
China's production of aluminiumr rose 3.3 percent from the previous month in June. New capacity continued to drive up production of primary aluminium to a fresh record of 2.76 million tons in June. In the first half, aluminium output jumped 11.7 percent from a year ago to 15.6 million tonnes. More than 2 million tonnes of aluminium capacity started production in the first half, said Xu Hongping, analyst at China Merchants Futures. Another 3 million tonnes of new capacity is likely to come onstream in the second half, she said. Production costs to many aluminium smelters had fallen due to weak prices of raw material alumina and coal, offsetting weak domestic prices AL-A00-CCNMM, Xu said. Xu expects aluminium production to rise further in the coming months.
Aluminium Association of India (AAI) meets government, seeks 10% import duty on Chinese imports
The Aluminium Association of India (AAI), the industry body of Indian aluminium producers, met the Secretary, Ministry of Mines and Chairman of Central Board of Excise and Customs on Thursday, seeking government action to protect the cheap imports and crushing meltdown in global prices by imposing an import duty of 10%. The delegation also proposed a protectionist policy of mandating Indian buyers to purchase the products of Indian aluminium producers. The association said the new projects set up by Indian players, which could double aluminium production in the country, were functioning at less than the capacity. Total imports to India have surged by over 159% to 1,563 kilo tonne (KT) in 2015 as against the import of 881 KT in 2011, according to AAI. The association said that imports,...
Vietnam plans to double the production capacity of the Tan Rai and Nhan Co projects
The Prime Minister’s recent working visit to the Central Highlands bauxite complex confirmed the great potential of bauxite exploitation there and aluminum industry development. Analysts once looked at Tan Rai and Nhan Co alumina projects with dubious eyes. However, it is obvious that domestic demand for alumina to make aluminum has become far higher than the output Tan Rai and Nhan Co can provide. The alumina output at the Central Highlands complex will not be enough for domestic use in the next three years. A report of the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT) showed that Vietnam has to import 100 percent of aluminum it needs, about 500,000 tons a year, worth $1.2 billion. The demand will increase rapidly as a result of the government’s policy on speeding up the development of support...
Altech Chemicals on development path for High Purity Alumina project
Altech Chemicals (ASX:ATC) is currently in the process of permitting, securing off-take interest and project financing for its High Purity Alumina (HPA) project. This is targeted towards breaking ground for project construction in the first quarter of 2016. In June, the company completed three months ahead of schedule a Bankable Feasibility Study that highlighted the potential of its HPA project to deliver high margins, strong cash flows, and rapid payback period. Key metrics from the BFS included: - Capital cost estimate US$76.9 million (A$98.6million); - Payback period 3.8 years; - Estimated pre-tax NPV of US$326.1 million (A$362.4 million) (at 10% discount); - IRR of 30.3%; - Long-term sale price forecast of US$23,000/tonne (A$25,560/tonne) for 99.99% (4N) product; - Cost of goods sold...
Norsk Hydro: Sapa (joint venture) - Announcement of results for the second quarter 2015
Underlying EBIT for Sapa increased compared to the previous quarter, due to seasonally higher sales volumes, strong North American market development, as well as improvement programs progressing ahead of plan across the organization. The second quarter results were also impacted negatively by sharply falling metal premiums in North America. Underlying EBIT increased compared to the same quarter of the previous year driven by strong North American demand, positive currency effects, as well as positive contributions from improvement programs and restructuring efforts. Underlying EBIT for the first half of 2015 improved by more than 70 percent compared with the same period in 2014, influenced by the same factors discussed above. Reported EBIT for Sapa for the second quarter was negatively...
Century Aluminum sets date for second quarter 2015 earnings announcement
Century Aluminum Company will report second quarter 2015 earnings on Thursday, August 6th after the close of market trading. The news release will be issued through Marketwired. The company will hold a follow-up conference call on Thursday, August 6th at 5:00 p.m. Eastern time. The earnings call will be webcast live on the Century Aluminum Company website. Plan to begin the registration process at least 10 minutes before the live call is scheduled to begin. A replay of the webcast will be archived and available for replay approximately two hours following the live call.
