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
The Australian Trellis Door Company launches new aluminium security barrier
The Australian Trellis Door Company (ATDC) is proud to announce the launch of its retractable all aluminium security barrier. Following extensive R+D by ATDC’s design engineers the all aluminium retractable security barrier is now available for sale in Sydney,Melbourne,Brisbane,Adelaide,Perth and all regional centres in Australia. Manufactured from high tensile 20mm x 1.8mm Aluminium square tubing and featuring solid stainless steel rivets,this all weather security barrier has an anodised finished to 25 microns making it suitable for installation in a marine environment.Its non- marking thermoplastic rubber tread castors make it suitable for any installation on any type of finished floor. Completely collapsible,mobile,trackless and able to span an unlimited width makes this versatile...
Indonesian Mining industry suffers due to ore export ban
After the government ban on mineral ore export, there has been a drastic fall in national output for a number of commodities this year. There is a lot of expectation from the new government due to come in soon headed by president-elect Joko “Jokowi” Widodo, to lay out clear policies to regulate the mineral sector that is facing a lot of issues post the ban. In the period between January and August, 2014, only 2.8 million tons of bauxite was produced which is a sharp decline from 60 million tons that used to be produced throughout the year. The number this year is expected to see only a marginal addition of a few tons by year-end. The reason behind the ban is to boost the national downstream industry, with an expectation that by 2017, only mineral end products will be exported out of the...
Aluminium down by 0.9% on global cue
Aluminium prices fell 0.88% to INR 117.70 per kg in futures trade today as speculators offloaded their positions amid weak cues from global markets. Further, sluggish demand in the domestic spot markets weighed on the metal prices. At the Multi Commodity Exchange, aluminium for delivery in October declined by INR 1.05, or 0.88%, to INR 117.70 per kg in a business turnover of 267 lots. Similarly, the metal for delivery in November traded lower by 75 paise, or 0.63%, to INR 119 per kg in 20 lots. Analysts said the weakness in aluminium at futures trade was mostly in tandem with a downtrend in base metals at the London Metal Exchange on demand concern following signs of slowing economic growth.
Japan end-Sept aluminium stocks up 6.3 pct on month
Aluminium stocks held at three major Japanese ports were 313,400 tonnes at the end of September, up 6.3 percent from 294,800 tonnes a month earlier, trading house Marubeni Corp said on Friday. Marubeni collects data from the ports of Yokohama, Nagoya and Osaka. Here are stock levels at the ports (amounts in tonnes): Sep 2014 Aug 2014 Sep 2013 Yokohama 141,700 128,400 109,100 Nagoya 156,700 150,400 117,200 Osaka 15,000 16,000 16,000 TOTAL 313,400 294,800 242,300
Aluminium stocks continue to fall
The daily inventory data released by the London Metal Exchange (LME) today showed a decline in the inventory levels of Aluminium, Lead and Zinc. The data also showed a rise in the inventory levels of Copper and Nickel. Aluminium inventory continued its down trend, falling by 8575 tonnes today. Meanwhile, Zinc inventory and lead inventory declined by 1625 tonnes and 500 tonnes respectively. Inventory level of Copper and Nickel rose by 150 tonnes and 930 tonnes respectively. Nickel prices, on the LME, are trading up for the first time in four days. Meanwhile, aluminum, tin and lead rose, while zinc fell. Copper prices are down 0.6% heading for a weekly drop.
Aluminum jumps most in 17 months to pace metal rally
Aluminum rose the most in 17 months to pace a rally in industrial metals amid speculation that global central banks are prepared to implement more stimulus measures to boost economic growth. China plans to inject lenders with funds, the Wall Street Journal reported, and the European Central Bank will start within days to purchase assets, said Benoit Coeure, an executive board member. An index of the six industrial metals traded in London jumped the most in eight weeks after the gauge slumped 3.5 percent in the previous two days, the biggest decline since March, on global growth concerns. “There was some Chinese stimulus news, and any stimulus is good for base-metal prices,” Adam Klopfenstein, a senior market strategist at Archer Financial Services Inc. in Chicago, said in a telephone...
Sapa BTG, the top supplier in Vietnam again
Sapa BTG has earned the honor of an award for the second consecutive year for delivering the highest quality aluminium profiles in Vietnam that has been extensively used for building and construction purposes in the country. Vietbuild is the most important event in the building and construction sector in Vietnam featuring more than 2,200 international and local exhibitors. There are awards for the different segments in the industry like aluminium, cement, bricks, glass, steel and more where exemplary companies are awarded with prizes. Sapa BTG, which is a joint venture between Vietnam’s Thanh Group and Sapa, has won the quality award in Vietnam. The managing director of Sapa BTG, Mauro Spizzo says, "This is the result of the hard work and dedication of all the people in our company. We...
Aleris to sell its recycling and specification alloy businesses to Signature Group Holdings
Aleris announced today that it has signed a definitive agreement to sell its North American and European Recycling and Specification Alloys businesses to an affiliate of Signature Group Holdings. The sale includes 18 production facilities in North America and six in Europe. The facilities offer a wide range of metal recycling services and specification alloy products. Signature has agreed to pay an aggregate of $525 million for the businesses in the form of $465 million in cash with the remainder in cash and preferred shares of Signature Group Holdings, subject to customary post-closing adjustments. Aleris' decision to divest the businesses follows a strategic review process that was announced in April. "The sale of the recycling and specification alloys businesses will result in a...
Lack of clear pricing policy deterring investors from investing in Angul Aluminium Park
There is uncertainty revolving around investors willing to contribute towards Angul Aluminium Park (AAP) due to the lack of a clear pricing policy. This park is meant to be the first of its kind venture in the subcontinent where there will be infrastructure support and facilities to directly receive molten as well as conventional solid forms of aluminium from the adjoining Nalco smelter and used for downstream ventures. In a letter to Nalco’s CMD Ansuman Das, the CMD of state-owned Idco, Vishal Dev states that the investors are enquiring about the terms regarding pricing methodology and metal supply writing, "it is hereby again requested to formulate a standard hot metal supply agreement and finalise the pricing methodology at the earliest”. Earlier there had been a commitment issued by...
Cans for the Community sticking around despite new citywide recycling program
As the city of Lawrence initiates its new citywide recycling program, Cans for the Community, the organization that collects aluminum cans and donates the proceeds to local nonprofits, wants to remind the public that it is not going anywhere. Linda Klinker, chairwoman of Cans for the Community's board of directors, said the organization plans to continue its operation after the new recycling program begins Tuesday. Under the city's "single-stream" program, homes will receive plastic, wheeled carts for a variety of items, including glass, paper, cardboard, tin, steel and aluminum. Plastic bags, styrofoam and electronics are not permitted. Klinker said people can still reserve their aluminum cans for the dozen Cans for the Community dropoff bins around the city. "We just want everyone to...
Nalco chief: PESB recommends T K Chand's name
The Public Enterprises Selection Board (PESB) has recommended RINL Director T K Chand's name for appointment as Chairman and Managing Director of aluminium maker Nalco. Chand would succeed Anshuman Das as the head of Odisha-based aluminium maker Nalco, if the government approves his name after clearance from the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC). The PESB interviewed 11 candidates, including one CMD, five directors and three executive directors of various state- owned companies. There was also one candidate who is now working with the Rajasthan Government. Chand has been working in RINL since 1983 and promoted to his current position with effect from September 22, 2010. He has wide exposure in the metal an mining industry, having worked as a Director in Coal India and Central Coal Ltd,...
IDCO seeks pricing details from NALCO on metal supply
Odisha Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (IDCO) has asked the National Aluminium Company (NALCO) to declare pricing details of the metals supplied to the industrial units at an aluminium park at Angul, Business Standard reported. In a letter to NALCO, Vishal Dev, CMD, IDCO, said that applicants are interested in setting up their units in the proposed park and wants metal contract terms and pricing methodology. Therefore, it has been requested to finalize the pricing methodology and formulation of standard hot metal supply pact soon. At an estimated investment of INR 1.25 billion, the industrial park is set to be developed on a land area of 204 acres. IDCO has, so far, aggregated over 120 acres of land and is using external connectivity infrastructure to make the park...
LME overcomes legal battle but needs a stronger strategy
LME has faced a lot of criticism as well as a lawsuit for its dysfunctional physical delivery systems, especially from the largest aluminium producer, Rusal. Although LME has narrowly escaped any consequence, it has to rectify its faulty warehousing system for a smoother functioning aluminium industry globally. In February 2015, LME will be implementing its proposed solution named LILO. Although it has faced a delay of 10 months considering its earlier deadline of April 2014, LILO is expected to ease out warehouse operations and warehouses are already changing their operating models to comply with the rules. As per the new LILO regulation, if a warehouse has a queue for load-out that is longer than 50-calender days and continues to load-in new supplies, it is required to lift its load-out...
Vietnamese authorities to inspect controversial bauxite-mining plant
Vietnamese authorities say they are carrying out inspections at a controversial bauxite-mining plant where a break in a waste containment reservoir caused a spillage of sludge last week, raising public alarm about its environmental impact, according to reports. Local news organizations that reported on the spill at the Tan Rai bauxite plant in Lam Dong province in southern Vietnam’s central highlands cited scientists who had previously warned about the adverse environmental effects of such reservoirs if they overflow and pollute rivers. According to reports, red-colored sludge flowed out of the reservoir at the plant after the embankment gave way. But the Vietnam National Coal and Mineral Industries Group (Vinacomin), which owns the plant, and the Ministry of Natural Resources and...
UAE-based aluminium giant heads strong growth across region
Spearheaded by companies like Emirate Global Aluminium ("EGA"), the Middle East's aluminium industry has not only fulfilled forecasts made in late 2008 that it has the right fundamentals to survive and thrive, but also is entering a stage of strong expansion, both in primary production and downstream developments. That was the strong message to conveyed during the 29th International Aluminium Conference, which took place in Abu Dhabi from 22 to 24 September 2014, and attracted more than 500 key industry decision-makers from around the world. The event was organised by Metal Bulletin and hosted by EGA, the jointly-owned aluminium conglomerate formed by Mubadala Development Corporation and Investment Corporation of Dubai by integrating their aluminium industry assets. EGA's core operating...
Harley-Davidson reveals project livewire™, the first electric Harley-Davidson motorcycle
In the wake of the major automobile manufacturers, the renowned motorcycle icon currently is working on the development of its new “Project Livewire” electric mount. Jacques Internoscia, Director, Strategic Programs at AAC said “In that the electrification of vehicles = less weight, the new electric motorcycle will contain a significant amount of aluminium.” In this case, the aluminium will allow Harley-Davidson to meet its objectives for weight, structural integrity and corrosion resistance. Harley-Davidson launched Project LiveWire– the first Harley-Davidson® electric motorcycle in June 2014. Select consumers across the country will be able to ride and provide feedback on the bike, helping to shape the future of Harley-Davidson’s first-ever electric motorcycle. While not for sale,...
New aluminum statistical review shows demand growth for fourth straight year
The Aluminum Association released the latest edition of the Aluminum Statistical Review for 2013 on October 15. The 2014 edition of the Review, which features statistics through 2013 in the North American market, includes information on every cycle of the aluminum production process from primary aluminum to markets for finished goods to the recovery of aluminum scrap. The full report is available for purchase in the Aluminum Association bookstore at Aluminum Association website. This year’s Review shows continued growth in demand for the metal and positive trend lines in many key market sectors. Among key findings, the report found that in 2013 in the U.S. and Canada: • Demand for aluminum (producer net shipments and imports) increased by 2.0 percent to 24.2 billion pounds. • Supply of...
Novelis announces closure of Ouro Preto aluminum smelter to focus Brazilian Operations on core rolled products business
Novelis, the global leader in aluminum rolling and recycling, announced today that consistent with its corporate strategy it will focus its operations in Brazil on its core business of aluminum rolling and recycling. As a result, it will cease operations at its Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, primary aluminum smelter at the end of 2014. "The decision to end operations at Ouro Preto is consistent with our global strategy to build our business around sustainability – transforming from a linear business model to a closed-loop business model focused on recycled content," said Tadeu Nardocci, Senior Vice President, Novelis and President, Novelis South America. "In addition, the closure is driven by systemic issues affecting the entire primary aluminum industry in Brazil impacting cost of operations...
