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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ARN Auto Recycling awarded ISO 9001 certificate
The Dutch firm ARN Auto Recycling has been awarded the ISO 9001 certification following an audit conducted by the Dutch certifying body KIWA. ARN notes that complying with the internationally recognized standard demonstrates that it has its internal processes and the quality of its management systems up to all standards. “This helps us show that ARN as an organization is still moving forwards. We constantly strive to improve and ensure that all our staff remain involved in that process. ISO 9001 will help us to soundly control our business processes, which is extremely important to our service provision and transparency,” says Aarnout van Duuren, manager at ARN Auto Recycling. ARN Auto Recycling placed ISO 9001 certification on its agenda February 2014, and the company took its first...
American Specialty Alloys picks Central Louisiana for their aluminium sheet plant
After much contemplation about the precise location of the elusive aluminium mill planned by American Specialty Alloys, an official announcement reveals that the proposed $1.2 billion plant will be built in Central Louisiana where 650 or more people will be hired to supply aluminium for automobile bodies. The announcement came from Gov. Bobby Jindal’s office via press release on Friday. Roger Boggs, the Chief Executive for American Specialty alloys had earlier said that they had applied for environmental permits in a number of states including Louisiana, Alabama, Tennessee and Arkansas but no one was sure where the final mill would be set up. They had shown interest in the Golden Triangle Industrial Park initially for the project but since they did not follow up on the site after that,...
Canyon Resources signs MoU with Bolloré Africa Logistics for Birsok Bauxite Project
Canyon Resources, to facilitate easier access to the new under-development Birsok Bauxite Project, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Bolloré Africa Logistics Cameroon, operators of the Doula port and Camrail SA. The company has 75% stakes in the budding mining project in the town of Ngaoundal in Central Cameroon which promises to yield high grade, low contaminant DSO bauxite. The agreement will help the company to fulfill the key requirements of logistics and transport services required to develop and operate the Birsok Bauxite Project as a DSO bauxite operation. There is an existing Camrail rail line connecting the Douala Port to the Birsok Project across the 10 km distance. According to initial studies, the rail line will prove useful in carrying commercial quantities of...
Alba achieves 4 million hours without LTI
Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba), a leading aluminium smelter in the world, announced a major safety milestone as it successfully achieved 4 million hours without Lost Time Injury (LTI) on Thursday, February 19, 2015. This achievement is a testimony of the Company’s commitment to a safe working environment for employees across the plant. Speaking on this achievement, Alba’s Chief Executive Officer, Tim Murray said: “Alba’s main objective is to bring a change in the belief and behaviour of the employees, making them the owners of safety. At all times, we ensure the implementation of accredited international guidelines and highest standards of occupational health and safety, thus creating an environment that is safe for everyone. This significant accomplishment is a testament to our...
Coal auctions: Balco bags one more mine in Chhattisgarh
Bharat Aluminium Company Ltd. (Balco) bagged one more coal block on the eighth day of the auction, taking the total number of mines sold so far through the ongoing auction to 18 that will generate an estimated over Rs1 lakh crore for respective states. Friday night, Hindalco Industries Ltd. had bagged Gare Palma IV/4 mine in Chhattisgarh. The Aditya Birla Group company has bagged three coal blocks — two in Chhattisgarh and one in Jharkhand so far. Of the 19 blocks put on sale in the first tranche, 18 have been sold in eight days. The remaining one — Gare Palma IV-7 mine in Chhattisgarh — is the most sought after block as 12 bids have technically qualified for this non-power sector mine. “Gare Palma IV-1 mine closed at Rs1,585 (per tonne) and the winner is Balco,” a coal ministry official...
Birmingham Aluminium Ltd is now called BAL GROUP: Global Aluminium Solutions
One of UK’s leading aluminium component manufacturers, Birmingham Aluminium Ltd, is revamping its brand with a brand new name and logo. The company will now be called BAL GROUP: Global Aluminium Solutions. The new brand identity is aimed at maintaining the heritage of Birmingham Aluminium at the same time reflecting the international nature of the business today. Managing Director, Steve Kane says that the company already deals with global clients across 29 different countries and hopes the new branding will help them double their revenue over the next three years by expanding their reach across a wider international market. Steve hopes that much of the demand will come from the automotive sector and once the desired targets are reached, they will be making fresh investments in...
Nigeria’s Aluminium Smelter Company receives power generation license
Two companies, KVK power Nigeria Pvt. Limited and Aluminium Smelter Company of Nigeria Plc, have been issued on-grid electricity licenses by the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission. These companies will now be able to generate electricity from solar and gas respectively amounting to a total amount of 590 megawatts of electricity after they become fully operational, the Commission revealed in a statement on Thursday. Dr. Sam Amadi, the Chairman cum CEO of NERC congratulated the two companies on receiving the licenses after going through the all the processes that lead to the issuance. “Our system is to ensure that whoever is licensed is able to carry the construction to completion. What we can tell the licencee is that we will support you in any way we can as you make progress,”...
Asian aluminum premiums set to sag as China exports swell
Premiums for aluminum in Asia are set to slip from record highs as China ramps up exports of semi-manufactured products, leaving regional producers searching for buyers for their surplus metal. Premiums, the surcharge for obtaining physical metal, have nearly doubled in the past two years outside of China after Western producers cut supply due to years of low prices. A backlog at London Metal Exchange warehouses and financing demand from Western banks earning profit on stored metal also tightened supply. But Japanese buyers and those elsewhere in the region, say premiums are not likely to extend from the current records. China has been stepping up exports of its surplus metal, at the same time the LME overhauls its warehouse rules to release aluminum stores and banks back off from their...
EGA welcomed customers from around the world during 2015 Omega DDC
Customers of Emirates Global Aluminium ("EGA") from around the world visited Dubai recently to attend a series of events that coincident with the 2015 Omega Dubai Desert Classic ("the Omega DDC"). A sponsor of the Omega DDC since 1992, EGA leverages the tournament each year to solidify and build on relationships with key global partners by hosting guests at the golf, offering an entertaining social programme (including the annual EGA Golf Day), conducting tours of its Jebel Ali and Al Taweelah sites, and holding numerous business-related meetings. The latter included the annual EGA Customer Meeting, held on 1 February at Madinat Jumeirah. The keynote address was given by Abdulla Kalban (MD & CEO: EGA), who reflected on the successes of the past and looked to the future as he presented...
Alcoa named fortune's most Admired Metals Company in the world for fourth year in a row
Alcoa has once again been named the most admired metals company in the world by Fortune magazine. This is the fourth year in a row that Alcoa has been awarded the top position in the Metals category in the magazine's annual ranking on corporate reputation. Alcoa has been on Fortune's Most Admired List since the publication began its annual ranking more than 30 years ago. Alcoa received top scores in the following key attributes: use of corporate assets, financial soundness, long-term investment value, quality of products and services, and global competitiveness. "Fortune’s recognition is a tribute to our 59,000 employees who, through their tireless pursuit of excellence, innovative products and strong customer focus, have made Alcoa the top metals company for four consecutive years," said...
Queensland Bauxite extends time for entitlement issue
Queensland Bauxite has offered shareholders additional time to take up shares under its one-for-four entitlement issue priced at $0.014 per share to raise up to $1,782,167. The issue, which now closes on 10th March 2015, includes one free attaching option exercisable at $0.10 and expiring 31st July 2016 for every two shares subscribed. Proceeds will be used to prove up larger tonnages of Indicated bauxite resource from drilling an initial surface only Exploration Target area at the South Johnstone Bauxite Project. Funds will also be used to prepare for the mining of the existing indicated resources. A Scoping Study for the South Johnstone Bauxite Project in Queensland indicated a highly profitable bauxite business could be achieved based on low capital costs, low operating costs and...
Beverage container recycling fraud: US State to receive $1.8 million settlement
A Los Angeles-area recycling business will pay $1.8 million in restitution to the state’s Beverage Container Recycling Program as part of a settlement agreement resulting from illegal claims for refunds on out-of-state bottles and cans. As part of the agreement with the Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle), Action Sales and Metal, Inc. and owner Bruce Falk will be barred from future participation in the program. CalRecycle received $845,000 of the settlement last week, when the agreement was signed; the outstanding $955,000, seized from the business by law enforcement during two separate investigations, will be released to CalRecycle within 30 days. The settlement comes on the heels of an investigation by CalRecycle, the California Department of Justice, and the Los...
Cando project rids Cheltenham's streets of 10,000 cans
When it comes to keeping Cheltenham tidy and helping to save the planet, a group of green-minded enthusiasts say there is a lot you Cando. One of the town’s environmental groups, Vision 21, has collected and recycled a staggering 100kg worth of aluminium cans in the past 12 months. On the basis that each weighs 10g, that is the equivalent of 10,000 cans. They have all been picked up by the group’s volunteers in Cheltenham, either on foot or using a three-wheel bike with a large box on the front to keep the cans in. The volunteers are part of Vision 21’s Reclaim project, which focuses on recycling furniture and repairing bicycles. Spokesman Dave Entwhistle said he was keen for people to know about the work of the volunteers and said he was prompted to contact the Echo after reading our...
Indian Govt. plans to sell some shares from Nalco and other PSUs
The government is planning to sell stakes in its three blue chip companies Nalco, Bhel and NMDC after the last attempt of selling shares in IndianOil and ONGC backfired due to the sharp fall in oil prices. An estimated 10% stakes will be sold from both NMDC and Nalco, one a mining company and other an aluminium producer, as proposed by the finance minister. In case of Bhel, a fresh 5% disinvestment is being contemplated. Wednesday’s closing rates suggest that selling stakes of these companies is likely to fetch the government INR 10,000 crore. On Thursday a cabinet is scheduled where the proposals will be discussed although it is still unclear whether the sales would occur in this financial year or will they spill over to the next year featuring on the list of PSUs where the government...
Rio Tinto to invest in Canada aluminium smelters when market improves
Rio Tinto Alcan’s CEO Alfredo Barrios announced on Wednesday their plans to expand smelting capacities in Canada once the aluminium gains strength. Barrios says, since the aluminium prices have fallen since last year, the market situation is not conducive for further investment at the moment. He however maintains that in the long term, bolstered by the strong use of aluminium in the automotive industry, the market is expected to grow till 2025 providing ample opportunities for new investments. "If the market starts improving and the returns start remunerating the investments then there are a number of projects that we have across the world, even in Quebec, to potentially grow," said Barrios. He specifically mentions the new Alouette smelter and expansion plans of the AP60 pilot project in...
Crown Holdings expands Mexican footprint with fourth beverage can plant in Monterrey
US-based metal packaging products supplier Crown Holdings will build a new beverage can plant in Monterrey, Mexico, its fourth in the country, to address the growing demand. Crown will construct the new plant at the site which was a part of assets recently purchased by the company, previously belonging to Empaque. Crown president of the American division Djalma Novaes said: "In addition to completing the acquisition of Empaque, the leading beverage can producer in Mexico, we are excited to further expand in this key strategic region of the country and meet our customers' increasing demand." Capable of producing two billion cans every year, the facility's design will enable further expansion and will be equipped to produce two-piece aluminum cans in multiple sizes. Production of beverage...
Ball Corp to buy British drinks can maker Rexam for $6.9 bln
U.S. drinks can maker Ball Corp agreed to buy British rival Rexam Plc in a sweetened 4.43 billion pounds ($6.9 billion) deal, creating an industry giant that can better manage capital spending and costs as aluminium premiums rise. The cash-and-stock deal would merge the world's two largest beverage can makers by volume into a combined entity that could serve as a single supplier to customers across diverse markets. It would also reduce warehousing and transport costs for the can makers, which are contending with record-high premiums, the surcharge they must pay to traders on top of cash metal prices to obtain aluminium. Shares of Rexam, which makes cans for Coca-Cola Co and Anheuser-Busch InBev SA, rose more than 6 percent to 571.5 pence in early trading before falling back, and were...
Noranda expects third rod mill to be completed by end of 2015
Noranda Aluminum will complete a third redraw rod mill at its New Madrid, Missouri facility by the end of 2015, chief executive Kip Smith said in a conference call on Wednesday to discuss the company's fourth-quarter 2014 earnings. Noranda said in November it had suspended construction on the mill, which the company had previously expected to begin production by the second quarter of 2015, after its request for an electricity rate cut was denied. The third rod mill will increase Noranda's redraw rod capacity to 220 million pounds annually, up more than 40 percent from its current capacity of 155 million pounds, the company said in its 2013 annual report. Spokesman John Parker confirmed those figures were still accurate. Redraw rod, used to make electrical wire and cable, accounted for 28...
