Caustic soda plant setup in India: How aluminium growth is reshaping demand, costs and opportunities
Caustic soda may not be the most visible ingredient in aluminium production, but without it, the journey from bauxite to alumina would look very different. The chemical, also known as sodium hydroxide, is a crucial reagent in the Bayer process, where it helps dissolve alumina-bearing material in bauxite and separate it from impurities. The dissolved material is then processed to recover alumina, which ultimately feeds aluminium production. That makes caustic soda more than just another industrial chemical. Its availability, price and efficient use can influence the economics of alumina refining and, by extension, the wider aluminium value chain. As India expands its alumina and aluminium capacity, the requirement for this chemical is also becoming increasingly important. For companies...
Aluminum investment across North America and Asia: Who leads reshaping the next phase of growth?
Aluminum investment has been spreading across the entire value chain, from primary smelting and alumina refining to recycling, rolling, extrusion and battery foil, building more integrated and higher-value supply chains. During the past 5 years, the US and Canada in North America and China in Asia have been grabbing headlines pertaining to the aluminum industry. These updates have involved growth stories or have shed light on volatile market situations. How have these headlines contributed to a greater picture for the benefit of the aluminum industries of the two continents? Between 2021 and 2026, major projects across North America and Asia have targeted new primary capacity, lower-carbon production, recycled aluminum and higher-value downstream products. But the investment pattern is...
Grow with
AL Circle
Introducing end-of-waste for scrap has had positive impacts, says survey
The introduction of end-of-waste (EoW) for scrap from iron and steel, aluminium and aluminium alloys has had only positive effects on the market and the environment, according to a major new study from the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre (JRC) on “Monitoring impacts from Council Regulation (EU) No 333/2011: End-of-waste criteria for Al/Fe scrap”. Researchers found that it has not caused the disruption to markets and the dramatic increase in EU scrap exports that some had feared. Three years ago, Council Regulation 333/2011 established criteria by which this scrap could cease to be regulated as waste in the EU. The JRC study examined the impacts of the regulation on scrap availability, trade flows, prices and administrative requirements, as well as on the environment and human...
AUC Professor researches using carbon nanotubes to strengthen aluminium
As aluminium becomes more popular in industries like aviation and automotive, Amal Esawi, a professor of mechanical engineering at the American University in Cairo (AUC) is researching ways to make aluminium stronger using carbon nanotubes, retaining its lightweight. Esawi has already won the prestigious Egyptian State Encouragement Award and AUC 's Excellence in Research and Creative Endeavors Award for her work in aluminium-carbon nanotube composites. Now she is trying to find an alternative to alloying which is costly, instead she plans to us nano-sized rolls of interconnected carbon atoms shaped like tiny cylindrical chain-linked fences. The cost of the nanotubes are reducing every year and since you need fewer of them to add strength that you minimize the waste materials at the same...
Rio Tinto committed to materially increase cash returns to shareholders in a sustainable way
Rio Tinto today demonstrated how its superior portfolio of world-class operations, with industry-leading EBITDA margins and significant growth potential, are positioned to generate healthy free cash flow and shareholder returns. Citing sector-leading tier one assets, a relentless focus on financial discipline, and an operating and commercial expertise framed by a culture of safety and integrity, Rio Tinto reiterated its commitment to materially increase cash returns to shareholders in a sustainable way from February 2015. At an investor seminar in London, Rio Tinto chief executive Sam Walsh said “When you look at EBITDA margins, the quality and longevity of resources and reserves and potential for expansion and growth, there is no question our world-class assets will generate sustainable...
Orbite Aluminae to take brick and mortar approach for HPA plant
Orbite Aluminae, the Canadian technology development firm has decided to take the brick-and-mortar route to build the decomposer and calcinator for their high purity alumina (HPA) product plant at Cap-Chat, Quebec. The company had started out with the HPA pilot project and is now planning to expand it to a full-fledged, state-of-the-art HPA facility which will be able to produce one ton a day that can be extended to 3 tons a day within the next 12 months without any further significant capital investment. “We have selected the brick-and-mortar approach instead of a castable monolith for the inner lining of the decomposer and calcinator. The extensive testing of the replacement materials at our Technology Development Center confirms that the materials selected will provide both the...
AlCircle exhibits at 18th ARABAL International Conference in Bahrain as a supporter
Like previous years AlCircle had again joined hands with ARABAL Conference that took place in Kingdom of Bahrain, from 25 to 27 November, 2014. The Arab International Aluminium Conference (ARABAL) is the premium trade event for the Middle East’s aluminium industry and the only conference in the world attended by all the major and mid-size primary aluminium manufacturers in the region. This year the Conference was organized by Alba, one of the largest aluminium smelters in the Middle East as well the world. Like every year, the conference received a huge delegation of the global aluminium industry from East and West. From the aluminium industry point of view, it was one of the most significant platforms for knowledge and information sharing as well as for business networking. AlCircle team...
Rio Tinto makes a turnaround as aluminium division thrives
Rio Tinto's once-pilloried aluminium division could soon rank as the company's second-biggest earner behind iron ore, in what chief executive Sam Walsh has described as "a remarkable turnaround". The revival of a business that was a loss-making basket case barely two years ago was showcased in London on Friday morning, with the division's new boss, Alf Barrios, predicting strong demand and earnings growth for bauxite and aluminium in coming years. The division has suffered almost $US30 billion($35.7 billion) of asset writedowns during the past six years but looks set to start delivering for Rio just as the iron ore boom begins to fade. The recent drive to shut down scores of uncompetitive assets, including the Gove Alumina Refinery, has coincided with improving demand for aluminium in the...
Aluminium up by 0.6% on firming overseas trend
Aluminium prices edged higher by 0.58% to INR 122.35 per kg in futures trade today as speculators enlarged positions amid a firming trend overseas. Further, increased demand at domestic spot markets also influenced the prices. At the Multi Commodity Exchange, aluminium for delivery in December month contracts rose 70 paise, or 0.58%, to INR 122.35 per kg in a business turnover of 450 lots. Similarly, the metal for delivery in January traded higher by 65 paise, or 0.53%, to INR122.75 per kg in 50 lots. Market analysts said the rise in aluminium prices at futures trade was mostly in tandem with a firming trend in copper and other base metals at the London Metal Exchange and rising demand at spot markets here.
Emirates Global Aluminium showcases novel technology
Emirates Global Aluminium showcased its DX+ Technology and highlighted its benefits to Aluminium Bahrain’s (Alba) management team during a visit recently. Alba has used the technology in its Line 6 Bankable Feasibility study, said a statement. Its management team, that visited the EGA, included Sheikh Daij Bin Salman Bin Daij Al Khalifa, chairman of the board and Tim Murray, chief executive officer, who were received by Abdulla Kalban, managing director and CEO of EGA and Saeed Al Mazrooei, CEO of UAE operations. The EGA gave a presentation on various aspects of its operations including reduction cell technologies. “We sincerely appreciate the partnership with EGA. Alba is pleased to have selected DX+ technology to be used as the baseline for Line 6,” said Sheikh Dais. “Once the Alba...
Take Back program closes aluminium loop
Six Dutch cities are taking advantage of a metal return program that supports their respective sustainability goals while turning old aluminium poles into new ones. Sapa established the program to close the loop with regard to past-their-prime aluminium light poles and their subsequent replacement. In theory, the concept is simple. Old light poles are collected and stripped, then all parts are returned and brought back into the technical cycle. The idea was hatched with the Dutch municipality of Katwijk, a seaside town bordering the North Sea and located just north of The Hague. The town had a concern, and after learning of Sapa’s Cradle to Cradle® aluminium light pole, it contacted the company to discuss how to create a return system. “In the past, when we disposed old light poles, the...
Aluminum Ford F150 raptor could debut in Detroit
There are a great many rumors as to what will debut at the 2015 Detroit Auto Show, but the newest rumor suggests that a new SVT Raptor based on the aluminum bodied 2015 Ford F150 will be among the high performance premiers in the Motor City come January. While details are very limited – like limited to pretty much nothing – the folks at Road & Track have sources that have stated that the newest Ford SVT Raptor F150 will make its debut at the 2015 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. That isn’t official nor have the sources offered any idea as to what we can expect from the new F150 Raptor, but it goes without saying that the performance truck world will be eagerly watching the news from Detroit in January with the hopes of seeing the next high performance SVT pickup. Since...
Upstate Shredding – Weitsman Recycling expands in central New York
The scrap metal company Upstate Shredding – Weitsman Recycling, headquartered in Owego, New York, has acquired the assets of Murtagh Scrap Handling, a scrap metal recycling company in Rome, New York. The acquisition is expected to be finalized by January 2015, according to Upstate Shredding. Murtagh, which has been a family owned business for more than 25 years, will be renamed Ben Weitsman of Rome. Upstate Shredding says the acquired scrap yard is in an area where the company does not have a significant presence currently. “This is a very strategic move for the company as we continue to expand throughout the Northeast,” Adam Weitsman, CEO of Upstate Shredding – Weitsman Recycling . “We will be investing a lot of money into this location to bring the scrap yard to the high standards that...
Orbite selects refractory materials
Orbite Aluminae Inc. announced today that the Company has selected the refractory materials system for completion of its decomposer and calcinator. “We have selected the brick and mortar approach instead of a castable monolith for the inner lining of the decomposer and calcinator. The extensive testing of the replacement materials at our Technology Development Center confirms that the materials selected will provide both the required purity of end product and the operational longevity that we were looking for,” stated Glenn Kelly, CEO of Orbite. “As reported on October 29, we expect to commence refractory installation in January 2015, and anticipate commercial production to commence in the second quarter of 2015.”
Queensland Bauxite edges closer to Indicated Resource
Queensland Bauxite has received the final results from drilling at its South Johnstone Bauxite Project in Queensland and has incorporated the results into an upgrade of its Resources to an Indicated level. This will allow the company to meet all the requirements of JORC 2012, which underpins the Scoping Study. QBL said the reports are now being reviewed by an independent mineral consultancy group used to provide specialist advice for developing and finalising the Resource. The company also added that once the review and sign off has concluded the announcement for the Resource Upgrade can be sent again to the ASX.
First Bauxite releases detailed analysis on multiple projects
The First Bauxite Corporation has completed the strategic review of two of its projects, the Bankable Feasibility Study Update (BFSU Project) which was filed on 21 November 2011 and the planned pre-feasibility study (PFS Project) which was first introduced on 14th Feb, 2013. The first project was to product sintered bauxite in Guyana for the refractory market, the second was for the ceramic proppant market. In case of the BFSU project, a thorough analysis was conducted regarding the energy, market, technology, and resource risks. At the end of the review, the company believed that the risks have had a significant impact on the inability to secure the required level of finance needed for construction commissioning and operation of the BFSU project. The review of the planned PFS project...
Indian Mining Ministry adds amendment to make lease renewal quicker
An amendment has been proposed by the Union Ministry of Mines which will allow applicants who are applying for a mining license renewal can move their plea to the Central Government if the State Government fails to respond on the matter within 60 days. The NDA government is trying to pass the Bill in the winter session of Parliament as it will ease the bottleneck that is seen in mining lease renewals. The purpose of this Bill is to speed up the mining operations as the sector is suffering heavily for the past few years in the country. Many of the country’s active mines had not received lease renewals and were continuing operations on deemed renewals. The “deemed” renewals were permitted under the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulations) Act, 1957, and Mineral Concession Rules,...
Alumina term imports could make it tough to secure bank loans
Traders and smelter executives say that the 2015 term imports of alumina by Chinese smelters, is likely to be limited due to tight credits and expectations of weak local metal prices. Even though China produces enough alumina to sustain the smelters in China, some additional term imports are always carried out by the smelters to maintain the existing capacity or to increase it. These term shipments made up two-thirds of the 4.2 million tonnes of the total alumina imports seen in the first 10 months of 2014. Banks however have become very strict about reducing over-capacity that has been going on for the past decade and have cut back on loans for the steel and aluminium industries this year. Smelters fear that booking term shipments might exclude the smelter from getting letters of credit...
Alcoa unveils next-generation aluminum materials through breakthrough manufacturing technology
Lightweight metals leader Alcoa today unveiled breakthrough manufacturing technology, the Alcoa MicromillTM, that will manufacture the most advanced aluminum sheet on the market. The Micromill will enable the next generation of automotive aluminum products, and equip Alcoa to capture growing demand. The Alcoa-patented Micromill process dramatically changes the microstructure of the metal, allowing the production of an aluminum alloy for automotive applications that has 40 percent greater formability and 30 percent greater strength than the incumbent aluminum used today while meeting stringent automotive surface quality requirements. Additionally, automotive parts made with Micromill material will be twice as formable and at least 30 percent lighter than parts made from high strength...
Dubai Aluminium picks three banks to arrange $1.8bn loan
Dubai Aluminium (Dubal) has chosen three banks to arrange a $1.8 billion seven-year loan to help fund general operations, its first such facility in a number of years, three banking sources told Reuters on Wednesday. The firm has chosen Citigroup, Emirates NBD and Societe Generale to arrange the loan, the sources said, speaking on condition of anonymity because the information is not public. The three banks have fully underwritten the loan, and a process for inviting other banks to join the facility has begun, said one of the sources, a Gulf-based banker. Dubal’s office was closed on Wednesday for a public holiday, and an official at its parent company did not immediately respond to an email query. Many Dubai companies have come to the loan market in recent months to take advantage of low...
