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...
Grow with
AL Circle
Centre recommends imposition of anti-dumping duty on ‘cast aluminium alloy wheels’
Aluminium alloys industry is set to grow along with India’s automotive sector. India is currently the second largest two-wheel motorized vehicle producer in the world and the seventh-largest automaker. The Government of India has recommended imposition of anti-dumping duty on ‘cast aluminium alloy wheels’ or ‘alloy road wheels used in Motor Vehicles’, whether or not attached with their accessories, of a size in diameters ranging from 12 inches to 24 inches either manufactured or exported from China, South Korea and Thailand into India. A Ministry of Commerce notification said that the above countries have exported ‘cast aluminium alloy wheels’ to India below its normal value and have adversely affected the domestic industry and hence the imposition of anti-dumping duty in order to remove...
China aluminum extrusion operating rate to fall further to 58% in May
The average operating rate at Chinese aluminum extruders is expected to fall another 7 percentage points from a year ago to 58% in May, Shanghai Metals Market foresees. Despite interest rate cuts by the PBOC, it is still difficult for aluminum extruders to secure loans from banks, SMM has learned. This will undermine production at extrusions. The average operating rate at 30 aluminum extruders in SMM’s survey sample was 56.7% in April, up 6.02 percentage points from March, but down 9.83 percentage points year-on-year.
BIR notes a rising demand of aluminium scrap in India
When scrap recyclers gathered in Dubai for the 2009 World Recycling Convention in May of that year, the scrap market was in a several-months long trough but rebounded soon afterward. David Chiao, newly-elected president of the Bureau of International Recycling (BIR) Non-Ferrous Division, expressed a sentiment that reconvening the BIR Convention in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, in May 2015 will produce a similar result. Chiao, of Uni-All Group Ltd., Atlanta, had been serving as interim president of the BIR’s Non-Ferrous Division but had the “interim” tag removed in Dubai after being elected to a three-year term as division president. Global market reports presented by Sidney Lazarus of South Africa-based Non-Ferrous Metal Works pointed to healthy overall demand for aluminum scrap and export...
Iran to construct high capacity aluminum factory in Arvand zone
Secretary of the Supreme Council of Free and Special Economic Zones Akbar Torkan announced that the council has approved the plan for the construction of an aluminum manufacturing plant in Arvand zone, in Southern Khuzestan province. "The project for the construction of an aluminum producing factory with the capacity of 4,700 tons per year…is on our agenda," Torkan, also Iran's senior presidential advisor, told FNA on Sunday. He underlined that the aluminum industry will help boost the Arvand zone's economy. In March, Torkan said Iran has paved the way for attracting more investments to the country's free trade zones through two scenarios. "There are two scenarios for attracting foreign investment to Iran's free zones; one is continuing our present moves despite the existing restrictions,...
Emirates Global Aluminium to spend $5bn boosting capacity
State-owned Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) is spending US$5.2 billion to boost capacity at its smelter in Dubai and build an alumina refinery in Abu Dhabi, a company executive said yesterday. EGA, the world’s fifth-largest aluminium producer, was formed last year with the merger of Abu Dhabi’s Emirates Aluminium (Emal) and Dubai Aluminium (Dubal). EGA is adding about 40,000 tonnes per annum to the 1 million tonnes per annum smelter at Dubal due for start-up in 2017 and it is building a 2.2 million tonnes per annum alumina refinery in Al Taweelah in Abu Dhabi set for start-up in the first quarter of 2018, said Mohammad Abdulrahman, EGA’s vice president, Emal Phase II and major projects. “To secure the raw material the decision was from the management that we need to have our own refinery...
Walker Marine wins award for the design of aluminium windfarm service vessels
New naval architecture consultancy business, Walker Marine Design Ltd, is off to a good start after securing a number of contracts for the offshore wind sector and wider marine industry. Founded by experienced Naval Architect James Walker, the UK-based company specialises in the design, repair and refit of commercial workboats, particularly high-speed light craft. It has the in-house capability to provide stability assessments, stability books and structural calculations for any marine structure. Walker Marine has recently been awarded the design of four aluminium windfarm service vessels for CWind. The designs are two 23m BV classed vessels and two 21m MCA vessels, and will be the first aluminium workboats to be added to CWind’s fleet. All four vessels will be fitted with MTU engines and...
Metalico reports loss for first quarter
Metalico Inc. has reported a net loss of $10.9 million for the first quarter of 2015, compared to a net loss of $3.9 million for the same time last year and a loss of $6 million for the prior year. Metalico also has reported sales of $75.9 million, compared to $118.5 million for the first quarter of 2014. The company says its results were affected by a sharp decline in ferrous scrap prices, which reduced inventory valuations and virtually eliminated margins on ferrous sales for the quarter. In addition, Metalico pointed to lower inflows and outbound volumes and lower average nonferrous commodity selling prices for the loss. Nonferrous pricing was affected by the continued strength of the U.S. dollar and weakening demand from Asia, which translated into a rise in finished metals products...
Aluminium prices surge 0.45% in futures trade aided by strong spot demand
Aluminium prices edged up by 0.45 per cent to INR 111.50 per kg in futures trade today as participants enlarged positions amid a firming trend at spot markets on strong demand. At the Multi Commodity Exchange, aluminium for delivery in May inched up by 50 paise, or 0.45 per cent, to INR 111.50 per kg in a business turnover of 291 lots. Likewise, the metal for delivery in June was trading higher by 40 paise, or 0.35 per cent, to INR 113.30 per kg in 37 lots. Marketmen said increased domestic demand from consuming industries at domestic spot market helped aluminium futures to trade higher.
Hind Aluminium announces closure of trading window
Hind Aluminium Industries Ltd has informed BSE that a meeting of the Board of Directors of the Company will be held on May 30, 2015, to consider and take on record the Audited Financial Results (AFR) of the Company for the year ended on March 31, 2015. Further, pursuant to SEBI (Prohibition of Insider Trading) Regulation, 1992 read with new of SEBI (Prohibition of Insider Trading) Regulation, 2015, the Trading Window in respect of dealing in the Equity Shares of the Company will remain closed for the period from May 15, 2015 to June 01, 2015 (both days inclusive).
EPA’s new restrictions may hamper Kentucky’s aluminium industry
EPA’s proposed rules threaten to dampen the aluminum industry in Kentucky which has just started coming out of trouble. Kentucky has attracted the aluminum industry because of its abundant coal and the lowest electricity bills in the country contributing 40 percent of America’s total aluminum production. However, with the EPA targeting Kentucky’s new and existing plants, it will threaten the energy-intensive aluminum industry as well. InsiderLouisville's David Serchuk reported in an article called "Aluminum: Kentucky's fast-growing stealth mega-industry" that aluminium will soon become a preferred metal for automobile parts. He also reported that the Kentucky Center for Economic Development has projected that aluminium sheet production for vehicle body will increase from 200 million...
Ford makes over another icon by going aluminum
The F-150 isn't the only Ford Motor Co. icon that's been changed to aluminum this year. Get behind the wheel of the 2016 Ford Explorer Platinum, which goes on sale in a few months, and you'll notice that something familiar is missing: the Ford Blue Oval. For the most expensive Explorer series ever, with a starting price of more than $53,000 with shipping, the company's logo has gone upscale. Instead of blue plastic, it's made of brushed aluminum to match accents used elsewhere in the cabin. It's a change suggested by CEO Mark Fields two years ago when, as COO at the time, he was reviewing a prototype with Michael Arbaugh, the Explorer's chief interior designer. "He asked if I'd ever thought of any other finishes," Arbaugh said during a media event in Southern California this month....
Aluminum Association bemoans China's removing aluminum duties
The Aluminum Association, Arlington, Virginia, has expressed disappointment in China’s Ministry of Finance’s decision to eliminate the 15 percent export duty imposed on aluminum rods and bars, both alloy and nonalloyed, as well as certain primary alloys. In a statement, the association, which represents U.S. and foreign-based companies and their supplies throughout the value chain, notes that the elimination of the export duties is “inconsistent with China's policy to discourage exports of energy-intensive products, a key element of the country's new normal that puts emphasis on sustainable, quality growth. The association also sees the change as having the potential to encourage unfair trade practices in the aluminum industry. “We urge the Chinese government to maintain global trade...
Rexam premiers new 400ml super sleek® can with launch of Strongbow range
Rexam has partnered with Heineken to launch a range of Strongbow Apple Ciders in Rexam’s brand new 400ml Super Sleek® can. The latest addition to Rexam’s sleek can range, the 400ml Super Sleek®, provides a stylish on-the-go packaging format, appealing to Strongbow’s key audience of twenty year old males and females. The only manufacturer in Europe to produce Super Sleek® diameter cans, Rexam’s unique 400ml Super Sleek® with a 202 end provides an additional Super Sleek® variation for customers and reaffirms Rexam as a market leader for offering the greatest range of cans. The Strongbow Apple Ciders cans use Rexam’s matt-over-varnish finish to give a premium feel and reinforce the brand’s position as the world’s number one cider. The stand out can designs reflect the refreshing range of...
Worsley Alumina demerges from BHP Billiton
Collie's Worsley Alumina has legally separated from BHP Billiton to join a new global resources company, South32. Worsley is a key asset for South32, which has operations across five countries and 11 commodities and more than 27,000 employees and contractors. The changes coincide with new leadership appointments at Worsley. Former refinery general manager Michael Rix has been appointed asset president overseeing Worsley’s integrated mining, refining and port operations. Michael said he was excited to lead Worsley through its transition to South32. “We have world-class people, assets and bauxite resources, which will immediately contribute to the success of South32,” Mr Rix said. “Through safe and efficient production, we will deliver more value to our people, our stakeholders and...
Jamaican Labour Party candidate urges changes in bauxite mining
Zavia Mayne, the Jamaica Labour Party's caretaker/candidate for South West St Ann, is pressing the Government to revisit bauxite mining operations in St Ann and other sections of Jamaica in light of the issues associated with the current practice of extracting the ore. "We support bauxite mining and the benefits that the country has derived from it. However, mining operations carry very serious social, economic and health issues that have gone unnoticed for in excess of 50 years. "The current discussions on the defining of the boundaries of the Cockpit Country and the discussions on whether bauxite mining ought to be allowed to take place in that region should be accompanied by a review of the effects of bauxite mining on rural communities," Mayne said. Mayne believes the Government...
Bauxite Resources Limited community advisory group established for Bauxite Mining
A Bauxite Mining Community Advisory Group (BMCAG) has been established as an initiative of Bauxite Alumina Joint Ventures (BAJV) and Bauxite Resources Limited, to develop the Felicitas and Fortuna bauxite mining projects North of Wundowie. The Fortuna Project is 100 per cent owned by BRL, has recently completed a scoping study and is undertaking follow-up studies in relation to obtaining port access required for direct shipment of bauxite. The Felicitas Project is being developed by BAJV, in which BRL is a partner, and is currently in feasibility stage. The Felicitas Project has a resource of approximately 230 million tonnes of bauxite and the Fortuna Project has a resource of 40 million tonnes of bauxite. Both projects offer significant benefits for the local community including local...
Showa Denko Group recycles 5.24 million aluminum cans in FY2014
Showa Denko and its Group companies continued to perform their aluminum can recycling activity in fiscal 2014 (April 2014 – March 2015), collecting approximately 5.24 million cans: equivalent to around 85 tons of aluminum when converted at the rate of 16.2 grams of aluminum per can. Showa Aluminum Can Corporation, a consolidated subsidiary of SDK, started its aluminum can recycling activity in 1972. The activity spread across the Showa Denko Group in 2001, continuing until today. In fiscal 2014, a total of 8,158 employees, or 98.0% of all Group employees in Japan, participated in the activity. The participation rate was the highest on record. The collected aluminum cans are purchased by the Group, and used mainly by Showa Aluminum Can Corporation to produce aluminum beverage cans. The...
Rexam’s JV in Guatemala receives international recognition for operational excellence
The Shingo Institute, part of the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business at Utah State University, has awarded Rexam’s Joint Venture with Envases Universales in Guatemala with the Shingo Prize. “Receipt of the Shingo Prize is a worldwide recognized symbol of an organization's successful establishment of a culture anchored on principles of enterprise excellence–principles such as respect for every individual, leading with humility, quality at the source, the quest for perfection, creating value for the customer, etc.,” said Mark Baker, executive director at the Shingo Institute. “Ultimately, these recipients are in a class of the best organizations in the world, regardless of industry or country. I congratulate all of the good people at Rexam ECA Guatemala for their great accomplishment in...
