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 bauxite import to rebound from May’s fall
China’s bauxite imports will rebound from May’s decline, driven by growing demand and low input stocks, Shanghai Metals Market predicts. Bauxite demand will grow, due to expansion at Shandong Weiqiao Pioneering Group, upcoming restart of 500,000-tpy alumina project at Shandong Lubei Chemical, and commissioning of 300,000-tpy alumina technical upgrade project at Chongqing Bosai Minerals. Besides, raw material stocks at alumina refineries fell, another incentive for imports. China imported 3.83 million tonnes of bauxite in May, down from April’s up 4.72 million tonnes, but up 80.51% from a year ago, customs data showed.
Bankable feasibility study confirms Altech’s high purity alumina (HPA) project
Altech Chemicals Limited announces the positive results of its Bankable Feasibility Study (BFS) for the development of a 4,000tpa high purity alumina (HPA) processing plant at Tanjung Langsat, Johor, Malaysia and an associated kaolin beneficiation plant at Meckering, Western Australia to provide feedstock for the HPA plant (the Project). The financial and technical outcomes from the BFS are particularly compelling and it is now the Company’s intention to move to secure the required equity and debt funding that will enable it to rapidly transition the Project to final design and development. Highlights • Bankable Feasibility Study (BFS) successfully completed three months ahead of schedule • Compelling financial and technical results: o Capital cost estimate US$76.9 million (A$98.6million)...
GAC, Government of Guinea sign four agreements on infrastructure development projects in the region of Boke
Guinea Alumina Corporation SA, a mining development company wholly owned by Emirates Global Aluminum PJSC, signed a series of four agreements in Paris, France, with the Government of the Republic of Guinea - the latter represented by the Ministry of Mines and Geology and the National Agency for Development of Mining Infrastructures. Also present and party to the agreements were Compagnie des Bauxites de Guinée and Compagnie de Bauxite et Alumina de Dian-Dian. The four agreements comprised: • A Multi-User Operations Agreement covering the access conditions and joint investment in the railway; • A Port Operations Agreement covering the modalities of operation and investment in the Port of Kamsar; • An Infrastructures Agreement covering GAC’s access rights to the existing infrastructures;...
Rusal spends $500,000 monthly to maintain ALSCON
The management of the Aluminium Smelter Company of Nigeria (ALSCON) says it spends $500,000 (about N10 million) monthly to maintain facilities and equipment at its factory located in Ikot Abasi local government area of Akwa Ibom State since it took over the plant in 2007. It adds that more than $130 million has been invested in the smelter to modernise facilities beginning from 2007 when the company began operations. In an exclusive interview with Businessday in this office at Ikot Abasi, the company’s Managing Director, Zaviyalov Dmitry said while the plant was in operation, it suffered many disruptions in gas supply which he said resulted in partial and later full suspension of operations adding that the company incurred huge losses running into millions of US Dollars on remedial works...
BIR updates on aluminium scrap price
According to BIR Non-Ferrous World Mirror June 2015, aluminium scrap prices in Japan have dropped by 3-5% over the last month or so in response to a weaker LME. Scrap availability remains unchanged and local secondary smelters are continuing to seek more domestic raw material. Demand for basically all aluminium grades is 'very robust' in Mexico in light of orders from new automotive plants and their suppliers, thus offering early evidence that the country's footprint as an aluminium scrap importer 'will grow significantly'. In the Middle East, falls in LME aluminium and copper put pressure on scrap prices ahead of the holy month of Ramadan which began on June 18 and generally brings a slower period for business. Despite the general economic well-being in the UK, the domestic scrap...
An alumina coating process fit for service in space
A nanoceramic alumina coating process for aluminium printed circuit board (PCB) components was presented by Cambridge Nanotherm Ltd at the recent Electronic Materials and Processes for Space (EMPS) workshop which took place in April 2015 at the German Space Operations Centre near Munich, Germany. Giles Humpston, Field Applications Manager at Suffolk-based Cambridge Nanotherm Ltd, opened proceedings with his company’s nanoceramic alumina coating process for aluminium printed circuit board (PCB) components, which enhances the material’s thermal and electrical properties. Established methods for applying alumina coatings to a metal, such as anodising, plasma electrolytic oxidation and spray coating can already produce effective mechanical coatings. But their high surface roughness, low...
Aluminium witness up 1.27% at 107.55 , trading range 105.6-109.2
Aluminium settled up 1.27% at 107.55 rallied after improved manufacturing data from top consumer China bolstered sentiment, though gains are expected to be capped by seasonal demand weakness ahead and the strength of the dollar. But still sentiments remain weak as concern prevails in the market in regards with the prices outlook as Global aluminium production growth is on a surge again as the latest figures from the International Aluminium Institute showed daily average output in May falling marginally from April’s 158,100 tonnes to 157,800 tonnes. Aluminium market is unlikely to see enough producer cutbacks to reduce oversupply in coming months as currency benefits and cheaper inputs have allowed most smelters to stay out of the red. That means the price of the lightweight metal used in...
China aluminum prices to fall next week on no sign of demand turnaround
Aluminum prices in China’s spot market will take a hit next week as demand is unlikely to turn around amid strong pessimism, Shanghai Metals Market foresees. Spot aluminum should trade at discounts of 70-120 yuan per tonne over SHFE front-month contract. Selling pressure at highs will keep SHFE 1509 aluminum contract in check within 12,650-12,800 yuan per tonne. The rise in LME aluminum this past week was accompanies with an increase in positions, a sign of improved market sentiment. As such, LME aluminum might rise to challenge resistance at the 2-day moving average and move between $1,700-1,740 per tonne.
Merlin Cycles revamps its road bike range
Merlin has announced a new four bike range priced between £599 and £1999. Merlin Cycles has developed a reputation for selling well equipped bikes at very reasonable prices and has now introduced a new range of aluminium framed and carbon road bikes. There are more details on Merlin’s website, but here’s a summary of the new bikes. Starting with the base model, the £599 FF1 has an aluminium frame and carbon bladed fork and comes equipped with Tiagra ten-speed shifting, an FSA Gossamer compact chainset, Tektro brakes and 4ZA wheels and components. Pay £100 more and the front and rear derailleur and shifters are upgraded to 11-speed 105, there’s Shimano braking and the wheels are Fulcrum Racing 7 LG. Next up is the ROC at £775 and designed for sportive riders. Again it’s an aluminium frame...
Pembroke Auto Parts hosts aluminum clinic at Algonquin College
Owners, managers and techs in the Ottawa area had chance recently to get up to speed on aluminum welding techniques when Algonquin College and Pembroke Auto Parts hosted a clinic to teach the new techniques necessary to repair aluminum bodied vehicles. Aluminum welding and repair techniques are looming large in the minds of many repairers. Normand Carriere, owner of Pembroke Auto Parts, a local NAPA store, told Collision Repair magazine that demand for the clinic was high. According to Carriere interest in aluminum welding is growing. “It’s not just about the F-150 ... a lot of vehicles are using aluminum these days,” he says. The clinic took place at Algonquin College and was attended by more than 30 industry stakeholders. The training presented included a classroom presentation,...
Outotec to deliver anode rodshop technology to China Xinfa Group's aluminum smelter in China
Outotec to deliver anode rodshop technology to China Xinfa Group's aluminum smelter in China. Outotec has received an order for rodshop technology from Chiping Xinyuan Aluminium Co. Ltd, a subsidiary of China Xinfa Group, a leading aluminum producer in China, for their new aluminum smelter in Shandong province. The order value exceeds EUR 12 million and it has been booked in Outotec's 2015 second quarter order intake. Outotec's delivery includes process engineering and proprietary process equipment as well as services for the commissioning and operational support for a new anode rodding shop, which is part of the new aluminum smelter. The new smelter is expected to produce annually one million tonnes aluminum. The deliveries will take place in 2016 and include both local and offshore...
8 more coal blocks lined up for auctions: Coal Secretary
The Centre is ready to put up eight more coal blocks for auction after it concludes the third bidding round in August, said Coal Secretary Anil Swarup. Addressing a conference on Metals and Minerals organised by the Indian Chambers of Commerce here on Wednesday, Swarup said, “We have identified eight more blocks which would be offered after the third round of auctions. In a year’s time we believe that coal availability will cease to be problem.” In the third round of auctions, which is expected to be complete by August 17, on offer are 10 blocks for the unregulated sectors of steel, cement and captive power plants. Swarup added that he expects fewer bids from aluminium companies, which will leave more coal for the steel sector. “Most of the aluminium plants have already bid and won in the...
‘Malaysia is the Winner’: Indonesia ban drives miners abroad
Indonesia’s ban on ore exports, which choked off shipments of bauxite, spurred local companies to head to Malaysia, underlining the challenges that Southeast’s Asia biggest economy faces in trying to boost metals processing. At least five Indonesian miners invested in Malaysia by the end of last year, teaming up with partners to extract bauxite and ship it to China, according to Erry Sofyan, chairman of the Association of Indonesia Bauxite and Iron Ore Producers. More companies may follow, Sofyan said in an interview in Jakarta. Indonesia was the top bauxite supplier to China before the government introduced the ban in January 2014. The policy, which also covered nickel, aimed to compel investments in higher-value processing facilities to address concern the country was selling off...
Aluminum Precision Products pounds out 50 years of metal service
Satna Ana-based forging company Aluminum Precision Products, founded in 1965, will celebrate its 50-year anniversary in October. As the aerospace industry took off back then, APP opened its doors to booming opportunities. It started out as an 8,000 square foot plant with 10 employees and now has 21 facilities, more than 700,000 square feet of production area and a team of nearly 1,000 employees. The company makes aluminum parts, including landing gear, cowling hinges, door latches and brackets for the aerospace industry. Customers in the aerospace market include Boeing, Airbus, Embraer, Lockheed Martin, Honeywell, Learjet, Bombardier, Gulfstream, Cessna, Northrup Grumman, Sikorsky, and Bell Helicopter, among others. Other industries that use APP products include firearms, medical, outdoor...
Passive House Institute accredits Sapa's WICLINE 95 window series
The WICLINE 95 window series is one of the most advanced aluminium-frame components to be accredited by the Passive House Institute – and the second accredited passive house window that is being produced by the Sapa group. The WICLINE 95 series is manufactured by Wicona, while the Avantis 95 series is produced by Sapa Building System. Both products have been accredited by the Passive House Institute, an independent research institute located in Darmstadt, Germany. Wicona and Sapa Building System are aluminium systems brands owned by Sapa. Wicona’s new window series maximizes energy efficiency to meet passive house criteria, and it allows design flexibility with its modular design. WICLINE 95 achieves a Uf value up to 0.68 W/(m²K) and a Uw value less than 0.80 W/(m²K), without the need for...
ISRI raises opposition against federal metal theft bill
The Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) joins the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) in their protest against Congressional attempts to impose a federal solution to combat metal theft. In a letter sent earlier this month to all U.S. Senators, NCSL wrote that a federal metals theft law “may preempt some state laws and hinder the work that is underway in the states to battle this problem.” “A federal metals theft law is simply unnecessary since all 50 states have already enacted metals theft legislation,” said Robin Wiener, president of ISRI. “Recyclers across the country have worked closely with law enforcement and elected officials to pass strong legislation to effectively address the specific needs of their communities. A federal law would only add a layer of...
UC Rusal signs a multilateral agreement on the exploitation of the existing railway infrastructure in the Boke province, Guinea
UC RUSAL, a leading global aluminium producer, announces the signing of a Multi-User Operation Agreement (“agreement”) on existing railway infrastructure in the Boke province, Guinea, within the framework of Dian-Dian project. The agreement has been reached between Compagnie de Bauxite et d’Alumine de Dian-Dian (RUSAL), Agence Nationale d’Aménagement des Infrastructures Minières, Compagnie des Bauxites de Guinée and Guinea Alumina Corporation. The agreement allows the transportation of bauxite, including that mined at Dian-Dian, using the existing railway infrastructure in the Boke province and creates an environment for the further development of project transport infrastructure. Vladislav Soloviev, RUSAL’s CEO commented: “This agreement is the first in African history between the state...
AAMA releases updated documents on aluminum finishes
The American Architectural Manufacturers Association has updated and released two documents specific to aluminum finishes: AAMA 612-15, Voluntary Specification, Performance Requirements, and Test Procedures for Combined Coatings of Anodic Oxide and Transparent Organic Coatings on Architectural Aluminum, and AAMA 2603-15, Voluntary Specification, Performance Requirements and Test Procedures for Pigmented Organic Coatings on Aluminum Extrusions and Panels (with Coil Coating Appendix). AAMA 612 describes test procedures and performance requirements for architectural quality combined finishes of anodic oxide sealed with a transparent organic coating, commonly referred to as the “combined coatings,” applied to aluminum extrusions and panels for architectural products. Similarly, AAMA 2603...
