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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Seminar on Smelting Technologies in GCC
The seminar concluded as a success in transferring knowledge from eminent experts to an industry and academic audience. This transfer of information furthers Qatalum and Hydro’s attempts to build a strong aluminium knowledge hub in Qatar, much to the appreciation of Qatar University. In between the 26th to 28th of May 2015, a seminar on “Research and Advances in Smelting Technologies in GCC” was organized at QSTP Doha. The presenters for this seminar were eminent researchers and R and D managers. For several years, Hydro QSTP had organized outstanding seminars and symposium in the downstream sector of the aluminium Industry. Qatar and the GCC are a major hub of global aluminium production accounting for over 10% of global production. Dr Chris Devadas who leads the Hydro Technology Centre...
Five aluminum smelters in Inner Mongolia not subject to tiered power tariffs
Five aluminum smelters in Inner Mongolia will not be subject to tiered power tariffs since their alternate current power consumption per tonne of aluminum liquid produced is below 13,700 Kwh, local media reported. These five smelters are: Inner Mongolia HMHJ Aluminum & Electricity Co., China Power Investment Huolinhe Coal & Electricity Group Aluminum Co., East Hope Baotou Rare Earth Aluminum Co., Baotou Aluminum Co., Inner Mongolia Datang International Renewable Resource Development Co.
Major technical collaboration gets off the ground
Taking another step towards strengthening the decade long relationship between the two biggest companies in the Aluminium Industry in India and in China, Mr. Tom Albanese, CEO of Vedanta Resources PLC, visited pioneer of Chinese aluminium industry technology, China Aluminum International Engineering Corp Ltd. (CHALIECO) on June 2. A MoU of technical cooperation was signed between the two companies. The two companies shall cooperate in technical innovation in various areas related to alumina, aluminium and downstream in terms of reducing energy consumption, optimization of nature resource utilization, waste management and new applications of aluminium alloys. Joint R&D between the two shall make the aluminium industry in India more competitive, environment friendly and sustainable....
Shree Narmada Aluminium Industries standalone net profit rises 122.92% in the March 2015 quarter
Net profit of Shree Narmada Aluminium Industries rose 122.92% to INR 1.07 crore in the quarter ended March 2015 as against INR 0.48 crore during the previous quarter ended March 2014. Sales declined 88.89% to INR 0.10 crore in the quarter ended March 2015 as against INR 0.90 crore during the previous quarter ended March 2014. For the full year,net profit rose 64.86% to INR 0.61 crore in the year ended March 2015 as against INR 0.37 crore during the previous year ended March 2014. Sales declined 2.88% to INR 3.71 crore in the year ended March 2015 as against INR 3.82 crore during the previous year ended March 2014.
Indian government to resume auction of coal
The Indian Government announced recently that the auction of coal blocks would resume soon where 10 mines with an annual production of 13.14 million tons would be put up for auction to cement, steel and aluminium companies along with captive power plants. The auction conducted by the Ministry of Coal would offer linkages to Coal India's production for a span of five years. Coal India share prices rose more than 4.5% to INR 405 on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) after it was declared that the company's production in May had risen by around 13% compared to the same period last year.
Alba opens new regional sales office in United States
Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba), one of the largest aluminium smelters in the world, announced today the opening of a new regional sales office in Atlanta as the most recent expansion of Alba in United States. Zac Jungers, recently appointed as the new Sales Manager for Alba Americas, will oversee the growth and development of this key market and, along with his team, will support initiatives that help in expanding the footprint of Alba's product portfolio within US. Jungers will be based at Alba's office in Atlanta Georgia, and will be reporting directly to the acting Chief Marketing Officer, Khalid Latif. Commenting on the opening of Alba's US sales office, Alba's Chief Executive Officer, Murray said: "Alba remains committed to expand its presence around the globe with the opening of a...
Odisha to push OMC's case for mining lease over Karlapat
The state government would move the Union ministry of mines to recommend grant of mining lease (ML) over Karlapat bauxite mines in favour of Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC). The Centre, in March this year, had decided to allocate the Karlapat deposits to the state run miner following a request from the state government to reserve the mines in favour of the PSU. "We would soon make a recommendation to the Union mines ministry to grant ML in favour of OMC. The prospecting license (PL) is not necessary in case of Karlapat bauxite mines since prospecting has already been done by the Geological Survey of India," said a highly placed government official. The state government had moved the ministry in June 2013, seeking the Karlapat deposits in OMC's favour, stating that it will be in the...
China launches pilot applications of Rare Earth High-Fe aluminum alloy cable
China has launched pilot applications of rare earth high-Fe aluminum alloy cable in Fujian Province, local media reported. Rare earth high-Fe aluminum alloy cable, self developed by China, has broken US monopoly over the past more than 40 years. This new cable is superior to copper cable and pure aluminum cable in terms of safety, energy efficiency, corrosion resistance, etc.
Global flexible packaging market to reach $99 bn in 2019
Aided by escalating demand from Asia Pacific and rest of the world, the global flexible packaging market is anticipated to reach $99.1 billion by 2019, according to a new Transparency Market Research (TAM) report. Based on volume, the demand for flexible packaging is expected to reach 24,728 kilo tonnes (KT) by 2019 from 18,666 KT in 2012. In the last couple of years, flexible packaging has led the food packaging industry from the forefront. Touted by leading analysts to be the fastest growing segment in the packaging industry, flexible packaging is poised to develop at a steady 4.4 percent CAGR, added the report. The report has identified Asia Pacific as the most lucrative regional market for flexible packaging. Other key regional segments of the global flexible packaging market include...
7-day drive to promote upcycling of waste materials
Waste materials like thermocol, plastic carry bags below 50 microns and aluminium food packets will turn into handicrafts thanks to a pilot project taken up by eCoexist and Studio Alternatives as part of the 'Green Idea' scheme supported by the state government. eCoexist and Studio Alternatives will launch a seven-day drive to collect thermocol, thin plastic carry bags and aluminium food packets from June 5. The project is a pilot experiment to design handcrafted items that can be made by underprivileged groups to help them earn supplementary income or solve some of their own basic housing issues. A statement issued by Manisha Gutman said that Dhara Kabaria, designer and founder of Studio Alternatives, has done postgraduate research in Design from Waste from the Kent Institute of Art and...
Hydro signs long-term power contract for Karmøy pilot
Norwegian aluminium company Norsk Hydro ASA's fully owned subsidiary Hydro Energi AS has signed a long-term power contract with Eidsiva Vannkraft AS, a Norwegian hydro power producer, for annual supply of 300 GWh annually over 10 years from January 1, 2021, and a total delivery of 3.0 TWh. Hydro has already signed power contracts for the Karmøy pilot with Axpo Trading AG for 250 GWh annually, in the period 2021-2030, and with Lyse Produksjon AS for 330 GWh annually, for the period 2031-2040.
Alba participates in 8th Harbor's Aluminium Outlook Summit
Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba), one of the world's leading aluminium smelters, was a key sponsor and participant in the 8th Harbor's Aluminium Summit, taking place from June 2 to 4, 2015 in Chicago, Illinois, USA. Harbor Aluminium Summit, considered as one of the largest aluminium market gatherings in the Americas, is designed for leaders in the aluminium value chain looking to expand their clients and suppliers base as well as understanding of the aluminum industry. Attended by Alba's Chief Executive Officer, Tim Murray, Acting Chief Marketing Officer, Khalid Latif and Sales Manager of Alba Americas, Zac Jungers, the company seeks to strengthen its presence in the global aluminium industry, and meet with key clients and customers at the 8th Harbor's Aluminium Summit. Murray was also a...
China's aluminium imports to rise due to attractive global prices
Chinese imports of primary aluminium ingot are likely to rise in coming months after the price of the metal fell on the global market, prompting end-users to buy, industry and trading sources said on Thursday. The weak London Metal Exchange (LME) price is opening a rare arbitrage opportunity for Chinese investors to sell aluminium futures in Shanghai and buy on the LME, which may result in some imports, the sources said. "We started selling more to Chinese end-users last week," said an Asian-based executive whose firm trades aluminium and also manufactures aluminium products in China. "China's imports will probably rise in the coming two or three months, although the rise may not be very big." Imports of primary aluminium fell 79 percent in the first four months of 2015 compared with a...
New, sleeker Samsung Smartphone built stronger with Alcoa's aerospace-grade aluminum
Lightweight metals leader Alcoa today announced that it is supplying a high-strength, aerospace-grade aluminum to Samsung for its latest smartphones —the Galaxy S6 and S6 edge. This marks the first time the global electronic giant will use an aluminum frame for its Galaxy S flagship model. The Company's aerospace-grade aluminum, 6013 Alcoa Power Plate™, is 70 percent stronger than standard aluminum used in similar devices, creating a thinner, lighter, sleeker design. "When we designed the metal framed Galaxy S6 and S6 edge, it was important to find a strong yet light metal that would create a device capable of exciting our customers," said DJ Koh, CTO and Executive Vice President of Mobile Communication Business at Samsung Electronics. "Alcoa's Power Plate is the perfect fit to create the...
Aluminium experts honour best-in-class safety solutions
At European Aluminium's Safety Workshop, held today in Brussels, the aluminium industry honoured the most innovative solutions for safe manufacturing. The use of a LED spot to warn employees when a crane is in operation was elected the best-in-class safety solution. Gerd Götz, Director General of European Aluminium, commented: "Today's safety solutions prove that the aluminium industry is leading the way in safe manufacturing. Underpinned by creative thinking and the use of innovative technologies, our solutions are applicable to many other manufacturing industries. Very often the most effective safety measures are easy to implement. All three front runners are perfect examples for our inventive, safety-conscious and forward-looking industry. This award is particularly valuable as the...
Packaging data confirms challenge for aluminium
Obligation data indicating the amount of packaging waste producers will have to recycle in 2015 has confirmed there could be a challenge in meeting demand for aluminium PRNs. The figures – which are subject to change as more producers submit market data – have been published by the Environment Agency and are available on the National Packing Waste Database. The data suggests that once aluminium tonnages carried over from 2014 are taken into account, reprocessors will have to recycle 68,119 tonnes of aluminium packaging in 2015. When compared to the performance in the first quarter of 2015, when 14,956 tonnes was recycled (22% of the obligation), this means that performance in the remaining quarters will have to improve in order for the target to be met. Some industry experts have claimed...
China Guangxi aims to reduce power costs for local aluminum smelters
The government of Guangxi is working to cut costs for local aluminum smelters by power tariff cuts and tapping into rich hydropower in neighboring provinces, CNMN reported. The local government will establish regional power networks and try to cut power tariffs from over 0.06 yuan (0.97 cents) per Kwh to about 0.03 yuan per Kwh for industrial power users. Besides, the government is also looking to tap into abundant hydropower in neighboring Yunnan and Guizhou, the media added. A 0.02 yuan per Kwh reduction in power tariffs could translate into over 2.600 yuan per tonne savings in aluminum smelting costs.
Lifetime warranty for Brooker aluminium boats
Australian aluminium boat manufacturer, Brooker, now offers its new boat owners a Lifetime Warranty option. Brooker says its boats have proven that they are “built to last”, a claim supported by the company's 49 years of highly-regarded boat building experience. Brooker says it has perfected its construction process using folded pressed support structure and side decks. Folding aluminium adds strength and support without comprising its structural integrity; Brooker’s support structure allows the internal floor depth to be deeper compared to the side heights, which allows a safer day on the water for the occupants.
