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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Novelis CEO sees electric cars energizing aluminum makers
Aluminum makers, already benefiting from increased use of aluminum by auto makers, stand to gain further from growth in the electric car industry, Phil Martens, the chief executive of Novelis Inc., and a former Ford Motor Co. executive, said in an interview. Novelis, a unit of Hindalco Industries Ltd. , has invested over $550 million since 2011 to increase auto sheet production capacity in upstate New York, Germany and China, to produce more aluminum for cars. The company is now looking at further expanding production in the U.S. “I wish we had 100,000 tons more capacity,” Mr. Martens said. “We’re clearly looking at what to do next.” Electric cars are still a fledging, niche industry—and one that already uses aluminum. Tesla Motors Inc. makes its Model S sedan and forthcoming Model X...
Leading producers, global suppliers and industrial users of aluminium to gather at ALUEXPO 2015
ALUEXPO 2015 4th International Aluminium Technologies, Machinery and Products Trade Fair, organized by Hannover Messe Fuarcilik A.S., a subsidiary of Deutsche Messe, to take place between October 08-10, 2015, at Istanbul Expo Center Halls 9 , 10 and 11 supported by TALSAD - Turkish aluminium Industrialists Association. In ALUEXPO, leading national aluminium producers including TALSAD members and global aluminium supplier companies to aluminium producers will have a unique opportunity to exhibit their products and marketing. ALUEXPO will be held on a 9,000 square meter net stand area of over 20,000 square meter exhibition venue and around 350 exhibitors from over 30 countries and 10,000 visitors from over 70 countries are expected. ALUEXPO 2015 targets to create an effective business area...
Aluminium a stand out at Sculpture by the Sea
It is stylish, strong, lightweight, non-corrosive and shines brilliantly in daylight; all reasons why nine artists used aluminium in their Sculpture by the Sea artworks this year. 2015 marks the 11th year founding partner Alcoa of Australia has lent its support to the iconic sculpture showcase which runs from 6-23 March at Cottesloe Beach. Alcoa’s 11-year partnership includes a materials subsidy for selected artists choosing to create masterpieces in aluminium. This year five Western Australians received the aluminium subsidy - Ron Gomboc, Brad Jackson, Tim Macfarlane Reid, Olivia Samec and James Moe. “I’m fortunate to have gained Alcoa’s support for my aluminium sculpture ‘One Door Opens,” said acclaimed artist and Sculpture by the Sea’s newest Decade Club Member Tim Macfarlane Reid....
Alcoa Names José Aurélio Drummond President of Alcoa Latin America
Lightweight metals leader Alcoa today announced that José Aurélio Drummond will join the Company as President of Latin America effective March 9, 2015. Mr. Drummond, 50, will lead Alcoa’s Latin America region, supporting the Company’s transformation strategy through which Alcoa is growing its value-add businesses and creating a globally competitive commodity business. Mr. Drummond currently serves on Alcoa’s Brazil Advisory Board and previously held global leadership roles at Whirlpool Corporation for 14 years. He will be based in São Paulo, Brazil. “José brings significant knowledge of Alcoa and experience managing and growing global operations, making him uniquely qualified to lead our Latin America region where we are building our value-add businesses,” said Alcoa Chairman and Chief...
LME paid $2 mln by Rusal after court case; profit up 1 pct
The London Metal Exchange (LME) was paid around $2 million by Russia's Rusal after the aluminium producer lost a lawsuit over warehouse reform, the LME's owner said on Thursday. The hefty Rusal payment in February will provide a respite from heavy legal fees for Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Ltd (HKEx), which has been tied up in multiple court actions for its LME unit. HKEx annual results, which included the Rusal payment, showed its legal and professional fees jumped by 20 percent last year to HK$175 million, mainly due to legal costs of U.S. class-action lawsuits. Plaintiffs had accused Wall Street banks, commodity merchants and the LME of having colluded since May 2009 to hoard aluminium in warehouses. A U.S. judge this week dismissed the antitrust litigation. The Rusal payment...
Aluminium Bahrain puts off plans to list shares in Saudi Arabia
Aluminium Bahrain, the second-largest aluminum smelter in the Middle East, put plans to list its shares in Saudi Arabia on hold. “We did an initial evaluation and at the moment we are not actively pursuing it,” Chief Executive Officer Tim Murray said in an interview in Doha yesterday. Building the company’s sixth production line is “the main focus,” he said. Alba, as the company is known, has a primary listing in Bahrain with its global depository receipts trading in London. It produced 931,000 tons of aluminum in 2014 and plans to begin construction of a 400,000 ton per year plant once it receives final approval from Bahrain’s government, Murray said. The metals producer was hoping to capitalize on investor interest in Saudi Arabia as the biggest Arab stock exchange opens to direct...
Japanese aluminium buyer secures lower $380 premium in Q2
A major Japanese aluminium buyer has agreed to pay a producer premium of $380 per tonne for metal to be shipped in the April-June period, down from the previous quarter, a buyer source directly involved in the quarterly pricing talks said. The deal would mark an 11 percent drop from a record $425 per tonne PREM-ALUM-JP in January-March and is the first fall in six quarters, as regional supply climbs. Japan is Asia's biggest importer of aluminium and the premiums for primary metal shipments it agrees to pay each quarter over the London Metal Exchange (LME) cash price set the benchmark for the region. The buyer struck the deal earlier this week when a producer lowered its offer from an initial proposal placed last week, the source, who declined to be named, told Reuters. "We've made the...
Aluminium Closures takes centre stage at ProWein 2015
The “Aluminium Closures – Turn 360°” campaign will be present for the first time at ProWein (15-17 March 2015 in Düsseldorf), the leading international fair for the wine sector. The campaign, which promotes the advantages of the growing segment of aluminium closures for wines, is taking part in a dedicated “Packaging & Design” show adjacent to the ProWein Forum. The stand “Aluminium Closures – Turn 360°” organised by EAFA, the European Aluminium Foil Association, will be located in Hall 13 D44. There they will explain how wine makers, retailers and other professional users in catering and hospitality can benefit from the convenience, taste and quality protection, technological and economic advantages, as well as the sustainability and recyclability offered by aluminium closures. The...
Novelis and Henkel partner on advanced bonding technology for high-volume aluminum vehicles
Novelis, the world leader in automotive aluminum sheet, and Henkel Adhesive Technologies today announced the signing of a long-term agreement to collaborate on the development of advanced bonding technologies for the use of aluminum in high-volume vehicles. “Through a partnership built on a shared commitment to technology innovation, Novelis and Henkel are developing industry-wide solutions, without barriers to adoption, to make more aluminum-intensive vehicles a reality,” said Jack Clark, Senior Vice President and Chief Technical Officer, for Novelis. “Our goal is for these next-generation solutions to be adopted broadly by the aluminum supply base, free from licensing, because it’s the right way to ensure long-term success for our industry and our OEM partners.” The first product to...
Altech Chemicals Ltd secures partner to fund bulk kaolin study
Highlights - Altech secures partner to fund ~$100,000 bulk kaolin scoping study - MOU provides a First Option over 10Mt of kaolin, for a $1m share placement and 2% gross sales royalty - Second Option for a further 10Mt of kaolin, for an additional $1m share placement and 2% gross sales royalty Altech Chemicals Limited is pleased to advise that a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) has been signed with Dana Shipping and Trading S.A. (Dana) to fund a scoping study to assess the commercial viability of mining and processing bulk kaolin from the Company's Meckering kaolin (or aluminous clay) deposit (Meckering Deposit). Bulk kaolin is predominantly used in the ceramics, paper, rubber and paint industries. The estimated cost of the study is approximately $100,000. In return for conducting the...
Parth Alluminium Ltd calls for Board Meeting on March 10, 2015
A meeting of the Board of Directors of Parth Alluminium Ltd will be held on March 10, 2015, to approve the Draft Scheme of Capital Reduction of Parth Alluminium Limited, subject to necessary approvals. Shares of PARTH ALUMINIUM LTD. was last trading in BSE at INR 5.19 as compared to the previous close of INR 4.95. The total number of shares traded during the day was 200 in over 2 trades. The stock hit an intraday high of INR5.19 and intraday low of 5.19. The net turnover during the day was INR 1038.
Materialise releases aluminium 3D printing service
Belgian-based additive manufacturing and 3D printing expert, Materialise, has broadened its manufacturing offering with a new aluminium 3D printing service. AlSi10Mg will become the first metal option to join a portfolio of more than twenty 3D printing polymers currently offered to industrial customers. Jurgen Laudus, director additive manufacturing solutions, Materialise, said: “We believe that offering aluminium alongside a wide range of polymers allows us to be of better service to our customers. Aluminium is a perfect addition to the plastic materials we already offer and it opens doors for new applications.” AlSi10Mg is an aluminium alloy that combines good strength and thermal properties with low weight and flexible post-processing possibilities. For these reasons it is often used...
Aluminium-magnesium silicate can cure AIDS
Professor of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Professor Maduike Ezeibe, yesterday announced the development of a new drug that can cure HIV/ AIDS. Ezeibe told the Daily Trust in Umuahia, the Abia State capital, that the Aluminium-Magnesium Silicate has passed through “a series of successful tests.” “We are at the threshold of making history, in the sense that we seem to have with us something that will permanently take care of what over time seemed to have defied all solutions. We are talking about the latest discovery of Aluminium-Magnesium Silicate in Nigeria as possible cure for HIV/AIDS virus,’’ he said. He said research on the project started in 1994, when plasma samples from five infected patients were confirmed positive for HIV. Ezeibe added: “The existing...
Gulf Extrusions receives Gulf Aluminium Council Health and Safety Award
Gulf Extrusions (Gulfex), a leading global manufacturer of extruded aluminium products, was awarded the Gulf Aluminium Council (GAC) Health and Safety Award, during a special awarding ceremony held at the Gulf Hotel in Bahrain. The award was given to Gulfex in recognition of the company's implementation of excellent health and safety initiatives and its significant contribution towards the efforts to achieve key sustainability in the Gulf region. Modar Al Mekdad, General Manager, Gulf Extrusions, said, "We are truly honored to have been given this recognition by the Gulf Aluminium Council. This award serves as a testimony to the effective implementation of our strategic initiatives in health and safety, which has not only resulted in the improved welfare of our employees but has also...
Real Alloy is new name for former Aleris alloys business
Aleris, a Cleveland-based manufacturer of aluminum rolled products, has announced it has completed the sale of its recycling and specification alloys businesses, which operated as Global Recycling and Specification Alloys (GRSA). The sale has been completed to an affiliate of Signature Group Holdings for $500 million in cash and $25 million in Signature’s preferred stock. The sale, which was announced Oct. 17, 2014, includes 18 production facilities in North America and six in Europe that offer a range of metal recycling services and specification alloy products. “The sale of the recycling and specification alloys businesses will allow us to place a stronger focus on aluminum rolled products, ensuring that we are poised to capture the benefit of strong projected growth in a variety of...
Union County offering free scrap metal recycling
The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders announce the 2015 schedule of its free scrap metal recycling events. A wide variety of metal goods, from household appliances to gutters and sheds, are included in the program. "This countywide program helps to fill a service gap in some Union County municipalities that currently have no pickup for scrap metal recycling," said Freeholder Chairman Mohamed Jalloh. "As a community, we benefit across the board by recycling more and throwing away less waste - and we also stand to gain some revenue from the program." The scrap metal recycling program is available for use by households, commercial establishments, nonprofit agencies and other organizations. Starting on Thursday, March 5, and running through November, the program will be available on...
Clean Energy Council keen to clear air on RET
Protracted negotiations on the future of the Renewable Energy Target could be on the verge of a breakthrough with the Clean Energy Council in talks with Labor and the government on a deal. After Labor rejected the government’s latest offer on Monday, the CEC has made it known it is keen for a deal that would end the impasse, which has frozen investment in the renewables sector for a year and threatens to impose the existing scheme on energy intensive industries like aluminium for another year. After the government started negotiations around a “true’’ 20 per cent or about 27,000GWh by 2020, and Labor backed the existing 41,000GWh scheme, the government’s offer of 31,000GWh was rejected by the opposition on Monday. Labor, which backs an exemption for the aluminium industry, is pushing for...
Germany's Trimet orders ingot caster
TRIMET Aluminium from Essen (Germany) has placed an order with Hertwich Engineering for a horizontal continuous caster (HDC) for foundry ingots. This will enable the company to produce high-quality alloyed ingots. The annual capacity of the plant is 60,000 t. The HDC operates with an ingot format of approx. 2.0 x 3.5 inches. It is thus roughly 15 percent more productive than plants which produce the standard ingot format (2.0 x 3.0 inch). The casting capacity of the 32-strand caster is between 9 and 13 t/h and depends on to cast alloy. The Hertwich Engineering scope of supply includes the casting system consisting of casting tundish and moulds, a casting machine and the cooling water control system. It also encompasses a flying saw with swarf exhausting system and an automatic stacking...
