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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Pro Fin Capital Services Ltd's subsidiary to commence bauxite mining from 1st week of March
Pro Fin Capital Services Ltd's subsidiary, Tera Natural Resources and Pellets Private Limited ("Tera") has already obtained the lease for bauxite mining in Kolhapur District, Maharashtra. Tera would begin commercial operations in the first week of March 2015 as all other necessary approvals are obtained from the authorities. Shares of PRO FIN CAPITAL SERVICES LTD. was last trading in BSE at INR 247 as compared to the previous close of INR 242.2. The total number of shares traded during the day was 31360 in over 463 trades. The stock hit an intraday high of INR 290 and intraday low of 223.4. The net turnover during the day was Rs. 7733139.
Columbia Falls Aluminium owner opposes Superfund listing
While the Montana Governor joins the fight to get the long shuttered Columbia Falls Aluminium Co. plant on the Superfund National Priorities List, the owner of the plant continues to oppose the listing of the 120-acre land saying it would slow the cleanup process and hinder developments in the area. The abandoned area has now been deemed a hazardous waste site as it is polluting the groundwater with contaminants like cyanide, arsenic, lead and fluoride according to an EPA study. The Superfund is a federal environment program that funds cleanup of hazardous sites, however the former external affairs manager of CFAC, Haley Beaudry, says that the federal involvement in the matter will only make the process unnecessarily lengthy. Glencore plans to tackle the situation by developing a plan to...
Emal products rated for sustainable building by leed and dgnb
Products manufactured by Emirates Aluminium Company Limited PJSC (" EMAL ") - an operating subsidiary of Emirates Global Aluminium PJSC ("EGA") and the world's largest single-site primary aluminium smelter - have been declared suitable for sustainable building practices, as per the applicable criteria defined by two internationally acclaimed bodies, namely: • The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design ("LEED") green building programme launched by the US Green Building Council ("USGBC"); and • Deutsche Gesellschaft für Nachhaltiges Bauen e.V. ("DGNB", which translates as the German Sustainable Building Council), which strongly promotes sustainable and economically efficient building. The declaration follows rigorous assessment of EMAL 's products by an independent agency, GCAS....
Rexam and Carlsberg celebrate first ever cradle to cradle certification for a beverage can
Rexam is delighted that Carlsberg has received the first ever Cradle to Cradle certification for a beverage can, having been awarded a bronze level certification from the Cradle-to-Cradle Products Innovation Institute for cans supplied by Rexam into the UK market. The certification is part of Carlsberg's Circular Community initiative. The Rexam cans are the first of any of Carlsberg's packaging to receive a certification and the award marks the first time a beverage package has been certified by the Institute. Rexam was a founding partner of Carlsberg's Circular Community initiative back in 2013. The community uses the Cradle-to-Cradle design framework and sees Carlsberg working with its suppliers to encourage innovation and quality in the industry, in pursuit of zero-waste. Rexam's...
SAF announces the certification of their RainScreen architectural panel system
Southern Aluminum Finishing Co., (SAF), announces the certification of their Series 4000 RainScreen Drained & Back-Ventilated ACM Panel system to meet Florida Building Code and the requirements for High Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ) standards required for Florida construction. Architects & design/build contractors can now specify/install the Series 4000 RainScreen Panel System for Florida commercial building cladding. The prefabricated SAF engineered panel system reduces job-site installation time and hassles. 4000 RainScreen passed the TAS301 Test Protocol established for Miami-Dade HVHZ which includes TAS 201 (Large Missile); TAS 202 (Air, Water & Structure); TAS 203 (Pressure Cycling). Certifications issued for the SAF Series 4000 RainScreen system include panels from three major...
Brewery Terra Firma employs Mobile Canning Systems for packaging their drink
Brewery Terra Firma is joining hands with Michigan Mobile Canning Systems to package gallons of Manitou Amber Ale into sixteen-ounce aluminium cans which will be ready to hit the shelves by spring. John Niedermaier had been waiting for the shipment of 65,000 prototype cans to reach him until they finally arrived on February 20th which meant that he could finally put his brand of beverage in the cans and launch the first run of the brewery’s product in cans. The Brewery was opened in the summer of 2013 across a 10-acre plot in the Garfield Township with plenty of room for expansion when the time is right. Niedermaier grows his own pumpkins and hops which he uses to create special brews. The money for the canning was raised through a public fundraiser campaign throughout January yielding...
Alba adds new rectiformer to Line 5
Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba), a leading aluminium smelter in the world, successfully completed the integration of an additional Line 5 Rectiformer (R50). The Rectiformer is a critical piece of power equipment used in the smelting process. The addition of R50 will further enhance Alba’s ability to meet future creep capacity objectives as well as provide added backup protection. The entire project – managed by Alba Power Department -- was achieved with a remarkable 223,000 man-hours of work without a single LTI, thus strengthening Alba's reputation one of the leaders of workplace safety. The project was successful executed in 22 months without impacting metal production. Speaking on this achievement, Alba’s Director for Power, Amin Sultan said: “Alba is committed to remain a globally...
Rusal predicts an improved demand for aluminium spurred by automakers
The aluminium market may be headed for a profitable 2015, with an estimated rise of 6.5% in global demand, based on the observations and forecasts expressed in Rusal’s Quarterly Report for the year ending in December 2014. The company reported a rise in demand in the global market to 55.2 million tons from the previously forecasted 55 million tons, marking a rise of 7% compared to the same period of 2013. Automakers have already reported a record amount of aluminium consumption with more people choosing the metal as a viable alternate for steel as a result of the falling prices and new technological breakthroughs. Rusal predicts that demand from the automotive industry will rise by another 7% in 2015 as automakers tilt further towards the lighter aluminium along with the current rise of...
Alumina Limited breaks dividend drought
Alumina Limited has broken a three-year dividend drought after posting a slightly better than expected underlying profit of $US91.1 million ($117 million). Shareholders in the company, which operates a joint venture with American aluminium giant Alcoa, have not been rewarded for their patience since February 2012. However, on Thursday, they were given a US1.6¢ dividend per share. The dividend was below the US2¢ dividend that analysts surveyed by Bloomberg had expected, and well below the US4¢ dividend predicted by JPMorgan. The payout comes after a much brighter year for aluminium producers, which have seen aluminium stockpiles decline and bauxite prices firm. Alumina also thrives when the Australian currency is weak against the US dollar. The company's chief executive, Peter Wasow,...
Aluminum Association reports North American downstream market updates
Aluminum Association reports North American (US & Canada) downstream market updates for the month of January 2015. New can stock (class) scrap receipts totaled 57.3 million pounds during January 2015, a decrease of 4.4 percent from the January 2014 total of 59.9 million pounds. Compared to the previous month, class scrap receipts declined 1.5 percent from the December 2014 total of 58.1 million pounds. Preliminary class scrap receipts for 2014 totaled 702.4 million pounds, off 4.8 percent from the 2013 total of 737.6 million pounds. Estimated shipments of Aluminum Forgings and Impacts by U.S. and Canadian producers totaled 27.1 million pounds during January 2015, an increase of 12.0 percent over the January 2014 total of 24.2 million pounds. Compared to the previous month, shipments...
Aluminium up by 0.2% on high demand
Aluminium futures edged higher by 0.23% to INR 111 per kg today after speculators enlarged positions amid pick-up in demand at spot markets. Furthermore, a firming trend in metal at the London Metal Exchange (LME) on fall in its inventories supported the upside. At the Multi Commodity Exchange, aluminium for delivery in February rose 25 paise, or 0.23%, to INR 111 per kg, with a business turnover of 184 lots. The metal for delivery in March also gained 20 paise, or 0.18%, to trade at INR 111.95 per kg in a turnover of 13 lots. Marketmen said a firm trend in the metal at spot markets on increased demand from consuming industries and firming trend at the LME influenced aluminium prices at futures trade here. In the international market, aluminium rose as much as 0.5%, the first gain in four...
Century Aluminium negotiating a viable power plan to restart Ravenswood plant
Century Aluminium announced its quarterly earnings on Tuesday and also said that they are working towards reopening the shuttered Ravenswood plant through an ongoing negotiation with Appalachian Power for a sustainable power contract. CEO Michael Bless announced that they have already submitted a formal power proposal to the company in January and there has been a response from them but did not share any details. It is only clear at this point that the two parties have not reached a common agreement ground. The Jackson County plant has been idled since 2009 in the height of Great Recession and the company is constantly looking for a viable power plan to restart the project. There have been various steps taken by the state government including bills that provide tax breaks and alternate...
ADC completes inquiry into anti-circumvention activity in relation to aluminium extrusions
The Anti-Dumping Commission (“ADC”) has completed its inquiry into the alleged anti-circumvention activity of five importers (“Importers”) of aluminium extrusions exported by Pan Asia (“Goods”), which have allegedly avoided the intended effect of the duty imposed on certain aluminium extrusions imported from China. The findings set out in the ADC’s Final Report (“Report”), include that: • goods subject to dumping and countervailing duties were exported to Australia from a country to which the notice applied; and • the Importers sold the Goods in Australia without increasing the price commensurate with the amount of the duty payable under the Dumping Duty Act (by way of selling the goods at a loss). As a result of these findings, the Anti-Dumping Commissioner (“Commissioner”) has made...
Premium AEROTEC and Aequs Aerospace start off their 7 year partnership at Aero India 2015
At Aero India 2015, Premium AEROTEC received the first aluminium series components from Aequs Aerospace as part of a long-term agreement to supply the Airbus Legacy programme. "For Premium AEROTEC this is the start of a strategic partnership with Aequs Aerospace and reflects an important step we are taking to reorient our supply chain in collaboration with global partners in the detail parts sector," said Florian Mack, Head of Strategic parts procurement at Premium AEROTEC, during the celebratory hand-over of the first components at the international Aero show in Bangalore. According to Mack, Aequs offered a very attractive value proposition from its precision engineering ecosystem, located in its Belagavi SEZ. "As an established supplier to the Airbus Group, Aequs Aerospace provides...
Sarginsons Industries to the aluminium die-casting partners to AMCC
Sarginsons, an advanced aluminium diecasting firm in Coventry will now form a partnership with the new £14m National Advanced Metal Casting Centre, paving the way to forming the link between fundamental research and full-scale industrial trials. The engineering firm, post its newly acquired partnership with Brunel University based AMCC, is shipping out the Jaguar Land Rover diecasting tool to Italy. This tool which is used to create specific parts like casting for safety critical components, will then be assemble into a new low pressure diecasting machine, ready to be installed in its new home – the AMCC research building. Subsequently over the next five years, Sarginsons will support the machine and provide the technical expertise required to operate the unit in a £250,000 investment....
Sesa Sterlite shares end higher as Balco bags 2 coal mines
Shares of Sesa Sterlite ended almost 1 per cent higher today after the company's subsidiary Bharat Aluminium Company (Balco) bagged one more coal block in the first tranche of auction. The scrip ended the day with a gain of 0.94 per cent at INR 219.45 on the BSE. During the day, it rose by 3.24 per cent to INR 224.45. At the NSE, shares of Sesa Sterlite settled 0.64 per cent higher at INR 218.70. "Sesa Sterlite was up as its subsidiary BALCO won Gare Palma IV/1 coal block at INR 1,585 per tonne and the company also proposed its name change to Vedanta," said Aamir Mir, Senior Analyst, HBJ Capital. On the volume front, 7.47 lakh shares of the company changed hands at the BSE and over 63 lakh shares were traded at the NSE during the day. "Gare Palma IV-1 mine closed at INR 1,585 (per tonne)...
Second phase of coal auction in India postponed to March 2
The government's proccedings for the second phase of the auction of Schedule III coal blocks has been postponed till March 2. The decision is pursuant to a petition filed by Sarda Energy in Delhi High Court, and which will be heard on February 27. The auction proceedings were supposed to begin on February 25. Coal Ministry officials, however, said the process of auction is ongoing, and that only public announcements have been paused till first week of March. The Coal Ministry will announce the name of qualified bidders on March 2 and e-auction will begin on March 4 which will run till March 8, said a senior official. About 131 bidders submitted technical bids for 19 coal blocks on February 15. The technically qualified bidders were to be selected and announced by the nominated authority...
Century reports fourth quarter 2014 financial results
Century Aluminum Company reported net income of $61.8 million ($0.64 per common share) for the fourth quarter of 2014. Results were positively impacted by $6.9 million ($0.07 per common share) for purchase accounting related to the acquisition of the remaining 50.3% interest of Mt. Holly and negatively impacted by $5.0 million ($0.05 per common share) in non-cash, non-recurring pension charges and by $2.6 million ($0.03 per common share) related to the separation of former senior executives. Sales for the fourth quarter of 2014 were $551.2 million compared with $401.2 million for the fourth quarter of 2013. Shipments of primary aluminum for the fourth quarter of 2014 were 226,082 tonnes compared with 216,755 tonnes shipped in the fourth quarter of 2013. For the fourth quarter of 2013,...
