German downstream aluminium exports fall 13% in H1 2026 but US enters top 5 with 228.1% import surge
Germany’s downstream aluminium export map underwent a noticeable shift in H1 2026. Shipments to the world fell, with most of Germany’s traditional European customers taking less aluminium downstream product. Yet, amid that broad retreat, one market moved in the opposite direction: the United States. German downstream aluminium exports to the world fell to 897,773.19 tonnes in H1 2026 from 1 million tonnes in H1 2025, a decline of 13 per cent year on year. The contrast was particularly sharp in the US market. American imports of German downstream aluminium reached 68,061.61 tonnes in H1 2026, up 228.1 per cent from just 20,743.62 tonnes in H1 2025. The increase of more than 47,000 tonnes was enough to push the US into Germany’s top 5 destinations for the first time. The export map is...
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...
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Rusal to develop ethane power plant to supply to its Jamaica alumina refinery
Jamaica's energy ministry has accepted a plan by Russian aluminum producer Rusal to develop a 140MW ethane-fired power plant to supply its mothballed bauxite refinery in Jamaica. The project will be commissioned by the end of 2017, according to the head of the ministry's power development unit Eset, Vincent Lawrence. Rusal's 1.7mn t/y Alpart refinery in the southwestern part of the island will use 50MW of the power, with the rest to be sold to local grid manager JPSco. Ethane is a natural gas liquid that is used mainly as a feedstock in petrochemical industries. The proposal for the ethane power plant was proposed to the government in July by the manager of Rusal's Jamaican operations, Igor Dorofeev. Rusal was planning to build a 150MW facility, Dorofeev had said then. The decision to...
Dickinson Group of Companies shows increase in business by adopting new techniques
Local furnace and industrial services company Dickinson Group of Companies, has shown an increase of 60% in business over the course of last 20 years through constant expansion of its specialized industrial services in the aluminium industry. The MD of DRS Mozambique, the aluminium smelter services company in the Dickinson group, Clinton Pretorius says that they offer a wide range of products and services integrated with the aluminium smelter industry. However, cost effectiveness is a key requirement in the industry. DRS Mozambique has continuously adapted their methods to get the maximum benefit while keeping the cost to a minimum. Being in the industry for over two decades, they have worked with giants in the industry like BHP Billiton, Hillside and Bayside smelters in KwaZulu-Natal and...
Tower Aluminium strong despite industry tailbacks
Even though the Nigerian aluminium industry is plagued with a number of problems, Tower Group is still strong in all ramifications and remains the leader in the sector, industry stakeholders have said. “Tower is the leader and is the only company in the industry that can wade through challenges in Nigeria and yet make reasonable profits,” said a CEO of an aluminium firm, who preferred anonymity. Tower Group, now part of the global Comcraft Group, is a pioneering leader in aluminium products in West Africa, having been in the country since 1959. The Group has the single largest vertically integrated operations, with presence across West African countries. Diversity and consistent quality have been keys to the market leadership of the firm over the years, say analysts. Tower is well-known...
Bauxite mining awareness in Rendova island, Indonesia
Bintang Borneo Mining company from Indonesia and officials from the Ministry of Mines and Energy are conducting awareness onBauxite mining around Rendova Island in Western Province this week. They are currently in Munda to conduct the mining awareness. Speaking to the Solomon Star in Munda over the weekend an officer from the ministry who wanted his named withheld said, they will start off the awareness in Rendova. “We are here with officials from Bintang Borneo mining firm of Indonesian to conduct bauxite mining awareness around Rendova. “Our awareness was basically to inform people about the mining impacts and get their concern about the mining.” The officer said Rendova island has bauxite deposits and there is a need to conduct awareness should there is a green light to operate, the...
Orkla puts up 83 percent shares of Granges for public offering
Granges, the Swedish aluminium subsidiary of the Norwegian company Orkla, has been put up for public offering by the parent company. The initial offer for it has been tagged at an amount between 3.1 billion and 3.7 billion Swedish crowns ($426-508 million). Orkla has been shedding off its metal assets as it is concentrating more on consumer goods recently thus they are offering up to 83 percent of the company at the same time listing the company on the Stockholm Stock Exchange on Oct 10. With the aluminium looking good for the first time in years, as a rolled aluminium producer, Granges should find a good market demand. Orkla confirms on Monday that it will offer up to 83 percent of the total number of shares in Granges, or 61.8 million shares. The shares will be put up on sale at rates...
Nalco to invest Rs 660 cr on 100 MW wind power plant
National Aluminium Company (Nalco), the navratna public sector undertaking under ministry of mines, plans to set up a 100 Mw wind power project with an investment of Rs 660 crore. “The project will be set up shortly at a suitable location in India”, Ansuman Das, chairman cum managing director (CMD) of Nalco said at the company’s 33rd annual general meeting (AGM) here. Selection of wind power developer is underway, he added.Nalco has already commissioned two wind power plants in Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan. The 50.4 Mw plant in Andhra Pradesh was commissioned in 2012-13 while the Rajasthan unit of 47.6 Mw, built at an investment of Rs 283 crore, was put to operation in January 2014. About 150 million units of electricity were generated from these two plants in 2013-14. In Odisha, the...
Disposal and melting of chips: The biggest manufacturer of alloy wheels in Europe - the Ronal Group - puts its faith in the tried-and-tested systems of ARP
Aleris announced today that its new rolling mill in Zhenjiang, China has attained qualification to supply aluminum aerospace plate to Bombardier Aerospace. The achievement of this milestone represents a significant step for Aleris towards supplying aluminum plate from its Zhenjiang mill for use in the production of various Bombardier aircraft. Aleris has supplied aluminum aerospace plate to Bombardier from its Koblenz, Germany site for several years. Aleris Zhenjiang, which was opened in early 2013, was modeled after the Koblenz facility to meet the needs of both global and regional aircraft manufacturers by establishing a local supply of commercial aluminum aircraft plate in Asia Pacific. "We are pleased to expand our partnership with Bombardier as we are able to serve them now from both...
Nalco to file review petition in SC over quashing of coal blocks
Stung by the recent Supreme Court (SC) order, which quashed allocation of 214 coal blocks across the country, National Aluminium Company (Nalco) said it is mulling to file a review petition in the apex court to reconsider its case for Utkal-E, a coal block awarded to the aluminium major that now stands de-allocated. “As per the SC order, the Utkal-E coal block also stands cancelled. We are consulting our lawyers and in all likelihood, Nalco is going to file a review petition in the apex court. We will request the court to reconsider our case and will explain the reasons for delay in developing the block. Some of the reasons for the delay were beyond our control”, said Nalco chairman cum managing director (CMD) Ansuman Das at a press briefing here. Das said, Nalco fulfills both the...
Afsa claims local South African aluminium industry looks promising in future
The Aluminium Federation of South Africa (Afsa) is the body representing the country’s aluminium industry and according to them, in the next 5 years the local demand for rolled aluminium products will double and create new job opportunities in the industry as well. Aluminium is increasingly becoming popular for its light weight that aids fuel efficiency in the automotive industry, its conductivity for the electric industry and its non-corrosive and non-poisonous quality for the food packaging industry. According to the Afsa estimates, out of the total 171,000 tonnes of aluminium consumed in South Africa, 15.9% share went to packaging industry, 21.6% in the electric industry and around 14.2% in the automotive industry. The recent switch from tin-plated steel cans to aluminium cans by the...
Aluminium marginally up on global cues
Aluminium futures traded a shade higher at Rs 118.55 per kg today as participants strengthened their positions, supported by an upward trend overseas. Further, rising demand in the domestic spot markets also influenced metal prices. At the Multi Commodity Exchange, aluminium for delivery in September inched up by 15 paise, or 0.13%, to Rs 118.55 per kg in business turnover of 204 lots. Likewise, the metal for delivery in October traded marginally higher by 10 paise, or 0.08%, to Rs 119.75 per kg in 113 lots. Marketmen said apart from increased domestic demand, a firming global trend in the base metals pack at the London Metal Exchange ahead of the US GDP data, mainly influenced metal prices at futures trade here.
Aluminium industry awaits policy amendments
According to Non-Ferrous Metal Industries Association (NFMIA) chairperson Bob Stone, the secondary aluminium industry has remained uncompetitive in the world market of beneficiated aluminium products, despite the directive of the preferential pricing on scrap metal, issued by the Department of Economic Development in September last year. The policy directive, which provides local industry buyers of scrap metal with a preferential price of 20% below the international price, is currently under review. Stone stated in a financial publication article last month that the policy had not been successful in lowering prices and in stemming the flow of exports, as several aluminium-scrap sellers resorted to excuses, subversion or blocking sales by undermining the policy practices, while uncertainty...
EGA to help Dubai raise project management profile
UAE-based aluminium giant Emirates Global Aluminium PJSC ("EGA") will showcase the value of project management excellence in its operations, and the strong emergence of the discipline in the UAE, by sponsoring the first Dubai International Project Management Forum ("DIPMF") which takes place on 29 and 30 September 2014. Held under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (Crown Prince of Dubai and Chairman of Dubai Executive Council), the DIPMF has been organised by the Roads and Transport Authority ("RTA"), in cooperation with the Dubai Electricity & Water Authority ("DEWA"), Emaar Properties, and the Project Management Institute ("PMI"). EGA is the jointly-owned aluminium conglomerate formed by Mubadala Development Corporation and Investment Corporation of...
Sohar Aluminium says it achieved 72% Omanisation last year
The sustainability report released by Sohar Aluminium (SA) reveals that the company attained 72 per cent Omanisation in 2013. The sustainability report for 2013 was released on Thursday at a ceremony which was attended by H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Said bin Saif al Kalbani, Minister of Social Development, dignitaries, executives, as well as members of the media. The report sheds light on Sohar Aluminium’s sustainability achievements. Addressing the gathering, Mulham Bashir al Jarf, chairman of Sohar Aluminium, in his speech said, “We achieved 72 per cent Omanisation last year. Sohar Aluminium has had a fruitful year achieving several milestones across all spheres.” He added, “The sustainability report focuses on our efforts to create a zero injury workplace, minimise our footprint on the...
Invitation - Hydro's third quarter results 2014
Hydro's third quarter results 2014 will be released at 07:00 CET (01:00 AM EST, 06:00 UK time), on Wednesday October 22, 2014. The quarterly report and presentation slides will be available on Hydro website at the same time. Presentation in Oslo Hydro will host a combined analyst and press conference, in English, at its corporate headquarters at Drammensveien 260, Oslo at 08:30 CET the same day. The presentation will be held by President and CEO Svein Richard Brandtzæg and CFO Eivind Kallevik and can also be seen on web TV. To attend the presentation in Oslo, please register on ir@hydro.com Q&A / Conference Call There will be a Conference Call at 15:00 UK Time (16:00 CET, 10:00 AM EST,) the same day. The Q&A will be held by President and CEO Svein Richard Brandtzæg and CFO Eivind...
Nalco announces INR 387 crore dividend and further expansions
On September 27, the CMD of Nalco, Ansuman Das announced a dividend of INR 387 crore for the 2013-14 fiscal. The announcement was made in a press meet after the 33rd Annual General Body meet. Das explained that the aluminium market was picking up globally due to global cutbacks and the positive demand and supply dynamics with the current LME price currently hovering around $2,000/mt. This has helped the company that is running for 33 years to finally look to expand, divert, enhance sustainability as well as cater to the stakeholders’ expectations. The company has already embarked upon an ambitious growth plan with its upgrade of 4th stream alumina refinery where the capacity has grown from 21 lakh TPY to 22.75 lakh TPY meanwhile in case of bauxite mines the growth has been 6.3 million TPY...
Aluminium use to grow in US: Ducker Worldwide
By 2025, more than 75% of all new pick-up trucks produced in North America will be aluminum-bodied, according to a survey of vehicle manufacturers conducted by US-based consulting and research firm Ducker Worldwide. The study, which confirms a significant breakthrough for automotive aluminium into high-volume vehicles, surveyed all major vehicle manufacturers and reports that Ford, General Motors and Fiat Chrysler will become the biggest users of aluminium sheet in the next decade. It also forecasts that the number of vehicles with complete aluminium body structures will make up 18% of North American production, from less than 1% today. Vehicle segments that are revealed as emerging aluminium content leaders are pick-up trucks, sports utility vehicles (SUVs) and midsize and full-size...
Bottlenecks curbing the widespread use of aluminium alloy wires and cables
The State Grid Corporation of China has released a list recently that includes aluminium alloy wire and cables in its new technologies promotion plan. SMM interviewed some insiders in the industry on September 24th at the 6th All China International Wire & Cable Industry Trade Fair which revealed that there are some bottlenecks that is preventing widespread use and production of aluminium alloy in wire and cable production. The biggest obstacle in the implementation of the new change is the lack of national standards for aluminium alloy wire. The market is piling up with detailed requirements for aluminium alloy conductors and rods yet there is no sign of any national standards for the wires and cables for which the market players have been waiting for a long time. A reliable source...
AEROBAL presents World Aluminium Aerosol Can Award 2014 winners
Now we know which aluminium aerosol cans are the best. An international jury made up of journalists from some of the most-important and best-known can magazines and packaging journals from around the world has reached its decision and chosen the winners for 2014. A can produced by German manufacturer Tubex for Dove won the category for aerosol cans that are already on the market. The look of this deodorant can exudes a promise of freshness and purity. The photo-realistic reproduction of a pomegranate with finely colour-graduated seeds on a characteristically shaped aluminium can is really outstanding. Apart from its very impressive look, the can’s actual innovative character becomes apparent only at second glance. The 125 ml product is filled with a deodorant concentrate and less...
