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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Delhi to host 4th India Minerals and Metals Forum 2015
National capital New Delhi will host the 4th India Minerals and Metals Forum 2015 - Ferrous and Non Ferrous" on Wednesday. The event to be held at Hotel Le Meridien, will be inaugurated by Union Minister of Steel and Mines Narendra Singh Tomar. With the Indian economy expected to grow by over seven percent, sectors such as infrastructure and automobiles will receive a renewed thrust, which would further generate demand for power and steel in the country. This is expected to provide a major boost to the demand of minerals and metals. Minerals like manganese, lead, copper and alumina are also expected to witness double digit growth in the years ahead. There is significant scope for new mining capacities in iron ore, bauxite, and coal. India has an advantage in the cost of production and in...
Operating rate at Chinese aluminum rolling mills and extrusion sector to fall in June
Operating rates at Chinese aluminum rolling mills will fall in June due to softer end user demand, SMM predicts. Hot summer will undermine activity in construction, transportation, and home appliance sectors, hurting demand for aluminum plate, strip and foil. The operating rate in foil segment should drop to 61% in June from May’s 63.79%, and that in plate & strip segment should slide to 62% from May’s 63.07%. Operating rate at Chinese aluminum extruders is expected to drop to 58% in June as high temperatures will undermine productivity, SMM foresees. The rate at construction aluminum extruders will fall to 57% from May’s 59.19%, and that at industrial aluminum extruders will drop to 63% from 66.92% in May, based on SMM’s survey of 30 aluminum extruders in China.
MINTH starts construction of all-aluminum electric vehicle project in China Zhejiang
MINTH broke ground on its all- aluminum electric vehicle (EV) project in Jiaxing, Zhejiang Province, on June 19, cnmn.com reported. The project, with total investment at 1.5 billion yuan ($240 million), is scheduled to produce 200,000 EVs per year and yield 10 billion yuan in revenues once operational. The article is edited by SMM and is provided for information purpose only. SMM assumes no liability and does not warrant the accuracy, reliability or completeness of information contained or quoted in the article, either express or implied. SMM further disclaims any liability for losses in connection with the information contained or quoted in the article.
Inalum begins $1.9 billion expansion with new power plant
State-owned aluminium maker PT Indonesia Asahan Aluminium (Inalum) will spend around US$750 million on a steam-fueled power plant, which would double its production capacity, starting from mid-next year in anticipation of higher energy demand. Inalum president director Winardi Sunoto said Friday that the firm expected to cover 35 percent of the 600-megawatt power plant project from internal cash. It was now seeking to generate the rest from external sources. “The construction of the power plant will take up to 40 months, which is very long compared to a smelter or seaport, so it is the priority,” he told reporters after a meeting with Industry Minister MS Hidayat. The new power plant project is part of $1.9 billion that Inalum will spend on a wide array of development projects over the...
Aluminium glut to continue as smelters get lifeline of lower costs
The 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 transport and packaging may be drawn still lower towards levels that would force more supply to be shut down, analysts and industry sources said. Closures or lower output are needed to slash a surplus on global markets mainly due to surging output and exports from top producer China. Consultancy CRU has increased its forecast of a global aluminium surplus for 2015 to 963,000 tonnes. "Cutbacks are going to be difficult. Input costs have come down, so margins at producers may in fact have stayed OK even though prices have come down," said Robin...
Constellium and Linde announce joint development agreement for energy-saving re-melting technologies
Constellium N.V. and Linde Gases, a division of The Linde Group, announced today that they have signed a joint development agreement to use Linde’s oxy-fuel technology in Constellium’s recycling and melting furnaces, with a goal of cutting energy consumption by half while increasing melting rates by 20 percent. This announcement follows a long-term partnership with Linde in the area of energy-efficient re-melting technologies. The joint development agreement will build on the recent successful implementation of Linde’s technology in Constellium’s finishing and recycling aluminium facility of Neuf-Brisach, France, where two of the four rotary tilting furnaces have been converted to low-temperature oxy-fuel combustion technology. Following this implementation, Constellium was able to...
Hilton Head Brewing Company debuts in cans with Novelis evercan™
Novelis, the world leader in aluminum rolling and recycling, and Hilton Head Brewing Company today announced the launch of Hilton Head Brewing Company beer in aluminum cans, made from Novelis evercanTM – the world’s first and only certified high-recycled content aluminum can sheet. "Our customers have grown to love our beer on tap, and we're very excited to make it available on store shelves in cans made with evercan – the most sustainable option on the market," said John Rybicki, owner and brewer, Hilton Head Brewing Company. "By being in aluminum cans, fans of Hilton Head brews can now take them almost anywhere, thanks to their light weight, resistance to breakage and light penetration and infinite recyclability, and all with a smaller carbon footprint, thanks to evercan." Novelis...
European Flexible Packaging manufacturers concerned about raw material supply shortage
Flexible Packaging Europe (FPE) member companies, representing about 80% of the European turnover, have expressed concerns about the current raw material supply situation, during their recent annual conference in Dubrovnik. More than 30 ‘force majeure’ declarations by the leading polymer manufacturers in Europe, coming in a short time frame, has led to significant shortages in the supply which resulted in only about 80% capacity being available, depending on the polymer. The effect on converters means they may have difficulties in supplying finished products to meet their customers order requirements, particularly in the food and beverage sectors. FPE member companies have had to deal with increased complexity in their production schedules due the insufficient raw material supply. They...
Excellent prospects for automotive lightweight discussions at Shanghai Symposium
AUDI, GEELY and MAGNA together with DGS, Kurtz, Guangdong Hongtu, Kobelco, Sapa, Novelis, Strikowestofen, JSC and Voestalpine are going to present their newest lightweight achievements and competences at the up-coming Asia Automotive Lightweight Procurement Symposium, which will take place from the 6th – 8th of July 2015 at the Jumeirah Himalayas Hotel in Shanghai. A long list of International as well as national automotive lightweight executives have already signed up for the 2nd Automotive Lightweight Procurement Symposium. Beside a row of exiting speeches focused on the topic Automotive Lightweighting, supply chain and procurement management, the symposium is also an ideal location to interchange with executives from many leading OEMs and suppliers from all over the world. The...
Opel drops details on Astra K’s new, all-aluminum 1.4L Turbo engine
The new Opel Astra K- the ninth generation of Opel’s best-selling vehicle - will debut its sleek new sheetmetal to the public at the Frankfurt Auto Show in September. Similarly, Opel will also use the show to debut another crucial ingredient found under the hood of the new Astra - a new, all-aluminum 1.4L Ecotec Direct Injection Turbo engine. The new turbo four comes available in two states of tune: 125 hp or a slightly zestier 150 hp, and we’re told that the 1.4L can produce maximum torque of 245 Nm (180 pound-feet) from 2,000 RPM through to 3,500 RPM. Opel says it paid much attention to “dynamic responsiveness and high performance”, while also aiming to curb fuel consumption. Opel is also confident that the new engine will outperform even the 2.0L powerplants it currently offers and, as...
Dutch National Recycling Scheme reports robust recycling and recovery rate
The recently released 2014 Sustainability Report by Netherlands-based ARN indicates that the company achieved 96% recycling and recovery rate during the year. This comprises of 86.1% recycling and 9.9% energy recovery. It must be noted that the European region has set a target which requires 95% of the weight of a car must be recycled and usefully recycled. According to the company, it operates a post-shredder treatment (PST) facility in Tiel, which recycles around 40,000 metric tons of shredder residue every single year. The company expects the PST plant to go fully functional in 2015, with more processing capabilities. The National Recycling Scheme treats auto shredder residue from shredder companies across the Netherlands. ARN termed its performance as “excellent”, but stated that...
BMC launches 2016 aluminium TeamMachine ALR01 series
BMC have launched the new aluminium TeamMachine ALR01 road bike for 2016, inspired by their flagship carbon TeamMachine. The Swiss firm’s announcement follows the likes of Trek, whose Emonda ALR is based on their super-light flagship climbing machine, and will see – according to BMC – top-end performance delivered at entry-level. The new aluminium machine shares the traditional road geometry of its carbon sibling, based on ACE Technology-derived tube shapes, where thousands of possible iterations were put through a computer before the final frame was settled upon. Up front the bike will boast a full carbon fork, shared with the TeamMachine SLR03, while stiffness is said to be improved by the offset seattube. A tapered headtube (1-1/8” to 1-1/2”), asymmetric chain stays and a downtube and...
US Aluminum Consumption up 8.1% YTD in April
Demand for aluminum semi-fabricated (mill) products in the United States and Canada (measured in shipments by domestic producers plus imports) totaled an estimated 1,527 million pounds in April, increasing 7.8 percent over the April 2014 total of 1,416 million pounds. Aluminum sheet and plate totaled 848 million pounds in April, up 8.5 percent. Extruded products were up 6.4 percent year-over-year to 436 million pounds. Estimated shipments of aluminum ingot for castings, exports and other uses totaled 589 million pounds, down 6.9 percent from a year ago. Apparent consumption in domestic U.S. and Canada markets totaled 1,884 million pounds in April, up 6.7 percent over the April 2014 total of 1,765 million pounds. Through the first four months of 2015, estimated apparent consumption totaled...
Aluminum scrap exports in US up 11.7% in April
The U.S. aluminum industry purchased1 an estimated 775 million pounds of aluminum scrap during March 2015, according to aluminum recycling statistics published by the U.S. Geological Survey, Department of Interior, up five-tenths of one percent over the March 2014 total of 771 million. USGS estimates that recovery of aluminum and aluminum alloys totaled 661 million pounds, an increase of 1.3 percent year-over-year. Through March, preliminary data indicate that recovery of aluminum from scrap totaled an estimated 1,980 million pounds, up 4.2 percent over the 2014 YTD total of 1,900 million. U.S. exports of scrap, not included in the government’s consumption statistics, totaled 717 million pounds YTD, down 18.8 percent from the same period in 2014. Scrap exports totaled 291million pounds in...
Orbite to participate in a Cleantech investor event in London, U.K.
Orbite Technologies Inc. announced today that the Company will be attending the ROTH Capital Partners Cleantech Investor Access Day on Thursday, June 25, 2015 at the Dorchester Hotel in London, U.K. The event will feature 1-on-1 and Group Meetings, providing investors with an opportunity to interact with senior management of a select group of cleantech companies, representing a variety of industry verticals covered by ROTH research analysts. Following introductory remarks from the analysts, who will provide perspectives on investment themes across their coverage universe, investors will have the opportunity to meet with the participating companies. "European investors were first to recognize the cleantech theme, and Europe remains a very important demand driver for the industry," stated...
Bauxite Reserves grow in China Guizhou and prices rise due to rains
Bauxite reserves in China’s Guizhou province grew for four years running, according to the Guizhou Land & Resources Department. Bauxite reserve base in the province hit 133 million tonnes as of the end of 2014, up 1 million tonnes from 2013. The number of small bauxite mines in Guizhou has decreased sharply in the past few years due to stricter management by the local government. Bauxite prices in Guangxi and Guizhou rose in June as heavy rains hampered local mining activity. But SMM sees little room for more price gains. SMM bases its predictions on the fact that alumina prices in both provinces fell, which will pressure local bauxite prices.
Alba appoints two new managers to key departments
Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba), one of the leading employers in Bahrain, announced the appointment of S. Hussain S. Fadhel as the Manager of Reduction Lines 1-3 and Mustafa A. Rahman as the Manager for Carbon 3. Mustafa A. Rahman joined Alba in 2001 as a Laboratory Analyst and consequently worked in many departments within the company. In 2003, Mustafa was made Shift Supervisor, Reduction Line 4 and in 2012, was promoted to Technical Superintendent. Mustafa has a BSC in Chemical Engineering from the University of Bahrain as well as an MBA from the University of Huddersfield, United Kingdom. S. Hussain S. Fadhel started his career in Alba as a Senior Operator in 1996. He was promoted to Supervisor in 2003 and later made Superintendent in 2010 followed by Senior Superintendent in 2014. S....
China alumina output hits new high in May
China’s metallurgical-grade alumina output hit 4.76 million tonnes in May, up 12.9% from a year ago, SMM statistics showed. As of mid-June, new aluminum capacity in China had exceeded 2 million-tpy, while new alumina capacity was less than 3 million-tpy, boosting demand for alumina, according to SMM’s survey. High operating rate in Guangxi and Guizhou left local alumina supply plentiful. Alumina output in Shanxi and Henan held largely stable. It was speculated that 8% duty on Australian alumina export to China will be cancelled after the signing of Sino-Australia Free Trade Agreement (FTA) June 17. But SMM sees little impact on China’s alumina imports and prices from the tariff removal. One large alumina refinery and bauxite producer in Australia confirmed to SMM that China imported...
