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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Malaysian state revokes bauxite mining licences over pollution concerns
A state in eastern peninsular Malaysia said it has revoked the mineral ore licences (MOL) of 34 contractors to curb rampant bauxite mining in the area, due to concerns over rising pollution from the activity. Only 11 operators with permission to mine, transport and export the mineral would now be allowed to operate in the state of Pahang from Aug. 1, state news agency Bernama reported on Sunday. The state government took the step after contractors ignored multiple warnings on rampant pollution. Local residents have complained of red dust from bauxite mines contaminating the villages when lorries transport the mineral ore to the port. Bauxite mines have sprung up in Malaysia since late last year, notably in Pahang's state capital of Kuantan, a district along the east coast facing the South...
MWSD promotes Xlite forged aluminium commercial vehicle wheels
Motor Wheel Service Distribution (MWSD) has launched a major campaign to promote polished Xlite forged aluminium commercial vehicle wheels in response to news that a major manufacturer has phased these products out of its portfolio. The exclusive Xlite distributor for the UK and Europe states that the polished forged aluminium finish remains “popular” and, as sales in this segment are growing, the rival manufacturer’s exit from this business presents it with an opportunity to grow market share. “Forged aluminium wheels come in three progressive finishes – machined, polished and premium, which in our case is called Xbrite – and our share of sales across these different options is largely equal,” comments MWSD managing director John Ellis. “Our market research shows that many operators...
Galena Brewing Company offers three beers in Rexam cans
Just in time for the prime summer months, Galena Brewing Company has expanded its packaging lineup to include three beers in Rexam 16 oz. cans. Anna Belle's IPA is a ruby beer with a burst of hop flavors and aromas paired with a solid malt backbone and a clean and pleasant bitterness that lingers on the palate. Farmer's Blonde Ale is a light ale with a crisp and refreshing flavor and a brilliant white head. Fevre River Ale Hefeweizen is a classic Bavarian style wheat beer with a medium to heavy mouth feel and refreshing taste that comes from banana and clove overtones. "Beer is born in metal tanks so it just made sense for us to use a package made of the same material, one that inherently protects it from its main enemies – light and oxygen," said Warren Bell, owner, Galena Brewing...
Saudi's Ma'aden Q2 net profit falls 27%
Saudi Arabian Mining Co (Ma'aden) posted a 27 percent fall in second-quarter net profit on Tuesday, missing analysts' forecasts as higher sales by the Gulf's largest miner could not make up for lower prices for its products. Net profit for the three months to June 30 was 270 million riyals ($72 million) versus 370.8 million riyals in the corresponding period of 2014, it said in a bourse statement. Three analysts surveyed by Reuters had forecast on average that Ma'aden would report a net profit of 380.4 million riyals. Ma'aden cited the falling prices for aluminium, ammonia and gold and an increase in costs from higher sales for the profit drop without elaborating. Saudi companies issue brief earnings statements early in the reporting period before publishing more detailed results later....
North American new Aluminum mill orders record marginal rise in June
The Aluminum Association’s “Index of Net New Orders of Aluminum Mill Products” for the month of June 2015 have increased slightly by 1.8% from the previous month. The orders jumped 7.6% from June ’14 levels. The year-to-date new mill orders index was up by 5.80% in 2015. New orders for plates have increased 4.5% in June this year when compared with the month before. The June ‘15 plate orders were up by 12.7% when matched with June ‘14 levels. The heat-treatable sheet orders during the month of June this year declined by 2.7% from May ’15. However, the orders climbed higher by 205.0% over the previous year. Non-treatable sheet orders were up by 9.4% year-on-year, but declined marginally by 1.8% from the previous month. New orders for extruded products and domestic can were up in June,...
Oyak to acquire alumina supplier Almatis
Almatis, a leading global supplier of premium alumina for the refractory, ceramic and polishing industries, has announced that its shareholders, including majority owner Dubai International Capital (DIC), have signed an agreement to sell the Group to Oyak, Turkey's largest private pension fund. Taco Gerbranda, chief executive officer of Almatis, said: “As a long-term investor, Oyak is expected to significantly strengthen Almatis' financial position and to support the group's continued growth. This is a major milestone for Almatis and we look forward to the completion of the transaction.” Completion of the transaction is conditional upon receipt of all relevant regulatory approvals. With more than 100 years of alumina expertise, Almatis is a world leader in the development, manufacture and...
"Currently the use of Aluminium seems to be the most viable option for high volume vehicle production," Mr. John Catterall, GSSLT Leader, Underbody Structure, General Motors
Mr. John Catterall has held a direct position at General Motors for over 15 years. His current responsibilities include leading the Global Subsystem Leadership Teams (GSSLTs) and direct management of the General Motors North America Advanced underbody engineering team. Mr. Catterall holds degrees in Mechanical and Production Automotive Engineering from Bolton Technical College and Leyland Technical College in England, UK. He is one of the expert OEM led speaker faculties in the Global Automotive Lightweight Materials Detroit 2015 to be held on August 18 - 20. An excerpt from his Pre-Conference Interview: What do you see as being the primary barriers to the wider application of lightweight materials in the automotive industry at the moment? So far to date most of the lighter/low density...
Metal companies to get battered for second consecutive quarter
The earnings performance of metal companies, both ferrous and non-ferrous, is expected to remain lacklustre for the second consecutive quarter because of a decline in steel realisation, increased cost of provisioning for the district mineral foundation fund, and a significant fall in aluminium premiums. “The June quarter will be the third consecutive quarter of net profit de-growth. Such consecutive de-growth was last witnessed in September 2009, during the global financial crisis,” said a report by Motilal Oswal Securities. “Metals will be reporting their lowest PAT (profit after tax) in eight years,” it added. Large integrated steel producers like Tata Steel, Steel Authority of India and Jindal Steel & Power and non-ferrous metal companies like Vedanta and Hindalco were expected to put...
Strong interest in Sapa’s automotive aluminium solutions
Aluminium and high-strength steel remain the top alternatives as the automotive industry’s material choices for lightweighting, says Dr. Jin Hou of Sapa Technology. Sapa, the world leader in aluminium solutions, had been invited by the organizers of the Asia Automotive Lightweight Procurement Symposium in Shanghai to present and discuss lightweighting with aluminium. Hou’s presentation covered automotive aluminium solutions and high-performance crash alloys. After listening to the technical presentations, Hou says aluminium and high-strength steel “still appear to be the top alternatives” as automotive’s material choices for lightweighting, while interest in magnesium and composite materials seems to be fading. Sapa’s presentation was well received. Discussion topics included Sapa’s work...
Chief Automotive Technologies to show aluminum repair technologies at NACE | CARS 2015
Chief Automotive Technologies will show NACE | CARS 2015 attendees how easy aluminum repair can be with the right equipment. NACE | CARS 2015 takes place on July 21-25 at Cobo Center in Detroit. "Many collision repair professionals are still in the learning phase with aluminum, and the metal's use in car and truck bodies continues to evolve," says Bob Holland, director of collision in North and South America for Chief parent company Vehicle Service Group (VSG). "That's why Chief's NACE | CARS 2015 objectives are to educate attendees about aluminum and help them upgrade their shops with the newest advanced aluminum welders and shop tools." NACE | CARS 2015 attendees can see Chief's latest aluminum joining equipment in action during live MIG/MAG welding and riveting demos on the trade show...
CPG Building Products introduces a low-maintenance aluminum railing
CPG Building Products, which comprises the AZEK and TimberTech brands of premium exterior products, introduces Impression Rail, aluminum railing that offers premium wrought iron aesthetics—but without the labor or expense. The railing's classic, crafted style in sleek black creates a striking effect when used with the AZEK or TimberTech expansive palette of deck colors. The versatility of numerous design options truly sets this rail system apart from others in the marketplace. Impression Rail features a unique system installs easily and intuitively, as a stand-alone aluminum rail or upgraded with the integration of AZEK and TimberTech's premium composite top rails and post sleeves. Impression Rail's lightweight profiles and best-in-class installation method will also save time and labor...
Metro Mining in halt to announce fundraising initiatives
Metro Mining is developing its Bauxite Hills Project at Cape York, Queensland, that could start direct shipping ore production by the end of 2016. The company is now in an ASX trading halt in connection with its fundraising initiatives. This will last until the earlier of the announcement being made or the start of trade on Thursday, 16th July 2015. In June, Metro Mining increased Ore Reserves at Bauxite Hills by 398% to 48.2 million tonnes, enough for a 27 year mine life at a rate of up to 2 million tonnes of direct shipping ore per annum. The Bauxite Hills Project is situated 95 kilometres north of Weipa on Queensland’s Cape York Peninsula and five kilometres south-east of the port at Skardon River. It has a high grade total alumina of 50.2% and reactive silica of 6.3%, which is typical...
Rapid expansions aggravate China aluminum supply glut
Aluminum oversupply in China is worsening as new capacity expands rapidly, Shanghai Metals Market understands. The country’s new capacity is expected to surpass 5 million-tpy this year, most of which enjoy low costs, SMM statistics showed. Capacity cuts, including capacity closed for maintenance, have been less than 1 million-tpy since the beginning of this year, according to SMM data.
Aluminum-carbon hybrid a more affordable alternative to pure carbon wheels
While companies like Ford are helping to bring carbon fiber wheels to the masses, the finicky production process and steep costs means it is likely years still before we see more cars adopt the technology. The good news is that a new wheel design combining carbon fiber with more traditional aluminum can provide much of the strength and weight-saving benefits of pure carbon wheels at an “attractive” price, say the developers of the technology. Behind the new aluminum-carbon wheels are German firms ThyssenKrupp Carbon Components and Maxion Wheels. ThyssenKrupp is a leader in carbon fiber applications and lightweight materials while Maxion is the world’s largest wheel manufacturer. Their new aluminum-carbon wheels are said to be as much as 40 percent lighter than forged aluminum wheels,...
Rexam partners with Concrete Cow to launch its first ever beer in cans
Rexam has partnered with local craft brewer, Concrete Cow, to launch the brand’s first ever beer in cans. Branching out from their bottled beer portfolio, the Concrete Cow MK IPA cans have been designed by Rexam and are inspired by the local Milton Keynes area, which is home to Concrete Cow, the famous Concrete Cow monuments* and Rexam’s largest UK plant. Rexam’s design experts, based in the Luton Design Centre that opened last September, worked closely with Concrete Cow for the rebranding exercise which saw collaboration from the initial briefing, through to concept development and finally on-can design proofing and production. Depicting the Milton Keynes skyline, the striking can designs incorporate structural and detailed drawings of the iconic Xscape snow dome and the Milton Keynes...
Aleris board of directors appoints Sean Stack as Chief Executive Officer
Aleris announced today that its board of directors has appointed Sean Stack to the position of chief executive officer. Stack most recently served as executive vice president and CEO, Aleris North America. With his appointment, Stack was also elected to the Aleris Board of Directors. Scott Graves, Aleris director and managing director and Head of Credit Strategies for Oaktree Capital Management, L.P. has been elected non-executive chairman of the Aleris Board. A fund managed by Oaktree is a majority shareholder of Aleris. Both appointments will take effect immediately. Steve Demetriou, who has served as chairman and chief executive officer since the company's inception in 2004 has made the decision to leave Aleris to pursue a new leadership opportunity. Demetriou will work closely with...
Nalco in R&D pact with Rio Tinto Alcan
National Aluminium Company Limited (Nalco), a navratna PSU under the Ministry of Mines, has entered into a co-operation agreement for research & development with Aluminium Pechiney (AP) / Rio Tinto Alcan. The agreement was signed between B K Satpathy, Executive Director (Business Development), Nalco and Bernard Allais, Director (Sales and Marketing), AP Smelter Technology on July 10, 2015. N R Mohanty, Chairman-cum-Managing Director, S C Padhy, Director(HR), K C Samal, Director ( Finance) and other senior officials of Nalco were present on the occasion. The two companies plan to take up several developmental research activities in collaborative efforts under this agreement, Nalco said in a statement on Monday.
Industry demands import duty hike on aluminium metal, scrap
To protect the interest of homegrown companies from rising imports of aluminium metal and its scrap, the aluminium industry has demanded that the Centre increase import duty on these products. As per statistics of Aluminium Association of India, Indian Aluminium Industry has seen a huge surge in imports in recent years from 8.81 lakh tonne in the year 2010-11 to 15.63 lakh tonne in 2014-15 financial year -- primarily from Middle East and China. Similarly, the import of aluminium waste and scrap has increased at a compound annual growth rate of 16 % in the same period. "The Indian Aluminium Industry is at a critical phase where it requires support from the government to maintain not only its current viability but also protect its growth plans that have significant economy contributions and...
