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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Altech Chemicals Ltd publishes March 2015 Quarterly Report
Altech Chemicals Ltd publishes March 2015 Quarterly Report on 30th May. Highlights of the report: Altech appoints BFS partners and key suppliers for HPA operation • Seatram appointed as Altech's transport and logistics services provider • M + W Group appointed as the EPCM partner to facilitate transition from BFS to construction • Tialoc Group (formerly Atea) appointed as composites supplier for Altech's Malaysian HPA plant • Castle Group as mining and processing partner for Altech's Meckering aluminous clay operation Malaysian subsidiary incorporated for HPA project • Incorporation of wholly-owned Malaysian subsidiary 'Altech Chemicals Sdn Bhd' on January 6, 2015 to support Altech's Malaysian-based activities Altech produces competitive HPA results • Analysis of Altech's HPA samples...
1.1 million aluminum tabs collected for Ronald McDonald House fundraiser
Local schools and individuals collected more than 1.1 million aluminum tabs in the Pull Tab Pandemonium fundraiser for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Mid-Missouri. The tabs will be sold to New World Recycling, which has drop-off sites in Columbia and Jefferson City. The price of aluminum fluctuates, but the 952 pounds of aluminum collected is expected to raise about $300, said Rachel Ellersieck, director of development and communication for Ronald McDonald House Charities. Taylor Carr and her family collected 345 pounds of aluminum, winning the family category. Mill Creek Elementary School in Columbia raised 55 pounds, Oakland Middle School in Columbia raised 45 pounds and Smith Cotton High School in Sedalia raised 63 pounds. Andrea Wemhoff collected the most tabs as an...
Minfa Aluminum to invest $99 million in aluminum alloy formwork project
Minfa Aluminum Co. raise no more than 613.63 million yuan ($99 million) via private placement to build 400,000 m2/yr aluminum alloy formwork project, it said in a statement. The project is scheduled to complete construction and enter operations in May this year, it said. This move will diversify product portfolio of Minfa Aluminum, which is now specialized in construction and industrial aluminum extrusion.
Rexam issues its Q1 trading update
Rexam, a leading global beverage can maker, is today issuing the following trading update for the period from 1 January 2015. Results for the Group are in line with our plans. Overall global beverage can volumes were up 5% (3.5% excluding the acquisition of UAC) in the first quarter. Volumes in Europe were strong driven by good growth in energy drinks and growth in Russia, UK, Germany and Italy. There were robust performances in India and Egypt, offset by softness in the Middle East. In North America, standard volumes were down in line with the market while specialty volumes continued to grow driven by energy drinks. Volumes in South America, after a strong start to the year, slowed down towards the end of the quarter, as expected, with continued growth in specialty cans outweighed by...
China top steelmaker to venture into automotive aluminum alloy segment
Baosteel Co. attended the recent Shanghai auto show and will soon release information concerning its foray into aluminum and magnesium alloy business, a source at Baosteel said. Baosteel’s automotive sheet sales soared from less than 1 million tonnes in 2011 to 7.25 million tonnes in 2014, claiming 50% market share. Such high market share will give Baoteel an overwhelmingly competitive edge in its bold venture into automotive aluminum sheet segment. Its decision to set foot into automotive aluminum sheet business is in response to increasingly fierce competition in ultra-high- strength steel market.
Demolitions to begin at Columbia Falls Aluminium Company plant
The long shuttered Columbia Falls Aluminium Company plant will now finally be demolished so that the property can be used for other purposes, the company announced. Some of the buildings in the property have been around for 50 years so salvage program has been initiated by CFAC and Calbag Resources of Portland has undertaken the contract for the demolishing and salvaging program. The work may be started as soon as next week, says CFAC. "They're going to start their work immediately on the stuff that's in their contract. Which is decommissioning the plant and taking down some of the buildings that won't be used for anything else," CFAC spokesman Haley Beaudry said. Beaudry says, it will be a difficult thing to see the plant disappear but they will stick to the decision taken and begin...
Alba celebrates winning two major awards by British Safety Council
Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba), a leading aluminium producer in the world, received international recognition for its strong safety culture when it was honoured with two major safety awards by the British Safety Council on April 24, 2015 at Grosvenor House, London. Alba was awarded with the International Safety Awards 2015 for its commitment and determination to prevent workplace injuries and maintaining safety and well-being of its workforce. This honour rewards organisations that show a real commitment towards improving corporate health and safety, and is acknowledged by the UK Health and Safety Executive as a powerful motivator for achieving high safety standards. Alba employee Ahmed Janahi also bagged the Health and Safety Champion Award, 2015 for his instrumental role in developing...
Century Aluminium running out of time to restart Ravenswood plant
Century Aluminum’s Ravenswood plant is facing troubles again as it is unable to secure a viable power rate plan and is running out of time. The power plan requested by the struggling plant cannot be approved without the consensus of the Public Service Commission said Appalachian Power but Century says it does not have time to wait. Ravenswood plant had shut down six years ago making 650 people jobless. A $20 million in tax credit has helped the plant to open its doors again but the Public Service Commission has rejected the company’s past plans that could transfer costs from Century to other customers if aluminum prices plunge. As a result, Century’s president, Michael Bless is faced with yet another tough decision and come to a conclusion as to what can be done about the power costs to...
Alcoa announces changes to its Board of Directors
Lightweight metals leader Alcoa announced changes to its Board of Directors today effective with the Company's Annual Meeting of Shareholders held in Pittsburgh. Dr. Judith Gueron, an Alcoa director since 1988 and its Lead Director since 2010, who did not stand for re-election when her term expired at the Annual Meeting, retired from the Board of Directors. Succeeding Gueron as Lead Director is Patricia Russo, a member of the Alcoa Board since 2008. "Judy Gueron has played an important role on the Alcoa board during the period of most dramatic global growth in the Company’s history, providing significant guidance on corporate social responsibility and public issues as Alcoa expanded into new regions and markets," said Alcoa Chairman and CEO Klaus Kleinfeld. "On behalf of the entire board,...
N R Mohanty assumes additional charge as CMD of NALCO
N R Mohanty, Director (Projects & Technical) at National Aluminium Company Ltd (NALCO) has been given additional charge as Chairman-cum-Managing Director of the navaratna PSU. The additional charge was given to Mohanty following the superannuation of Ansuman Das, a company statement said here today. Mohanty graduated in B.Sc Engg (Hons) in Mechanical Engineering from NIT Rourkela in 1980 and was awarded as the Best Graduate of Sambalpur University. He started his career from Larsen & Toubro and worked in BALCO before joining NALCO in 1986, it said. Mohanty has rich and varied experiences of more than 33 years in aluminium industry. He has worked in various capacities in the company's Smelter Plant and Corporate Office. Besides, he has also initiated various growth oriented greenfield and...
Xingan Chemical Alumina Plant closure unlikely to raise local prices
Xingan Chemical Alumina Plant shut down 1.8 million-tpy alumina capacity on April 25 due to an accident, Shanghai Metals Market has learned. It will take about 2 months for production to return to normal. Some traders raised offers by 40 yuan/tonne to 2,540 yuan ($415) per tonne immediately after the news. However, this closure is unlikely to push up local prices, Liu Xiaolei, SMM aluminum analyst said,, citing high alumina inventories in Shanxi and weak demand from aluminum smelters.
Orbite announces first quarter 2015 results
Orbite Aluminae Inc. announced the filing of its Consolidated Interim Financial Statements for the first quarter ended March 31, 2015. The Company reported a net loss of $2.7 million (or $0.01 per share) for the first quarter ended March 31, 2015, as compared to a net loss of $4.4 million ($0.02 per share) for the same period in 2014, representing a decrease of $1.7 million, or 39.1%. All dollar amounts are in Canadian dollars unless stated otherwise. First Quarter Highlights: • Cash and Short-Term Investments of $2.2 million as at March 31, 2015.With subsequent $10 million bought deal ($9.4 million net of underwriter's fee) announced on April 6, 2015, pro-forma balance of $11.6 million. • Short term loan increased by $3.0 million during Q1 2015 compared to December 31, 2014 due to the...
Thor Industries acquires Elkhart-based Postle Aluminum Co.
Thor Industries, a leading manufacturer of Recreational Vehicle (RV) has acquired Elkhart-based Postle Aluminum Co., according to their announcement on Friday, paying $144 million for the company. The company and its subsidiaries are one of the prime customers for Postle Aluminum thanks to the increasing demand for aluminium to create strong but lightweight RVs. “It made sense for Thor to protect its supply chain,” says Bob Martin, president and CEO of Thor. Thor allows independent operations to its subsidiaries posing no apparent threat for Postle to carry on business with other RV manufacturers along with the customers that are outside the RV industry. Martin says it will provide a little bit of diversification for Thor as well. In a release Martin says, "As a key supplier to our...
Queensland Bauxite Limited quarterly activities and cashflow report
During the recent quarter Queensland Bauxite signed a Heads of Agreement (HOA) with Far North Queensland Ports Corporation Limited (Ports North). Other Highlights: - Heads of Agreement signed with Ports North for Mourilyan Port - Environmental consultants progressing approvals - Investment by China Bauxite Trading & Investments Company in Queensland Bauxite - Rights Issue fully subscribed - Drilling - Optimising throughput of bauxite from Mine-to-Port - Continuing discussions and negotiations with potential off takers - Sea Transport Commodities Pty Ltd - Well funded to continue development and drilling: $6.503M cash The HOA gives a non-binding commitment of port capacity for product that is expected to be produced and exported from the South Johnstone Project ("South Johnstone" or "the...
Norsk Hydro: Sapa (joint venture) Investor Call – confirmation of date
Reference is made to the stock exchange release of February 5, 2015, announcing an investor call to be held by Sapa JV. The call will take place on May 18, 2015 at 3pm to 4pm CET. President & CEO of Sapa Svein Tore Holsether will give a 30-minute presentation, followed by a 30-minute Q&A session. Please use the link in the right-hand column to sign up for the conference call and for conference call details. Attached is also the link for the webcast to be used on the day of the event. Sapa is the world leader in downstream aluminium solutions - a result of the merger of the aluminium extrusion businesses of Orkla and Hydro. Sapa has a global reach and local presence within extrusions, building systems, and precision tubing. Sapa has 23,500 employees in more than 40 countries, and the...
GM is investing $5.4 billion to improve in US factories
General Motors announced today that it is investing $US5.4 billion over the next three years to expand and upgrade its US production facilities. This round of capital investments is expected to put the automaker’s domestic factories in a better position to handle upcoming new models GM is set to release in the coming years. Thus far, details for only a small portion of the multi-billion dollar investment have been released with $US783.5 million headed to a trio of Michigan plants. Of that total, $US520 million will be allocated to the Delta Township assembly plant for new tools and equipment, $US139.5 million will go to the expansion of the Warren facility, and $US124 million will be slated for the Pontiac Metal Center. “These investments are evidence of a company on the move,...
Dacheng advises Keno Aluminium on NEEQ listing
On 20 April 2015, Ningbo Keno Aluminium Co Ltd was successfully listed on the National Equities Exchange and Quotations (NEEQ) system. Dacheng’s Zhoushan-based team advised Keno Aluminium on the listing. Previously known as Ningbo Keno Aluminium Company Limited founded in 2006, Keno Aluminium is primarily engaged in the R&D, manufacture and sale of high-precision rail profiles for car sunroof, high-performing tubes, bars, and sections for cars, office facilities and parts, and other industrial aluminium-extruded products. In order to satisfy conditions for an NEEQ listing, the company, assisted by attorneys Mao Baolun and Zhang Guobin, was restructured into a joint-stock entity, had its internal rules and regulations and governance structure improved and offered securities to some of the...
Gulfex unveils new fire rated aluminium door
Gulf Extrusions (Gulfex), a leading global manufacturer of extruded aluminium products, has launched the Middle East’s first fully tested fire rated aluminium door, Fire-X87. With a fire rating integrity of 90 minutes, the company’s fire-resistant door has been proven to significantly reduce fire risk and promote higher level of safety and security, said a statement. The fire test signifies Gulfex’s firm goal to provide high quality products to keep its customers safe and protected. During the test held at Thomas Bell Wright Fire Testing facilities in Dubai, the fire-resistant door was subjected to and successfully withstood a temperature of over 900 degree Celsius for 90 minutes. In conducting the test, Gulfex complied with the international fire regulations and standards. Ihab Mouallem,...
