Global EV sales to hit 35.4 million by 2030, with aluminium usage forecast to rise 38% in North America & 79% in China
From just 2 million vehicles in 2018 to a projected 35.4 million in 2030, the rise of electric vehicles (EVs) is reshaping the global automotive industry - and changing how much aluminium goes into every car. As automakers expand EV production, aluminium is finding new applications in battery enclosures, electric-drive housings, vehicle bodies and structural components, making the metal an increasingly important part of the industry's transition. Global sales of battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) are projected to reach 23.3 million units in 2026, up 11 per cent from 21 million in 2025. Sales are forecast to rise to 26.1 million in 2027, 29.2 million in 2028 and 32.2 million in 2029, before reaching 35.4 million in 2030. The market has grown...
AL Circle analysis: How do Germany’s 32.8% automotive aluminium share, 40% Diet Coke can price rise & 3.54Mt North American extrusion demand matter?
Aluminium’s downstream and end-user world is having one of those fortnights where a beer can, a luxury sports car, a German construction site and an Indian furnace all end up in the same conversation. The metal may begin its life far upstream, but its real fuss is playing out in cans, cars, extrusions, buildings and factories, where tariffs, trade policy, energy costs and demand cycles decide who wins. This fortnight highlights that aluminium demand is moving towards electric vehicles, lightweight transport and long-life infrastructure, even as packaging and construction feel the pinch of cost and weak activity. Meanwhile, producers from Vietnam to New Zealand are arguing over the oldest question in the business of how much protection, taxation or openness does a downstream industry need...
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Aluminium displays may replace LEDs in the future
The new age organic light-emitting diode (OLED) displays have replaced the cathode-ray tube, which relied on inorganic chemicals, almost completely now. While the new technology provides sharper images, they are less stable and have a shorter life. A sustainable, inorganic display system would thus be beneficial and soon, aluminium could be an answer to that. There is a phenomenon called surface plasmonics where some metals create colors through resonance of the surface electrons. If the four primary colors can be achieved through this method then it can give rise to a new era of inorganic displays. Noble metals like gold and silver can be used for the purpose but both have their own drawbacks, not to mention they are expensive. However, Jana Olson of Houston’s Rice University has...
RUSAL to produce nanostructured aluminium alloys
UC RUSAL, a leading global aluminium producer, has begun work on a new production process for making nanostructured aluminium alloys with improved mechanical strength for the electric power industry. The project is being implemented by the Engineering and Technology Centre of UC RUSAL on the premises of the Irkutsk aluminium smelter (IrkAZ). An experimental extruder will be built in the casthouse of IrkAZ that will utilise intensive plastic deformation to produce nanostructured alloys. It is estimated that the project will cost in excess of RUR 100 million with over RUR 40 million to be invested by the company. The rest of the money will come from the ‘Priority R&D for the Development of Russia’s Science and Technology in 2014-2020’, a government-sponsored federal initiative. In a contest...
AlCircle to make its presence felt at Aluminium 2014 in Germany
AlCircle has the pleasure of being a part of Aluminium 2014 trade fair as a media partner and exhibitor. It is for the second time that AlCircle is making its presence felt at the world’s biggest trade fair at Messe Dusseldorf after Aluminium 2012. ALUMINIUM Germany is one of the world’s leading trade shows for the aluminium industry and its important application areas. Eminent players from the global aluminium industry meet here for business networking and knowledge building. It brings together producers, manufacturers, processors and suppliers and also end-consumers along the whole supply chain, that means from raw material along semi-finished up to finished products. AlCircle being an exclusive industry portal for the global aluminium industry expects to reach out to a global audience...
SCAP to join Sapa at InnoTrans 2014
Sapa and Sapa Chalco Aluminium Products (SCAP) will join forces in Berlin at InnoTrans, the largest railway event in the world. InnoTrans 2014 will be held from September 23-26. It will be the first time that the SCAP joint venture shows its products at InnoTrans, an exhibition which takes place every second year. SCAP is owned 50/50 by Sapa and Chinalco. SCAP will display some of its new products, including an innovative side-wall panel used for freight cars loading coal. It is the first time, anywhere, that friction stir welding technology has been utilized for this type of freight car. Sapa and SCAP will have a third partner to share the booth, the Danish company Sjølund, which is expert in aluminium bending. Visit the booth in Hall 8.1, Stand No. 211.
Rexam hosts a “Cans for Cash” event in Chicago headquarters
Rexam, one of the leading beverage can makers in the world, has initiated a “Cans for Cash” event at its Chicago headquarters. This is their fourth such event held annually proving their commitment towards increasing awareness towards sustainability and the recyclability of aluminium cans. A Rexam Can Man was seen posing with bags full of aluminium cans for recycling. The event was for charity and to raise the awareness of the local communities. The event was hosted by Rexam who had partnered with United Scrap Metal, a local recycler and were joined by Rexam’s key partners including Novelis, Wise Alloys and Tri-Arrows Aluminium Inc. The “Cans for Cash” event has gained a lot of popularity in the past four years, collecting more than 3,500 pounds of aluminium cans this year which were...
Australian Bauxite rewarded the mining lease for Bald Hill Project
The mining lease for the Bald Hill Project near Campbell Town has been offered to Australian Bauxite and 30 new jobs are expected to be generated by the end of the year. The mineral deposits at Campbell Town and Ouse had been known to the Tasmanian mineral experts since 1942, while Australian Bauxite had been exploring Australia’s eastern seaboard region for more that five years. Out of their research two more mining leases have been delineated in northern Tasmania. The Campbell Town mine had been a simple quarry once and is said to have six years of mine life and to ship out its raw product the Bell Bay port, situated 100km north of the site, will be used. Ian Levy, the CEO of Australian Bauxite said that Tasmania is an ideal location for bauxite mining and the company is looking for...
TDP expresses their interest in bauxite mining in Vishakhapatnam agency regions
When the Telengana Desam Party was in opposition, they opposed bauxite mining in the agency areas of Vishakhapatnam, now the same people are showing interest in mining prospects. The Andhra Pradesh Minister of Mines and Geology, Peethala Sujatha said that if the Central grants their approval for bauxite mining in the Vishakhapatnam agency regions, they will discuss the proposal with the locals. They plan to let the Andhra Pradesh Mineral Development Corporation take up bauxite mining as a joint venture if permission is granted. Peethala holds that they have not changed their policies on bauxite mining, when questioned on the topic. They are just exploring the prospect of mining in the agency regions that too with prior permission from the Centre as well the local tribal population. In her...
Century Aluminum announces better products and more jobs
This time last year, Century Aluminum, in Sebree, was facing the possibility of shutting down, Today, the company held an event to celebrate the kickoff of their new "Premium Products Initiative". It's a multi-million dollar project that will not only benefit the smelter, but the community as well. It will bring in several jobs. A company spokesman says, “we've got a large footprint here and we intend on being here for a very long time and we're very thankful for the support and the ability to do this and this expansion. “ Century Aluminum has had a smelter in Sebree for 42 years.
Rising aluminium prices and downstream projects improves Alcoa’s financial status
Alcoa had made a clever move of closing all inefficient smelters and focusing on the more lucrative downstream business of aerospace and automotive to cut losses. But now as the aluminium prices are improving, Alcoa’s aluminium manufacturing sector is also looking up. Alcoa had idled 803,000 metric tons, out of its total 3.8 million metric tons capacity as of June 30. This along with similar steps taken by Alcoa’s competitors has helped the aluminium prices greatly, pushing it from $1,700 from earlier in the year to the current $2,100 per ton spot prices it has achieved recently. Alcoa’s earnings per share would be 18 cents per share on sales of $5.7 billion, as per the analysts’ forecasts. Alco’s aluminium stocks have also risen by 52 percent this year while the shares closed at $16.22...
Traditional owners sign agreement with ABD instead of Glencore for bauxite mining lease
The State Government in Queensland had almost finalized the bauxite mining lease for Cape York Peninsula with a major multinational company when the native title holders of the land discarded their decision to choose their own candidate. Glencore International had been deemed by the State Government as the ideal candidate for the lease only last month. However the native people of Wik and Wik Way People have signed an Indigenous Land Use Agreement with a rival company, Aurukun Bauxite Developments (ABD). The agreement forms a tie between the company and the Ngan Aak Kunch (Nak) which is the association representing the Wik and Wik Way native titleholders which ensures that the Wik and Wik Way people hold 15 percent equity in any mining expedition carried out with ABD on their land. Gina...
AlCircle participates in Metal Bulletin’s 29th International Aluminium Conference and launches Arabic version of the brochure
AlCircle is participating as a media partner to Metal Bulletin Events’ 29th International Aluminium Conference – the premier aluminium industry gathering in Abu Dhabi. AlCircle has recently launched the Arabic version of its brochure looking at the significance of Middle East in the aluminium industry and also the growing awareness of AlCircle’s information and business features among the aluminium fraternity in the Middle East. At present, the Gulf region is considered as the next Aluminium hub of the world with six big smelters – Dubal and Emal (now Emirates global Aluminum), Alba, Qatalum, Sohar and Ma’aden working in full capacity towards improving productivity of the region. According to industry estimates, aluminium production in the region will touch 5 million tons by 2015,...
US to keep antidumping duty orders on refined brown aluminum oxide from China
The U.S. government determined on Thursday it would maintain the existing antidumping duty orders on refined brown aluminum oxide (RBAO) from China, despite Beijing 's repeated calls for Washington to drop protectionism. The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) concluded in a ruling that revoking the current antidumping duty orders on these products from China would be likely to lead to continuation or recurrence of material injury within a reasonably foreseeable time. This is the second "sunset review" for the antidumping duty order on imports of RBAO from China, which was first issued in 2003. The antidumping duty margin on the product is 135.18 percent. A "sunset review" was conducted every five years after anti- dumping and countervailing duties were introduced. The Uruguay...
Rusal Aughinish alumina refinery returns to profit with $15.59 pre-tax profit
The largest refinery in Europe, the Rusal Aughinish on the Shannon Estuary announced a pre-tax profit of $15.59 last year recording their return to profits. Ireland’s largest manufacturing site managed this feat by cutting back their defined benefit pension scheme which brought in an exceptional gain of $25.39. The Limerick Alumina Refining Ltd and other subsidiaries reported a 4% increase in revenues, from $586 to $607.88m at the end of last year. The recorded pre-tax profits are including the non-cash depreciation of $28.9 million. The company that recorded a pre-tax profit last year hand suffered a pre-tax loss of $10.4 million in 2012. The positive swing of the company in one year has been worth $25.9 million. According to the directors’ report, the company entered an agreement in...
EGA to host Global Aluminium event in Abu Dhabi
UAE-based aluminium giant Emirates Global Aluminium PJSC ("EGA") will be showcasing the growing value of the UAE's aluminium industry to the global market by hosting Metal Bulletin's 29th International Aluminium Conference from 22 to 24 September 2014 in Abu Dhabi. The event will be opened by a short speech by His Excellence Eng. Suhail M Al Mazrouei (UAE Minister of Energy) and a keynote address by Abdulla Kalban (Managing Director and CEO of EGA). This year's event marks the first attendance as a single entity for EGA, the jointly-owned aluminium conglomerate formed by Mubadala Development Corporation and Investment Corporation of Dubai by combining their aluminium industry assets. EGA's core operating entities are Dubai Aluminium PJSC (" DUBAL ") and Emirates Aluminium Company Limited...
Canada’s Metalco Inc. to open aluminium extrusion plant in Lordstown, Ohio
The Canadian company, Matalco Inc., is investing more than 100 million dollars towards an aluminium extrusion plant in Lordstown. The plant will be constructed in the Ohio Commerce Center on Tod Avenue. Matalco is one of the largest independent aluminium recyclers in North America and also make premium quality aluminium billets. They have zeroed in in the Lordstown region as it is a perfect location for them in terms of easy highway and railroad access and the proximity to its customers. Lordstown too is offering a fair offer of 10-year 75% tax abatement. The Mayor of Lordstown is also quite happy with the arrangement as it will bring new jobs, nearly 80, growth and investment as well as great aid for schools in the area. There is almost $60,000-80,000 per year gain for the school...
China-based Dicastal to open a facility in Greenville
The biggest aluminium wheel manufacturers in the world, the China-based Dicastal North America Inc, has come to an agreement with the city of Greenville to open a facility in the abandoned buildings of United Solar Ovanics (USO) creating around 300 jobs in the area. Over 35 US states had been competing for this project and now Greenville along with Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and Right Place are welcoming the company as per the announcement made on Wednesday. This facility will be the first Dicastal facility outside China where already 17 units exists. The MEDC, Right Place and the city have come up with the winning incentive package that has persuaded the company to make the $140-million investment for the Greenville project. The director of business development of...
UAE Company to Establish Aluminum Factory in Ethiopia
Al Ghurair Group, United Arab Emirates (UAE)-based business group is going to set up an aluminum factory with 50 million USD jointly with Tracon Trading, a local company. After discussing with President Dr. Mulatu Teshome, owner of the Group, Majid Saif Al Ghurair told reporters that preparations have been finalized and operation will commence in the near future. Previously, the Group has been supplying aluminum to Ethiopia jointly with Tracon Trading, he said. The government has decided to provide 25,000 hectares land, of the total 60,000 hectares land needed for the project for the time being, he said. The factory would help to satisfy the local demand for aluminum and export to Eastern African countries, according to Elias Nur Tracon Trading Deputy Manager. The factory is expected to...
Sohar Aluminium to invest $35 million for expansion
Sohar Aluminium based in Oman plans to expand over the next five years and is ready to invest $35 million for the same as reported by Mohammed Al Masoudi, their chief executive to Reuters in Thursday. The company is looking to upgrade from their current capacity of producing 375,000 of primary aluminium in hot metal form, per year. The increased capacity of 28,000 tonnes is expected to be added as per the expansion plans, he said. Their two main consumers are Oman Aluminium Processing Industries and Oman Aluminium Rolling Co. where the former consumes 50,000 tonnes while the latter consumes 140,000-160,000 per year. According to Masaudi, there is a third major producer that is being arranged. A portion of the produce is exported as well. Sohar Aluminium was established in 2004 and is...
