AL Circle Analysis: Aluminium’s recycling economics, trade walls and carbon rules converge
The story of the aluminium industry is starting a chapter wherein scrap availability, recycling technology, trade policy, carbon costs and demand growth are becoming increasingly interconnected. From the US and Canada to Europe, India, New Zealand and China, recent developments show that the global aluminium supply chain is being reshaped on several fronts at once. These developments point to a changing aluminium business model: access to metal alone may no longer be enough. Quality of recycled feedstock, domestic processing capacity, carbon intensity, trade exposure and the ability to meet increasingly specific customer requirements could become equally important competitive factors. Join the fourth edition of the webinar “Hedging for recyclers - Become an expert in 6 hours” by Jorge...
Europe holds 10% of global aluminium extrusion demand, supported by Germany’s Constellium, France’s Hydro Extrusions & Italy’s Metra
Across Europe, aluminium extrusion has become closely woven into some of the region’s biggest industrial and construction markets. From automotive and transport to buildings and industrial applications, extruded profiles are finding demand across a wide range of sectors. This is reflected in Europe’s position in the global market: the region accounted for 12 per cent of global aluminium extrusion capacity, making it the second-largest regional contributor after China. At the same time, Europe represented 10 per cent of global aluminium extrusion usage, out of total global usage of 35.35 million tonnes . With production capacity and usage shares relatively close, Europe’s extrusion capacity and consumption are broadly at par. If we break down Europe’s 10 per cent share of global aluminium...
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February 2024: World primary aluminium production manifests a growing trend, marking an increase for the back-to-back year
According to the International Aluminium Institute survey, world primary aluminium production in February 2024 (29 calendar days) amounted to 5.554 million tonnes, experiencing a decline of 8.35 per cent from 6.06 million tonnes in January. However, on a year-on-year basis, the world primary aluminium output in February edged an increase of 4.12 per cent from 5.334 million tonnes. Also, the combined production in January and February stood year-on-year higher by 3.31 per cent, from 11.234 million tonnes to 11.606 million tonnes. Since the last year, world primary aluminium production has shown a steady growth in February. The output in February 2023 encountered a hike of 2.95 per cent from 5.181 million tonnes to 5.334 million tonnes. The average daily primary aluminium production in...
Vedanta revises its aluminium prices twice in three days; finally trims the ingot price by INR1750/t
Vedanta Limited has revised its aluminium prices twice in only three days this week. On Tuesday, March 19, 2024, Vedanta increased its aluminium selling prices in line with the LME aluminium price growth on the two previous days, and on March 20, it cut the prices in response to the LME price change. On Tuesday, March 19, Vedanta Limited added INR 1,750 per tonne to its aluminium ingot and product prices in tandem with the LME aluminium price hike by US$19.50 per tonne in two days, during March 15-18. Thus, Vedanta’s aluminium ingot price came in at INR 217,250-223,200 per tonne, and Vedanta’s aluminium billet and wire rod prices stood at INR 224,500 per tonne and INR 224,000-231,500 per tonne, as of Tuesday, March 19. However, soon the next day, Vedanta extracted the same amount of INR...
FY 2023: Canada remains the highest exporter of crude metal and alloys to the US with 8.17% Y-o-Y plunge; Race intensifies for second position
According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the annual US import of metals and alloys, crude for consumption in 2023 amounted to 26.4 million tonnes, of which Canada represented only 8.94 per cent or 2.36 million tonnes. On a Year-on-Year basis, Canadian aluminium imports to the US declined 8.17 percent, or 21,000 tonnes, from 2.57 million tonnes recorded during December 2022. Canadian imports to the US – A 2023 analogy Canada has been the largest supplier of crude metals and alloys to the US, followed by the United Arab Emirates, Australia, Bahrain, and Argentina, which are constantly fighting for consecutive numerical positions. In September 2023, the US import of metals and alloys, crude from Canada was 2.1 million tonnes, which added 26,000 tonnes or 12.38 per cent on a...
Australia’s biggest aluminium smelter braces itself for a complete clean energy transformation
With a significant wind and solar tender, Tomago Aluminium, Australia's premier smelter, embarks on a riveting journey toward sustainability. As the nation's largest consumer of energy, Tomago's transition to renewables sets a pioneering precedent in the aluminium industry. Tomago Aluminium, renowned for its efficiency, spearheads a monumental shift towards clean energy. With plans to transition to renewable sources by the end of the decade, the smelter aims to secure a long-term, economically viable deal to power its operations sustainably. Economic and environmental impact Boasting unmatched efficiency, Tomago Aluminium supports over 6000 jobs and injects substantial revenue into the economy. By harnessing wind and solar power, the smelter not only reduces its carbon footprint but also...
Azerbaijan's aluminium exports to Japan surge by 29% in 2023
According to the State Statistics Committee, in 2022, Azerbaijan exported 5,102 tonnes of aluminium to Japan for a total value of $12.73 million. However, in 2023, aluminium exports from Azerbaijan to Japan saw a notable increase. The country exported 6,598 tonnes of this non-ferrous metal, amounting to $13.387 million in export value, as per the report. This reflected a 29 per cent growth in exports compared to the previous year. Despite the increase in export volume, the price of raw aluminium fell in 2023 compared to 2022. In 2022, a tonne of aluminium was priced at $2,367, but the price decreased to $2,029 per tonne in the following year. As per AL Circle’s new industry-focus report, “Global ALuminium Industry Outlook 2024,” i n recent years, the aluminium industry’s long-term outlook...
2023: Four months of relentless fall in India’s aluminium scrap imports from the US negates its annual growth
According to the United States Geological Survey's findings, India's aluminium scrap imports from the US decreased over a year in 2023, accounting for 21.94 per cent of the United States total aluminium scrap exports versus 22.95 per cent last year. As per the USGS data, India imported 452,000 tonnes of aluminium scrap from the US in 2023 compared to 459,000 tonnes in 2022, indicating a year-on-year drop of 1.53 per cent. After August 2023, India's aluminium scrap imports from the US fell relentlessly each month. In September, the imports decreased by 5.5 per cent to 42,700 tonnes, which further declined the following month by 17.33 per cent to 35,300 tonnes. In November, the import volume was 30,700 tonnes, down by 13.03 per cent month-on-month, and continued to fall in December by 21.82...
The Americas’ alumina production in January 2024 sees a downfall, with greater intensity in North America
Total alumina production in the Americas during January 2024 witnessed a downfall month-on-month and year-on-year. According to the International Aluminium Institute data, the output in January 2024 amounted to 1.215 million tonnes, down by 4.1 per cent from 1.267 million tonnes in December 2023 and 2.80 per cent less than 1.250 million tonnes in January 2023. The downfall was contributed by both South America and North America, except that the former saw month-on-month and year-on-year decline, unlike North America, wherein the alumina output only decreased on a year-over-year calculation and edged a rise month-on-month. However, the intensity of the annual downfall in North America was much higher than in South America. According to the International Aluminium Institute data, alumina...
Oleg Deripaska advocates against pressure on Western investors to divest Russian assets
Russian oligarch and billionaire Oleg Deripaska has criticised the pressure on Western investors to divest their Russian assets following the 2022 Ukraine-Russia geopolitical crisis. He argues that such practices are unethical, shortsighted, and counterproductive to both the Russian and global economies. In the aftermath of the Ukraine-Russia geopolitical crisis, numerous Western companies exited Russia, and some of their assets fell under state management. Remaining Western investors in Russia have reported facing coercion to sell their holdings, often at undervalued prices, and experiencing effective expropriation. The Russian edition of Forbes quoted Deripaska as saying a spokesman confirmed the remarks, "Pushing foreign companies to sell their Russian assets is dishonest,...
Sustainable packaging is here to stay! An interview with Victoria Marletta of Aerosol Packaging at Ball Corporation
As we turn the page to a new year, sustainability remains a key trend that will dominate the metal packaging industry. The Metal Packager’s Iris Arsic asked Victoria Marletta, commercial vice president, Aerosol Packaging at Ball Corporation, about key developments in the company’s eco-friendly aerosol packaging solutions. Here, she talks about Eyeris, Ball’s proprietary enhanced printing technology, previously used in its beverage business and now widely available to aerosol customers to provide standout shelf appeal and attract consumers with premium packaging design. Marletta also gives insights into the challenges to making sustainable packaging and shortlists trends that will shape the aluminium aerosol can industry. The Metal Packager: In January 2023, Ball Aerosol Packaging became...
Russian aluminium fuels over half of LME warehouse stockpiles
In March 2024, data from the London Metal Exchange (LME) indicated that Russian aluminium stocks in registered warehouses rose to 53 per cent of the total, reaching 220,575 tonnes, up from 41 per cent in January 2024. This indicates consumers may have evaded Russian metal across various sectors such as transport, construction, and packaging, as a global news agency reported. Despite the geopolitical crisis, the world's oldest exchange and most significant market for industrial metals has refrained from banning the trading and storage of Russian metals within its system, nor has it shown any willingness, as Western sanctions on Russian base metals have not been imposed. According to sources familiar with the matter, Glencore has recently deposited tens of thousands of tonnes of Russian...
Hindalco Industries cuts its aluminium selling prices in response to LME aluminium price fall
Hindalco Industries Limited has reduced its aluminium ingot and aluminium products prices on Thursday, March 15, in line with the LME aluminium price drop. Like other Indian aluminium companies, Hindalco links its aluminium prices to the three-month futures of aluminium on the London Metal Exchange. On Thursday, March 14, the LME aluminium benchmark price decreased by US$19 per tonne, and in response, Hindalco Industries Limited cut its aluminium prices by INR 1,750 per tonne or 0.8 per cent on March 15. On March 14, Hindalco increased its aluminium prices by INR 1,750 per tonne in tandem with the LME aluminium benchmark price rise by US$10.50 per tonne on March 13. This indicates that Hindalco's aluminium prices lost what they gained the previous day. With the latest cut on March 15,...
North America’s aluminium industry analysis: Demand starts turning to a positive trend after a gloomy 2023
The market dynamics of the aluminium industry in North America are gradually displaying a positive change, with a demand recovery in Q4 2023, as indicated by the preliminary estimates of the Aluminum Association. Even the beginning of 2024 has set a progressive tone, as the association’s index of net new orders of aluminium bill products hit 114.5 (baseline index of 100), the highest level since June 2022. Market Analysis Until the third quarter of 2023, aluminium demand in North America was sluggish, contracting by 4.4 per cent year-on-year to about 20,908 million pounds. That led to a downfall in the full-year demand by about 3.9 per cent, totalling 26,271 million pounds, compared to 27,337 million tonnes a year ago. The recovery in Q4 slightly offset the annual fall. Charles Johnson,...
With the new circular economy trend, we trust there is room to increase recycling within a primary and secondary aluminium producer ecosystem - EPIQ Machinery
AL Circle : What kind of solutions do you provide for aluminium casthouse handling systems and casting lines? Can you please share a case study where your solution has significantly benefited a casthouse in material handling? EPIQ Machinery : Under the BROCHOT brand, EPIQ has produced fully automated aluminium Foundry Ingot Stack Handling Systems. These systems considerably reduce the route of mobile equipment and, proportionally, the co-activity in this often-congested sector. It also avoids stopping the production line if there is a delay or failure in removing the ingots’ piles from the conveyor. The Foundry Ingot Stack Handling Systems are designed to handle foundry ingots from the casting to the discharge conveyor and onto the packaging area. The bundles are then handled by forklifts...
“Inductotherm's induction melting systems for aluminium casting boast IIoT readiness, facilitating real-time data access for process control,” Ed Chmielecki, Sales Manager Light Metal Applications – Inductotherm Corp.
Ed has 21 years in the metalcasting industry, primarily in non-ferrous metal. He has been with Inductotherm Corp. since September 2019 as Sales Manager for Light Metal Applications and District Manager covering the South-Central US. Before joining Inductotherm, Ed was a Regional Sales Manager for a Crucible Company, and prior to that was a Furnace Services Engineer covering North America, installing and servicing Electric Resistance and Gas Fired Crucible furnaces. At Inductotherm, he now uses his years of experience to show customers the benefits of using induction melting to reduce their carbon footprint while producing cleaner molten aluminium more efficiently. Inductotherm is the leading manufacturer of induction metal melting systems for metal producers today. We design and...
“Visiometa’s goal is nothing less than to drive the evolution of the foundry industry through innovation and rethinking,” Dr Ralf Gerke-Cantow, Managing Director of Visiometa
A seasoned management professional, Dr Ralf Gerke-Cantow, the Managing Director of Visiometa GmbH, has a rich background in foundry engineering, specialising in investment casting of aluminium and titanium. With 19 years of hands-on experience in the industry, he brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his role at Visiometa GmbH. Ralf began his journey by studying foundry technology at the Gießen-Friedberg University of Applied Sciences, laying a solid foundation for his career. Throughout his professional life, he has excelled in various capacities, including customer advisory and calculation, research and development, and management of titanium production involving several hundred employees. His dedication to continuous improvement is evident through his pursuit of a PhD at TU...
“Our commitment is to serve our customers by delivering optimal technological solutions tailored to their specific needs within our areas of expertise,” Associated Industrial Furnaces (P) Ltd. (AIFL)
Headquartered in Kolkata, Associated Industrial Furnaces (P) Ltd. (AIFL) operates from its central project office, strategically extending its presence nationwide through a robust network of regional and branch offices. Complemented by dedicated representatives strategically positioned in major metropolitan areas and key locations across India, AIFL ensures comprehensive coverage and accessibility throughout the country. AL Circle: Can you provide an overview of your company's history and role in the aluminium casthouse equipment sector? AIFL: Since its inception in 1988, Associated Industrial Furnaces (P) Ltd. (AIFL) has emerged as India's foremost furnace and ancillary equipment manufacturer, catering to both ferrous and non-ferrous industries. Bolstered by the technological expertise...
"Atomic13 is focused on commercialising its ShAPE technology that manufactures high-quality aluminium extrusions from 100% post-consumer scrap, thereby reducing embodied carbon by 80-90%," Eric Donsky, Innovator, Chairman & CEO of Atomic13
Eric Donsky is a serial deep tech entrepreneur, having founded the first industrial synthetic biology and bio-based chemical company, which was spun out of 4 national labs funded by the U.S. DoE, including PNNL. This company went public on the NYSE at a $1B+ valuation. His latest venture, Atomic13, focuses on upcycling aluminium scrap into high-value aluminium extruded parts for the building and construction industry. The DoE has developed a highly novel solid-phase process technology that converts 100% post-consumer aluminium scrap into extruded parts that meet or exceed the ASTM standards on structural specifications for various aluminium alloys, including 6061 and 6063. AL Circle: Give our readers a brief introduction about yourself and your startup, Atomic13. Eric Donsky : I am a...
“Many foundries are ‘Hidden Champions,’ which are not visible to potential customers but perform well. SUpplyDU.com want to give these companies a stage and the possibility of being easily recognized by relevant buyers,” SUpplyDU.com
With over two decades of dedicated experience in the casting and automotive sectors, Kai Maier has assumed various management positions, leveraging his expertise in casting and market dynamics. Currently serving as the Co-Founder and General Manager for Europe at SupplyDu.com, he is pivotal in steering the company's strategic direction and operational excellence within the region. Maier's profound industry knowledge and leadership have driven growth and innovation in the automotive and casting domains. Matthias Bressau brings extensive leadership experience in materials management and operations across various European and Asian industries. With a proven track record, he assumes the role of Co-Founder and General Manager for the Asia Pacific region. As an industry expert and a specialist...
