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...
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One for All program designed to boost recycling in eastern Pennsylvania
Lycoming County (Pennsylvania) Resource Management Services (LCRMS) has celebrated the grand opening of its $5.3 million single-stream material recovery facility (MRF) and the subsequent launch of a new regional recycling program called One for All. According to Jason Yorks, Lycoming County recycling coordinator, the new single-stream MRF will allow residents to recycle a wider range of recyclables, including Nos. 1 through 7 plastics and aseptic gable-top containers, such as juice and soup cartons. The 60,000-square-foot MRf, which is adjacent to the Lycoming County Landfill in Montgomery, Pennsylvania, can sort and bale up to 20 tons per hour of comingled recyclables. The participating counties in northeastern Pennsylvania include Lycoming, Columbia, Montour, Northumberland, Union and...
Orbite announces third quarter and nine month 2014 results
Orbite Aluminae Inc. announced today the filing of its third quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2014 financial results. Third Quarter Highlights are provided below: All dollar amounts are in Canadian dollars unless stated otherwise. • Mechanical installation of the decomposer and calcinator has been completed per the Company’s earlier communicated timeline. • Extensive testing confirms consistency of front-end process performance and suitability of refractory materials to yield HPA meeting high-end market specifications. • Company has decided to include additional de-risking step in refractory completion to pre-empt potential long-term mechanical stability issues with certain delivered refractory materials. Consequently, management anticipates commercial production for Q2 2015. •...
A Harita Group company violates mining permits in Indonesia
A local NGO reported that a Harita group mining company in West Kalimantan, Indonesia has been mining outside its allotted land. Forest Monitoring Volunteers of Borneo (RPHK) found in the their investigation that the P.T Karya Utama Tambang Jaya is using 78 hectares of land for their operations even though they have no jurisdiction on that land. The company already owns permits to mine across 8,878 hectares of land. Even though the area of violation is small, this is not an isolated event. The Department of Mines and Energy in West Kalimantan statistics suggests, 6.4 million hectares of West Kalimantan province has been allotted for the purpose of mining and extraction effective as of June 2014. "Because this island has become the production center for mining products and national energy...
Sarginsons Industries upgrades foundry
Coventry-based Sarginsons Industries is gearing up for expansion thanks to a six-figure finance package. Established in 1936, the aluminium castings manufacturer services the automotive sector and its supply chain across the Midlands, UK and overseas. The company, which employs a team of 85 staff, secured a "healthy" finance package through NatWest and its asset finance arm Lombard to upgrade its 40,000 sq ft foundry and to reduce energy consumption. Sarginsons has purchased new melting and holding furnaces, which in turn will increase production capacity and reduce energy consumption and CO2 emissions. Chief executive Roy Sims said: "Having the right equipment is important to any UK manufacturer with serious intentions of supplying products around the world. We must be able to compete on...
Constellium to report third quarter results November 19, 2014
Constellium N.V. will announce its third quarter financial results on Wednesday, November 19, 2014. A conference call and webcast to present the results will take place at 11:00 a.m. (Eastern Standard Time) on the same day. The conference call will be hosted by Pierre Vareille, Chief Executive Officer, and Didier Fontaine, Chief Financial Officer. Details of the conference call, webcast and accompanying presentation will be available on the Constellium Investor Relations page at the ‘Financial results and presentation’ page of the Constellium website.
Aluminum Association updates on North American downstream aluminium market
Shipments of aluminum sheet and plate, as reported by North American (U.S. and Canada) producers, totaled 2,136 thousand pounds in the third quarter of 2014, up 5.2 percent over the third quarter 2013 total of 2,030 thousand pounds. Shipments to the transportation market were up 25.3 percent Y-o-Y, while shipments to the building and construction market increased 9.1 percent. Compared to the previous quarter, total estimated shipments increased 3.0 percent. During first nine months of 2014, shipments were up 1.4 percent over the same period in 2013. Shipments of fin stock totaled 101.5 million pounds during the third quarter 2014, an increase of 10.6 percent over the third quarter 2013 total of 91.8 million pounds. Compared to the previous quarter, shipments decreased 16.0 percent from...
Aleris’ performance in the downstream segment in Q3 2014
Aleris released its report for the 2014 third quarter earnings with a statement that spoke about the company’s intension of focusing on rolled product capabilities among other things. The company has already faired well in the department and is planning to grow further to deliver more value-added products with the highest growth potential. Their Q3 2014 revealed that their income in the Rolled Products North America (RPNA) department has increased to $26 million this year compared to $22 million last year at the same time. Their segment adjusted EBITDA also increased to $31 million this quarter from $20 million in Q3 2013. The increase has been primarily attributed to the Nichols acquisition as well as the improved demand in the building and construction and transportation industries. In...
Govt working on auctions for iron ore and bauxite mines
The government is learnt to have finalised a blueprint to auction 31 mining leases for iron ore and bauxite mines by April 2015. It has also asked the states to give a list of fully prospected areas for auctioning them out in the subsequent phases. The first set of mining leases (MLs) will be auctioned only in areas where the estimate of mineralisation has already been established and fully prospected only by state-run exploration agencies. The Prime Minister’s Office had in September this year asked the mines ministry to expedite its decision on over 60,000 MLs pending both with the central and state governments. The list of 31 leases of bauxite and iron ore mines whose leases will be formally notified for auctions once the states assure the Centre of helping the winning bidders in...
Aleris reports update on Recycling and Specification Alloy Business
Aleris Corporation reported results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014. The company updates the following about their Recycling and Specification Alloy Business: Recycling and Specification Alloys North America ("RSAA") RSAA's segment income and segment Adjusted EBITDA increased to $20 million in the third quarter of 2014 from $16 million in the third quarter of 2013. Performance drivers included: • continued improvement in metal spreads, partly driven by customer and product mix increased segment Adjusted EBITDA by $5 million; and • higher costs associated with inflation in employee and energy costs exceeded productivity gains and decreased segment Adjusted EBITDA by $1 million. Recycling and Specification Alloys Europe ("RSEU") RSEU's segment income and segment...
SAE launches International Webcast for better use of aluminium extrusion
SAE International offers, “Successful Application of Aluminum Extrusion to Lightweighting Programs,” a free, one-hour webcast that will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 12 at 2 p.m. (U.S. EST). With the forthcoming launch of Ford’s F-150 and Jaguar’s new XE, aluminum has moved into the spotlight for vehicles that meet tomorrow’s fuel economy targets, while still providing the comfort, safety, performance, and amenities that consumers demand. Yet while much of the attention has been on aluminum body sheet, there is plenty of action “below the skin” with increasing use of aluminum extrusions in chassis, body, and a host of other applications. This one-hour webcast will discuss key factors for the successful application of aluminum extrusions in lightweighting programs. Participants will learn...
The ninth European Aluminium Award 2014 is being held at Coppenhagen
This is the ninth European Aluminium Award and each time it has become a more obvious showcase for innovative design and architecture. On 7 October, the winners of the six categories were announced: Aerospace & Automotive, Production Techniques, Tools & Machinery, Lighting & Interior, Building & Architecture, Design & Lifestyle. The international jury sifted through 83 submissions to select not only the best in each category, but also the Young Talent Prize, the Overall Jury Prize, two special prizes and five honourable mentions. Some of the winners included The Blue Planet by 3XN architects in Copenhagen, the aquarium that we have already showcased on Floornature; the Catlight urban lighting installation by designer Ehsan Aghdami, winner of the Young Talent Prize; and the Genothek in...
Scultures made of aluminium plates from dome of the rock on display, sale at PIIACUFF 2014
Twenty-two sculptures made of aluminium plates from the Dome of the Rock in the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Palestine are now on display and sale at the 'Forms of Doa: An Al-Aqsa Exhibition' at the Putrajaya Corporation Complex here. National Visual Art Gallery curator Zanita Anuar said it was hoped that the sculptures, which were inspired by the sufferings of the Palestinians, would prompt Muslims in Malaysia to pray for their safety and wellbeing. "Among the objectives of the exhibition is to promote 'doa' or prayer as it is the strongest weapon for Muslims. Apart from donation and aid, we should continue praying for the Palestinians. "Part of the proceeds from the sale will go to the Palestinians who are suffering from Zionist brutality," she told Bernama here Sunday. She said the...
Aldora aluminum acquires Florida-based Peterson Industries
Aldora Aluminum & Glass acquired the assets of Peterson Industries Inc., a Florida-based manufacturer of framed and frameless shower doors, mirror doors, closet doors and glass enclosures, according to an announcement from Superior Capital Partners LLC, a Detroit-based private equity firm, and parent of Aldora. Aldora Aluminum & Glass is a fabricator and value-added distributor of architectural glass and aluminum products. The company customizes its products to architectural specifications by cutting, tempering, laminating, insulating and assembling large glass and aluminum components. The acquisition of Peterson expands Aldora’s presence and completes its product line in the growing shower door category. Combined, Aldora and Peterson serve over 1,500 customers located throughout the...
Dana introduces aluminum cooling solutions for EV, hybrid vehicles
Dana Holding Corporation announced today the introduction of a new aluminum cooling technology for electric and hybrid vehicles. Specifically, the company is utilizing the efficiency of aluminum in its Long® brand of integrated cooling plates that enhance heat transfer of insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) switches. This newest addition to Dana's robust thermal-management portfolio provides customers with optimized, compact cooling components to address the high-heat, high-power demands of electric and hybrid vehicles. This technology has been developed to limit the maximum temperature of the IGBT junction in a compact design, providing customers with a clean, lightweight, recyclable, and cost-effective solution that offers superior heat transfer and cooling abilities. Furthermore,...
China alumina imports fall to 344,400 mt in Sept. 2014
China imported 344,400 mt of alumina in September, down 23.58% YoY and 1.71% MoM, customs data showed. The MoM decline was because rising alumina prices depressed Chinese aluminum smelters’ appetite for imported alumina. The FOB price of Australian alumina rose 10% from USD 320/mt in late August to USD 352/mt in late September. YTD imports through September surged 58.39% YoY to 3.92 million mt. The commissioning of new alumina capacity in China did not keep pace with that of new aluminum capacity in west China. This boosted demand for imported alumina and drove a significant rise in alumina imports for the first three quarters. Import volumes look set to surpass 5 million mt throughout this year as aluminum smelters will stockpile goods towards the year’s end.
China aluminum imports plunge 90.04% YoY in Sept. 2014
China’s primary aluminum imports slumped 90.04% YoY and 36.47% MoM to 5,400 mt in September, according to China Customs. YTD imports through September grew 23.05% YoY to 255,100 mt, though. The SHFE/LME aluminum price ratio was low at 6.9 for most of August, unfavorable for imports. Besides, rising aluminum premiums in overseas market added to import costs. Both factors resulted in such dramatic decline in import volumes. The SHFE/LME aluminum price ratio rose to near 7.1 in September, favoring imports. But high global aluminum premiums should prevent imports from increasing. Hence, China’s primary aluminum imports are expected to remain low in October.
EGA Corporate strengths shared at Global Summit
Emirates Global Aluminium ("EGA") Managing Director and CEO Abdulla Kalban outlined the UAE-based aluminium giant's strong foundations during a keynote address to a gathering of business leaders at the 2014 Palladium Global Summit held in Boston, Massachusetts on 29 and 30 October. His address, entitled "Building a global producer on a legacy of excellence", was extremely well received as attested by excellent feedback from the organisers and delegates. Reflecting the theme of the event - Leadership, Talent & Winning the Customer - Kalban's address focused on the importance of these factors in establishing EGA, particularly the integration of EGA's core primary smelter assets - Dubai Aluminium (" DUBAL ") and Emirates Aluminium ("EMAL") . He outlined how the management developed and...
Alcoa successfully tracking against business targets, portfolio transformation advancing
Alcoa executives today said that they continue to aggressively reposition the Company and that they are on track to successfully deliver against business targets introduced last year. Alcoa is transforming its portfolio by building out its innovative, multi-material value-add businesses to capture profitable growth and by creating a globally competitive commodity business. Alcoa hosted its 2014 Investor Day event at the New York Stock Exchange. “Alcoa’s transformation is in high gear and driving sustainable shareholder value,” said Klaus Kleinfeld, Alcoa Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “With our strong portfolio of value-add businesses we are building a lightweight, multi-material innovation powerhouse, and at the same time we’re creating a globally competitive commodity business....
