A should-cost analysis of an aluminium tower furnace in India: Comparing the economics of LPG, PNG, and electric energy sources
In precision non-ferrous casting and high-volume die-casting operations, thermal energy conversion represents one of the largest controllable operating expenses. In modern aluminium foundries, where margins are squeezed by primary metal price fluctuations and stringent customer cost breakdowns, even a modest INR 1–2/kg variance in liquid metal melting cost can translate into tens of lakhs of rupees in annual cost differences. A rigorous, transparent should-cost benchmark is therefore essential for procurement teams, foundry managers and strategic sourcing leaders. This analysis examines a baseline should-cost model for a 1,000 kg/hour aluminium shaft or tower furnace in an industrial foundry. It compares liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), piped natural gas (PNG) and electric energy across...
Germany’s construction aluminium demand falls 12%, but 2027 recovery and recycling offer fresh growth prospects
Germany’s construction industry has endured several years of contraction, weighed down by elevated financing costs, expensive building materials and subdued residential investment. The downturn has also affected the country’s aluminium industry, with estimated construction-related aluminium consumption declining by around 12 per cent between 2022 and 2025. However, the outlook is beginning to change. With Germany’s construction industry projected to return to growth in 2026 and accelerate further in 2027, opportunities are emerging for aluminium suppliers across residential construction, transport infrastructure, energy networks and commercial developments. At the same time, efforts to strengthen closed-loop aluminium recycling in buildings could provide an additional avenue for growth....
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Indian mines ministry may push for duty hike on primary aluminium products
The Ministry of Mines, India, is expected to consider pushing for a hike in the customs duty on primary aluminium products to provide relief to an industry suffering from low prices and underutilised manufacturing capacity. "We have asked the industry to make a representation to push their case before we take up the matter with the concerned departments of the government. The aluminium manufacturers are expected to meet me within a week," said Balvinder Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Mines on the sidelines of the National Conclave on Mines & Minerals in Raipur, Chhattisgarh. In Budget 2016-17, the government had raised customs duty on primary aluminium products to 7.5 per cent from 5 per cent earlier. However, the industry-wide capacity utilisation remains low at around 50 per cent. Prices...
Reynaers supplies bespoke aluminium systems for Prague’s Crystal building
Prague’s desirable Vinohrady district has got a striking new addition to its skyline – The Crystal offices, a project that demonstrate how far boundaries can be pushed with aluminium curtain walling to create original spaces and bespoke shapes. Crystal is made up of two main parts, which together create a compact unit. They are sliced by a striking sharp chasm, leading to the inspiration behind the name. Supported by bespoke aluminium systems from Reynaers, the significant height and distinctive shape means that this building has a unique and unexpected look, from every angle. The innovative build is found beside the busy Vinohradská Boulevard opposite one of Prague’s largest cemeteries, Olšany, and the post-modern 1990s Don Giovanni hotel. It was commissioned by the GES REAL development...
Aluworks nears closing in on US$25m turnaround deal with Vedanta Resources
Aluworks announced that they are close to sealing a US$25million strategic investment deal with Vendata Resources, one of the world’s largest natural resources companies with an interest in aluminium and other resources. “We are talking in a matter of weeks,” Ralph Rossouw, a Director of Vendata Resources told the B&FT on the sidelines of Aluworks’ AGM in Accra, in respect of how close they are to the deal. “We will resolve the debt issue with SSNIT and VALCO, and then more importantly do value added products. So we are looking at a foil line which is considered a higher value added product…we will then compete far more than the Chinese. We will replace the Chinese market in Ghana as well as in Nigeria. But that can only be done if we do bauxite mining and alumina refining,” Ralph Rossouw...
Siemens' world-record electric motor makes first flight
Siemens researchers have developed a new type of electric motor that, with a weight of just 50 kilograms, delivers a continuous output of about 260 kilowatts – five times more than comparable drive systems. This record-setting propulsion system successfully completed its first public flight today at Schwarze Heide Airport near Dinslaken, Germany, where it – almost silently – powered an Extra 330LE aerobatic airplane. The new drive system had already made its maiden flight on June 24th 2016. This advance means that hybrid-electric aircraft with four or more seats will now be possible. "This day will change aviation," said Frank Anton, head of eAircraft at Siemens' central research unit Corporate Technology. "This is the first time that an electric aircraft in the quarter-megawatt...
LME aluminium to face downward pressure
Market will eye US May durable goods orders today. Crude oil prices will meet pressure from recovering supply. LME aluminium will test support at the 5-day moving average and move at USD 1,635-1,655/mt. SHFE 1609 aluminium will move at RMB 12,300-12,500/mt on Monday. In China’s spot aluminium market, spot premiums of RMB 60-100/mt are expected over SHFE 1607 aluminium contract. Key Macroeconomic Indicators for Base Metal Prices Eurozone retail sales and US factory and durable goods orders in May will be released today. Base metals should diverge today. Should Caixin’s service PMI in May weaken, market expectations that Chinese economy will slide further will grow, and will in turn weigh down base metals. Eurozone retail sales in May will likely improve, as Germany’s monthly and annualized...
CBIX nudges higher (+2.4%), mixed messages from Malaysia
CBIX rose over the week, up 2.4 per cent (US$1.1) to US$46.9/dmt on the back of higher ViU-priced Guinean material, partially offset by lower ViU-adjusted prices from other regions. Malaysian FOB prices continue to hold their ground, quoted at US$25/dmt to US$26/dmt for unwashed material, with washed material fetching around US$37/dmt FOB. Reports out of Malaysia over the week quoted stockpiles as high as 5.4 Mt at or near the port of Kuantan. Our own intel suggests stockpiles of around 1.5 to 2 Mt at or near the port, with exporters ready to resume operations as soon as the ban is lifted. Larger miners have mostly taken the measures necessary to conform with new environmental requirements and are now waiting for the ban to be lifted. When it is, exports are likely to resume quickly....
Coca-Cola denies its limited edition UEFA Euro 2016 aluminium bottles contain alcohol
Coca-Cola Malaysia refuted allegations that its imported Coca-Cola UEFA Euro 2016 limited edition aluminium bottles sold in selected outlets in the country contain alcohol. It said although the limited edition aluminium bottles were not produced in Malaysia but imported from Europe, “the ingredients and manufacturing process used in the production of Coca-Cola beverage are rigorously regulated by the government and health authorities in more than 200 countries which have consistently recognised the drink as a non-alcoholic product”. “These include countries where Islam is the major religion,” it said in a statement, here, today. “The company understands the local market and recognises and respects the importance of reassuring the Muslim consumers that its products meet the strict halal...
Goa Carbon reports 15,059.100 MT of calcined petroleum coke production for June
Goa Carbon has reported production of 15,059.100 MT (million tonnes) of Calcined Petroleum Coke for the month of June 2016. Of the total production achieved for the month, Bilaspur plant produced 1,834.000 MT of Calcined Petroleum Coke, Goa plant produced 2,519.100 MT of Calcined Petroleum Coke while Pradeep plant has produced 10,706.000 MT of Calcined Petroleum Coke. On the sales front, the company has sold a total of 13,988.570 MT of Calcined Petroleum Coke products for the month of June 2016. Of the total sales achieved for the month, Bilaspur plant, Goa plant and Paradeep plant of the company sold 1,614.700 MT; 4,409.820 MT and 7,964.050 MT respectively. Goa Carbon is into the business of manufacturing and marketing Calcined Petroleum Coke. Goa Carbon is firmly established as a...
Alcoa to announce second quarter 2016 results and host webcast
Alcoa plans to announce its second quarter 2016 financial results on Monday, July 11 after the market closes. The press release will be available on the Investor section of Alcoa's website, and a link to the press release will also be available on Alcoa's twitter handle. A conference call to discuss the quarterly results and business developments will be held on Monday, July 11 beginning at 5:00 p.m. EDT. The conference call will be webcast live via Alcoa's website, with presentation materials available concurrently with the press release. Analysts are expecting a decent quarter of results starting with Alcoa on July 11th. Unless the clash with Alumina has an impact on the results, Alcoa is expected to report a positive result for the second quarter.
Texas Tech researchers develop ways to make fireworks’ aluminium fuel safer
Researchers at Texas Tech University in Lubbock have developed a method for stabilizing aluminium fuel powder used in fireworks that increases their shelf life and, as a result, makes them safer to use. Aluminium powder is used as a fuel for both commercial-grade and professional-grade fireworks. Although it works well in that role, it also degrades quickly, sometimes becoming unstable and no longer fully combustible in as short as a few months. These duds don’t always become completely inert however, and still can (and sometimes do) detonate and injure individuals who return to investigate why the firework has not yet gone off. “The duds are usually the most dangerous fireworks,” said Michelle Pantoya, a professor and J.W. Wright Regents Chair in the department of mechanical engineering...
Ford edges out General Motors in pickup truck sales
Ford Motor Co. narrowly beat General Motors Co. in sales of full-size pickup trucks during the half of this year. Ford’ F-Series pickup sales rose 10.7 percent to 395,244 through the end of June, according to industry data issued Friday. GM, by comparison, sold a combined 382,134 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickups – just a 0.9 percent gain – during the same period. Silverado sales have fallen slightly this year, despite aggressive marketing that included a commercial showing a dropped tool chest punching a hole in the bed of the rival F-150 pickup. The spot was a knock on the aluminum architecture of the Ford’s body and bed. “With Chevrolet sales flat, one wonders if the splashy incentive program that kicked off June and the provocative Silverado steel bed versus Ford’s F-150...
AluK aluminium curtain walling, window and door systems specified for Lifetime Homes at London
The former Mardyke Estate in Rainham, east London, has undergone a substantial transformation to make way for a new residential development, Orchard Village. Circle Housing has invested £80million to redevelop the old housing estate, creating 555 new homes to meet local affordable housing needs. Designed by PRP Architects and developed in its entirety by Willmott Dixon, the project specified AluK aluminium curtain walling, window and door systems throughout all four phases, three of which have been completed. To meet security requirements, all windows and doors complied to the Secured By Design (SBD) initiative, with the GT55 TB commercial door systems integrating electric strike access with key fob entry. The AluK GT55 TB is believed to be the first aluminium commercial door system to be...
TOPEEDOBOT launches folding portable 3D printer with aluminium construction
A new portable 3D printer that is capable of being folded up or down to help with transportation, has been launched this week via the Kickstarter crowdfunding website by 3DSTUFFSNL, a development company based in the Netherlands. The TOPEEDOBOT wireless connectable, portable 3D printer has been constructed using a strong yet lightweight aluminium framework and is capable of near silent print operation, as well as being able to print in multiple colours, says its creators. The frame of the printer is designed and made of extruded aluminium profile, giving the TOPEEDOBOT a rigid solid structural frame. Assembled with custom, aluminium parts designed by Emmanuel A. TOPEEDOBOT is designed and developed for professionals, hobbyists, students, makers and thinkers. Thanks to feedback, comments...
Siegenia supplies new TITAN tilt and turn aluminium systems to Carl F Groupco
Carl F Groupco has extended its range of Siegenia hardware with the addition of the TITAN AF, a tilt and turn system newly introduced to the UK market. Key features include the AF concealed axxent 24+ variant, a completely new design, providing a completely jigless solution for the majority of profiles, with sash load bearing capabilities up to 150kg. The system can also be easily and economically upgraded to comply with PAS 24 for security. The expansion of Carl F Groupco’s Siegenia range reinforces the strong decade long partnership between the distributor and manufacturer. The ALU 4200 and axxent ranges have been extremely successful tilt and turn aluminium systems for Carl F Groupco and the company is confident that the new AF system will be equally as popular. Commenting, John...
SHFE aluminum to aeet strong resistance
SHFE 1609 aluminum will meet strong resistance and move at RMB 12,550-12,800/mt on Monday. Positive June manufacturing PMIs from major economies will push LME aluminum up to USD 1,650-1,675/mt. In China’s spot aluminum market, spot premiums of RMB 0-40/mt are expected over SHFE 1607 aluminum contract.
Aluminium poised near the range resistance
The MCX-Aluminium future continued to trade within the INR97-INR112 range for the sixth consecutive month. It is currently poised near INR112; the upper end of the range. If the contract reverses lower from here, it can then fall to INR105 and INR103 in the coming weeks. On the other hand, a strong break above INR112 can take the contract higher to INR115, which is a key long-term resistance. A strong break and a decisive weekly close above INR115 will reduce the possibility of a fresh fall . Such a break can take the contract higher to INR120 or even INR125 over the medium term. But, inability to break above INR115 can drag the contract lower to INR112. If the contract manages to sustain above INR112, a sideways move between INR112 and INR115 is possible for some time. But a strong break...
Vedanta seeks quick supply of bauxite in Odisha
With plans to raise alumina production at its Lanjigarh refinery in Odisha's Kalahandi district by 50 per cent, bauxite starved Vedanta today sought quick steps for raw material supply from within the state. "We plan to enhance production in Lanjigarh refinery from 1 million tonne per annum to 1.5 mtpa, a 50 per cent increase. It will help in raising overall aluminium output," said Abhijit Pati, Chief Executive Officer (Aluminium) of Vedanta Ltd. Around three million tonnes of alumina would be required in order to produce 1.5 mt of aluminium, he said adding that the company's move to increase production would enable Lanjigarh refinery would provide 1.5 mt alumina. Regarding the rest, Pati said the balance requirement would have to be met through imports. Though the refinery at Lanjigarh...
Alcoa to supply aluminium sheet under multi-year, $470 mln contract with Embraer
Lightweight metals leader Alcoa announced yesterday a long-term contract with Embraer – the leading manufacturer of commercial jets up to 130 seats – valued at approximately $470 million. Under the multiyear agreement, Alcoa will supply aluminium sheet and plate for Embraer’s new E2s, the second generation of its E-Jets family of commercial aircraft, a narrow-body medium-range jet airliner. The Embraer E-Jets E2 were launched at the Paris Airshow in 2013 and are scheduled to enter into service in 2018. “Our partnership with Embraer is rooted in constant innovation and this contract is further proof of that strength,” said Mark Vrablec, President of Alcoa’s Aerospace & Automotive Products business. “Our patented alloys enable us to support our customer’s game-changing E2 program, and we’re...
