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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Aluminum processing capacity to hit 1.5 million tonnes in Qinghai’s Ganhe Industrial Park in 2015
Aluminum processing capacity in Qinghai’s Ganhe Industrial Park looks set to hit 1.5 million tonnes by the end of 2015, local media reported today. The industrial park has attracted many aluminum processors in recent years for easy access to aluminum liquid from smelters in the park. For example, 600,000-tpy precision aluminum plate project is scheduled to reach full capacity at the end of 2016. Ground breaking will start on 5 million-piece-per-year aluminum wheel rim project and 50,000-tpy construction aluminum extrusion project soon.
Aluminum Association applauds DOE's lofty loan
The Aluminum Association has voiced its support of the U.S. Department of Energy after it announced a conditional commitment for a $259 million loan to Alcoa, which was done in support of the aluminum producer’s automotive expansion. With the aid of the loan, the company will grow its Alcoa, Tenn. operations as well as develop improved vehicle technologies. The lofty advance signifies the first conditional loan issued since 2011 under the Advanced Technology Vehicles Manufacturing (ATVM) loan program. "This is a great example of the public and private sectors working together to meet manufacturing and energy challenges,” said Aluminum Association President & CEO Heidi Borck. “Aluminum is uniquely positioned as a modern, sustainable material option – it is lightweight, strong and...
Orbite enters supplier qualification program for five prospective customers
Orbite Aluminae Inc. is pleased to announce that it has shipped high purity alumina ("HPA") samples to five prospective customers, thereby entering their supplier qualification program. The samples were produced by calcining aluminum chloride hexahydrate ("ACH"), the precursor material for HPA, which was successfully produced at the Company's HPA facility in Cap-Chat in a production run during the third quarter of 2014. The ACH thus produced achieved purity levels in line with those required to produce 5N (99.999%) HPA. The ACH was subsequently decomposed and calcined using the Company's old calcination system, which was modified during the fourth quarter of 2014, as announced in the Company's November 5, 2014 press release. Overall purity levels of the shipped samples achieved 4N8...
UC RUSAL to modernize alumina production at UAZ
UC RUSAL, a leading global aluminium producer, announces the launch of a programme to increase alumina production at the Urals Aluminium Smelter (UAZ) to 900 thousand tonnes. Investment in the project is expected to be over USD23 million. The programme is aimed at boosting annual alumina output at UAZ from 770 thousand tonnes to 900 thousand tonnes by the end of 2016. The programme foresees construction of a new autoclave battery, installment of two new precipitators and other large-scale industrial equipment. Design work is already underway. Design of the precipitators, heat exchangers and disk filters is expected to be completed by RUSAL-VAMI by the end of April. Design of a new autoclave battery is planned for completion by the end of July, with construction scheduled to commence...
Oman's National Aluminium to start production from expanded facility by early 2016
National Aluminium Products Company (Napco) will commence production from its expanded facilities by the first quarter of 2016. Napco is implementing a major expansion programme to double its extrusion capacity and quadruple powder coating services, the company's chief executive officer Robert Holtkamp told Times of Oman. "We are midway through the civil works on a 15,000 square meter-plot and expect the civil phase to conclude by June, 2015. This would bring our total operating land space to roughly 65,000 square metres. We are bringing in two more extrusion presses from Spain and one vertical powder coating line from Italy. By the end of 2015, we will have a total of four extrusion presses, vertical and horizontal powder coating lines, one anodizing line, two wood-finish lines, a...
Alexandria Industries’ CEO awarded Distinguished Service Award by AEC
Alexandria Industries’ CEO, Tom Schabel received the Distinguished Service Award from the Aluminium Extruders Council (AEC) considered to be their highest honour recognizing exceptional dedication and service to the industry. Schabel has been a member of the Council since 2005, serving as the Chairman from 2009-10 with experience in the field of aluminium extrusion and precision machining industry since 1977. The most notable contribution made by him is to protect the industry from illegal and unfair trade practices of Chinese extruders by leading AEC to take up the issue with the U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) resulting in the imposition of the Fair Trade Act. Leaders recognize Schabel’s involvement in the industry. “He helped re-invent the Aluminum Extruders Council, taking it from a...
Stanford researchers invent aluminium batteries that charge in 1 minute
Researchers at Stanford have invented a new technology in battery, building an aluminium battery that is flexible and can be charged in 1 minute. As use of smartphones escalate, the issue of battery backup continues to grow forcing people to carry along charging cables or powerbank everywhere. This battery, in contrast to lithium-ion batteries promises to be cheaper, safer and last longer, the researchers assured. The battery contains negatively charged aluminium anode and positively charged graphite cathode suspended on a ionic liquid electrolyte which can be housed in polymer-coated pouches making them flexible as fell as less susceptible to fire and explosions. However, the challenge at present is to find materials capable of producing sufficient voltage after repeated cycles of...
Aluminium gains by 0.4% on global cues
Aluminium prices gained 0.41% to INR 111.55 per kg in futures trade as speculators enlarged positions amid positive cues from global markets. Besides, increased demand at domestic spot markets influenced prices. At the Multi Commodity Exchange, aluminium for delivery in April rose by 45 paise, or 0.41%, to INR 111.55 per kg in a business turnover of 265 lots. Also, the metal for delivery in May traded higher by 40 paise, or 0.36%, to INR 112.25 per kg in five lots. Market analysts said the rise in aluminium prices at futures trade was due to a firming trend in copper and other base metals at the London Metal Exchange where trading resumed after the Easter holidays amid rising demand at spot markets here.
Qatalum at AMPS conference wins award for Quality
Qatalum plays an important role amongst Hydro’s Primary Metal group. At the AMPS Conference in Norway, it highlighted advanced improvement initiatives and picked up an award, led by similar improvement practices, for customer satisfaction. Qatalum delegates participated in the AMPS Conference from 24th March to 26th March in Oslo. AMPS is Hydro's common platform for continuous improvement which has been developed based on lean principles. On the market day of the conference, multiple Hydro smelters shared their best practices based on AMPS principles which are similar to QPS principle in Qatalum. Vivek Swarnkar and Tausif Shaikh presented Strategy Deployment implementation in Reduction. Alton Singh and Geir Nilsen presented Qatalum’s Central Maintenance process. Both the presentation were...
Aziana Limited selling its Manatenina bauxite project to Thankys Exports
Aziana Limited is selling off its Manatenina bauxite project of Madagascar to Thankys Exports Pvt. Ltd and a conditional sale agreement has been decided upon by the two parties. As per the conditions of the purchase, the buyer company will pay a total purchase amount of $2 million to seller company in addition to a royalty of $0.50 per ton of bauxite extracted from the mines. A minimum royalty amount agreed upon in the agreement is $200,000 per annum that Thankys has to pay to Aziana whether there are any mining activities taking place or not. In case of mining, the minimum royalty amount will stay the same or will be subjected to royalty obligation if more than 400,000 tons of bauxite is mined. The agreement also lists a number of conditions including, completing a second phase of due...
Alba focuses on Change Management
Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba), a leading aluminium smelter in the world, held a strategic offsite meeting titled ‘Preparing for Change Management’ for all executive management on Tuesday, March 31, 2015 at Alba Club with the aim to strengthen the company's competitive edge. This meeting was part of Alba’s Executive Education series and was led by the Company’s Chief Executive Officer, Tim Murray. The meeting focused on the challenges facing the aluminium industry and how does Alba align its priorities to achieve its objectives. Commenting on the offsite meeting, Alba’s Chief Executive Officer, Tim Murray said: “Alba and the aluminium industry are facing very challenging times with falling prices and rising input costs. The world is rapidly changing and we must change faster if we want...
Certifications to international standards successfully achieved at Emirates Global Aluminium
In keeping with corporate commitments to excellence and sustainability, deliver high performance aluminium and ensure well-being of the people, Emirates Aluminium Company Limited PJSC (EMAL), an operating subsidiary of Emirates Global Aluminium PJSC (EGA), recently achieved three Certifications by TUV Rheinland after successfully completing manifold assessments at various levels in the organization. These included the ISO/TS 16949 Technical Specification (particular requirements for the application of ISO 9001:2008 for automotive production and relevant service part organisations); ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems standard; and OHSAS 18001 Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems standard. In addition, following rigorous assessment by an independent agency, EMAL's...
China to add 1 million-tpy aluminum capacity in Q2, SMM sees
Close to 2 million-tpy new aluminum capacity entered production in China from November through Q1, and an additional 1 million-tpy is about to come online in Q2, Shanghai Metals Market foresees. Falling power costs is the main incentive behind the aggressive expansions. The weighted average cash cost for operational aluminum capacity in China dropped 800-1000 yuan () per tonne year-on-year in Q1, SMM data showed. This is due to the growing use of captive power and falling coal prices. New capacity concentrates in Xinjiang, Inner Mongolia and Shandong, where power costs are comparatively lower. Some 500,000 tonnes of capacity was idled in Q1, 150,000 tonnes were closed for maintenance, but 400,000 tonnes of idled capacity returned to production, SMM statistics showed.
Orbite completes bought deal financing for $10 million
Orbite Aluminae Inc. today announces that, further to its press release of March 31, 2015, it has completed the first portion of the public offering of units in the amount of $10,000,000 under the short form base shelf prospectus and prospectus supplement dated March 18 and March 30, 2015 respectively (the "Offering"). Euro Pacific Canada Inc., the Underwriter under the Offering, still has an option to purchase an additional $5,000,000 of units within 30 days from the date hereof. "We are very pleased we managed to raise funds in excess of the $8,500,000 bought deal portion," stated Glenn Kelly , CEO of Orbite. "It is very rare that a pre-revenue company manages to get a bought deal, and we believe this speaks to the strength of our story. We continue to progress towards completion of our...
Queensland Bauxite substantial holder China Bauxite Trading lodges notice
Queensland Bauxite has received a notice of initial substantial shareholding from China Bauxite Trading & Investments Company (CBTIC) with a 9.1% interest. CBTIC had invested $910,000 in the company through a placement priced at $0.014 per share, giving it 65 million shares in QBL. Proceeds from the placement will be used to finance further development of the potentially 2015 producing South Johnstone Bauxite project. CBTIC was founded by Yongjin Li who spent 15 years working for China Non Ferrous Metal Corporation (CNNC), the former parent company of CHINALCO, CNMC, JNMC and Minmetals. Li spent 15 years working for CNNC and was a Project Manager in charge of importing and exporting of non-ferrous metal for their alumina refineries. He also held the position of marketing manager with Sino...
SDK completes expansion of high-purity aluminum foil plant in China
Showa Denko has completed construction work to expand its capacity in China to produce high-purity aluminum foil, which is a major material for aluminum electrolytic capacitors. The expanded plant went into quantity production this April. Aluminum electrolytic capacitors are used in wide areas such as electric appliances, IT devices, electric vehicles, hybrid cars and equipment for power generation utilizing renewable energy sources. Especially in China, the demand for medium- and high-voltage electrolytic capacitors is expected to increase in applications including power conditioners for environment friendly cars and solar power generation. Showa Denko Aluminum (Nantong) Co., Ltd. (SDAN), a consolidated subsidiary of SDK, has been conducting final processing of rolled aluminum foil as...
Santa Fe Solid Waste Management Agency plans to expand; requests bids
The Santa Fe Solid Waste Management Agency is planning to expand and is requesting bids from private contractors who will be able to process and market the entire supply of residential and commercial recyclables it receives from Santa Fe and the surrounding areas. The agency at present deals with limited materials, including newspapers, corrugated cardboard, brown paper bags and aluminium cans. With the expansion, the agency hopes that the winning bidder will be able to include more recyclable materials to their list. Santa Fe is otherwise known as an environment-conscious region however, its recycling rates have fallen below national and state standards recently. In 2011, the city’s recycling rate was 9% which fell to 8.4% in 2013, despite the constant campaigns designed to reach out and...
Ford says aluminum repair smooth so far
It's early, but Ford says it's so far so good on repairing damaged 2015 F-150 pickups with aluminum bodies. Ford has not heard of any dealers or independent body shops having problems obtaining parts, installing parts or dealing with insurance companies about the time it takes to repair the new pickup, said Ford spokeswoman Elizabeth Weigandt. Ford estimates that 80 percent of body repairs will be routine fixes involving steel bumpers, grilles, mirrors and surface panels. "Ford has been planning for this vehicle since 2009," Weigandt said. "At this time, everything is going according to plan, and we have not noted any issues requiring a change. We will continue to monitor and will respond accordingly if needed." Since production of the 2015 F-150 pickup began last fall, more than 100,000...
