Can Oklahoma reshape US aluminium supply? EGA’s Ziad Fares explains the project
As the US seeks to rebuild its domestic aluminium production capacity, Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) and Century Aluminum are advancing plans for a new primary aluminium smelter in Inola, Oklahoma, targeting more than 750,000 tonnes of annual production. In this exclusive conversation with AL Circle, Ziad Fares, Project Director for Oklahoma Primary Aluminum , discusses the project’s strategic rationale, progress towards a targeted construction start in early 2027, planned smelting technology, power and infrastructure requirements, investment considerations, and its potential impact on US aluminium supply chains. He also addresses environmental safeguards and stakeholder concerns. Fares brings more than 20 years of experience across engineering, strategy, finance, metals and mining, and...
The lower the aluminium content of the dross, the greater the aluminium recovery benefit RAME can achieve
In a recent conversation with AL Circle, Eric Lefebvre, Vice President of Business Development at Lefebvre Industri-AL, discussed the company’s approach to recovering and recycling aluminium residues and its role in advancing the circular economy. Based in Quebec, Lefebvre Industri-AL develops solutions, including RAME technology, that transform aluminium residues into reusable resources while helping producers reduce their environmental footprint and improve operational efficiency. With extensive experience in the industrial sector, Lefebvre works with aluminium producers, technology partners and other industry stakeholders to develop strategic partnerships and expand markets. His approach focuses on turning the industry’s environmental challenges into economically viable opportunities...
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“The ideal digital transformation for the aluminium industry would be the elimination of human workers in production shops and the control of technological processes with the maximum level of safety,” Sergey Kidakov, Founder, GreenAlum Project
Spearheaded by Sergey Kidakov, at the helm of the innovative GreenAlum project, a remarkable journey has unfolded in engineering and information systems across diverse industries. Armed with a comprehensive education in information systems and construction engineering, Kidakov's proficiency extends seamlessly into various domains. Since its inception in 2014, the GreenAlum project has seen substantial progress, boasting a team of seasoned professionals with extensive aluminium and mechanical engineering expertise. Many team members hold dual higher education degrees and possess academic accolades in technical and chemical sciences. The GreenAlum initiative is dual-faceted, focusing on pioneering new technology for primary aluminium production and championing a waste-free approach to...
“Since the launch of the LMEpassport, CoA documentation accompanying metal is now digitised by LME warehouses using the LMEpassport platform, therefore solving the issues of losing the paper CoA in transit or the paper CoA document degrading over time,” Hugo Brodie, Head of Product Development & Innovation, LME
Hugo is Head of Product Development & Innovation at the London Metal Exchange. He is responsible for identifying, designing, and launching new products and services at the Exchange, including partnering with industry players to drive innovation across the metals industry. Prior to this, he was Vice President for Sustainability, focused on designing and implementing the LME’s responsible sourcing and broader sustainability goals. Hugo joined the LME in September 2015, having previously worked in Integrated Supply & Trading at BP. AL Cirlce: Please brief us on LMEpassport and its role as a central registry for sustainability credentials in the metals and mining industry. Hugo Brodie: Metals are an essential enabler of a sustainable future. As global demand for metals increases, so will the...
“The ongoing technological disruptions are poised to reshape the metals and mining industry, focusing on sustainability, efficiency, and innovation,” Benoit Verreault, Executive Vice-President of Maestria Solutions.
Speaker, columnist, and technical writer Benoit Verreault has been involved in several organisations as an administrator, board of directors, and technical advisor. He has developed a large clientele in Canada and several countries, from Norway to India, the United States, the Middle East, and Australia, from scratch. Involved for over 25 years in projects using information technology applications in manufacturing in Canada and overseas. Has been CEO for many years for the Centre de Geomatic du Québec, a Technology Transfer Centre specialising in Geomatics (CCTC), Gus Technologie and Groupe Uni-Spec. Worked among other mandates with Hydro-Quebec, Alcan Research Centre (now RTA), Bombardier and Régie d'Assurance Agricole. Implementation of mobile solutions (software + electronics) for...
“GlassPoint has deployed more than half of all the solar steam for industry in the world, and the company has been reliably producing solar steam for over a decade”, Rod MacGregor, CEO, GlassPoint.
Rod MacGregor is the founding CEO of GlassPoint. Under his leadership, GlassPoint has created the only solution proven at scale to reduce carbon emissions from industrial process heat and has built more than half of global industrial solar steam capacity. He is committed to helping industrial leaders cost-effectively decarbonize to meet pressing net-zero commitments. Rod has led global companies across the United States, Europe, China and the Middle East for more than three decades. Rod’s companies have partnered with various multinational corporations in the energy and technology industries, including Royal Dutch Shell, AT&T, Intel, and Volkswagen. AL Circle: Can you provide an overview of GlassPoint's enclosed trough technology and how it harnesses sunshine to produce steam for...
"There are two ways to decarbonise the aluminium sector. First is to reduce emissions on the upstream production end of the business. And second is to significantly ramp up recycling of the metal." Matt Meenan, Vice President, External Affairs at The Aluminum Association
An interview with Matt Meenan, The Vice President, External Affairs at The Aluminum Association. Matt Meenan became a part of the Aluminum Association in December 2012, steadily taking on more significant roles in managing the association's external communications. As the Vice President of External Affairs, he now heads the department and crafts strategies to promote aluminium, address external challenges, and safeguard the association's brand and industry. AL Circle: What key areas of research should be prioritised to achieve greater environmental responsibility and resource efficiency? Matt: There are basically two ways to decarbonise the aluminium sector. First is to reduce emissions on the upstream production end of the business. And second is to significantly ramp up recycling of the...
“Our primary focus is to support the development of new market opportunities and help local companies make effective uses of aluminium through design optimization,” Francois Racine, CEO of AluQuébec
Francois Racine has been the chief executive officer of AluQuébec, Québec’s aluminium cluster, since February 2021. He manages the organisation’s operations and ensures the cluster’s outreach throughout Québec’s aluminium ecosystem. Previously, from 2012 to 2020, Mr. Racine was president and administrator at Alcoa Innovation. He was also director of business development within Alcoa Aluminium’s Global strategy team from 2017 to 2020. In that position, he led an annual planification process and executed key strategic initiatives for the multinational company. Also, within that same organisation, Mr. Racine was director of business development at Alcoa Canada from 2011 to 2017. His role was to identify and support implementing cost-reducing initiatives and value-creating projects in Alcoa...
“In terms of specific sectors, we see the potential for continued growth in transportation and recovery in the packaging and in the building and construction sectors,” Renato Bacchi, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, Alcoa Corp.
Renato Bacchi is the Executive VP and CCO of Alcoa Corp, overseeing sales, marketing, supply chain, and more. He previously held roles in strategy, finance, and treasury at Alcoa. Renato joined Alcoa in 1997, working on energy projects and material procurement in Brazil. He holds an MBA and CFA designation and completed the Advanced Management Program at Harvard University. Renato also serves on the board of directors for The Tull Family Theatre, a nonprofit in Pittsburgh. AL Circle: Alcoa has a strong commitment to sustainability. What are the key sustainability initiatives that Alcoa has undertaken to reduce its environmental footprint in the Americas? Renato Bacchi: At Alcoa, we are reinventing the aluminium industry for a sustainable future. We believe the market for sustainable...
“Inductotherm's advanced solid-state power supply technology is one of the main reasons we hold the majority share in the American market,” Michael P. Looby, Director of Sales – Canada & Senior District Manager, Inductotherm Corp.
Over 17 years at Inductotherm Corp, Mike held several key roles. Starting in 2006 as a Field Service Engineer, he commissioned new induction melting and heating systems, gaining deep product knowledge. In 2008, he became District Manager for the Southeast U.S., using his technical background to work with manufacturing companies. In 2018, Mike became Senior District Manager, mentoring new team members and sharing successful sales strategies. His promotion to Director of Inter-Company Sales, collaborating with global Inductotherm entities, occurred in 2021. His role as Director of Sales for Inductotherm Group Canada began in 2023. AL Circle: Can you give a brief overview of Inductotherm's history and its significant milestones in the induction metal melting systems industry? Michael P....
“We are proud to be recognised as the most environmentally-friendly aluminium smelter in North America,” Jean-Pierre Bérubé, Vice President – Asset Management and Maintenance of Aluminerie Alouette
Jean-Pierre Bérubé joined Aluminerie Alouette in 2006 as Director of Maintenance. He subsequently held positions in the continuous improvement department as well as in the casthouse, metal shipping and energy sectors. In 2019, he became Senior Director, Metal and was responsible for the operation and optimisation of the potrooms, the gas treatment centres, and the casthouse. In 2021, he was appointed Vice President responsible for the anode plant, asset management and maintenance, potrooms and casthouse. Mr Bérubé, originally from Rimouski, Quebec (Canada), holds a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from Laval University. He began his career on the North Shore in the pulp and paper industry which led him to settle in the municipality of Port-Cartier in 1997. He then held various...
"ABAL has been engaged in a series of discussions aiming to improve regulatory frameworks to enable the creation of a business environment that recognises the strategic importance of the aluminium industry." Janaina Donas, Executive President at ABAL (Brazilian Aluminium Association)
AL Circle: What are some recent initiatives and projects ABAL has been working on to promote the sustainable growth of the aluminium industry in Brazil and the Americas? Janaina: ABAL has been engaged in a series of discussions aiming to improve regulatory frameworks to enable the creation of a business environment that recognises the strategic importance of the aluminium industry, its competitive advantages, and the strengthening of our competitiveness. Among those initiatives, ABAL have provided contributions to discussions related to the overcoming of barriers to the Brazilian business environment within the scope of the Brazil Cost Reduction Project, led by the Brazilian government. ABAL also participates in the collaborative network Made in Brasil Ilimitado (MiBI), an initiative...
“The aluminium industry in the Americas has been facing various challenges in recent years, such as the global oversupply of aluminium, which has led to low prices and reduced profitability for many companies in the industry, along with energy contract uncertainties.” - EPIQ Machinery
AL Circle: How prompt is the American market in incorporating the latest technologies in the domestic aluminium industry? What is the current market size of aluminium technologies in the Americas? EPIQ: Incorporating the latest technologies to reduce energy consumption and achieve carbon neutrality is a crucial step towards sustainability for primary aluminium producers. Canada has a strong focus on environmental initiatives, and many companies in the country are actively working towards these goals. By adopting innovative technologies, such as advanced process control systems, energy-efficient equipment, and renewable energy sources, primary aluminium producers can significantly reduce their carbon footprint. These technologies can help optimize production processes, minimize waste, and...
“Q1 2024 is anticipated to mirror Q4 2023, with no market peak expected, as the declining demand for aluminium continues to reduce the premium”, Dr Emrah Fahri OZDOGRU, Co-Owner & General Manager, of TRI METALURJI.
Emrah Fahri Ozdogru is co-owner and General Manager of TRI METALURJI. He is a metallurgist, and in 2009, he earned his PhD degree. He has 25 years of experience in the aluminium industry as a variety of Researchers in the Research Institute, Engineer and then as Manager at Casthouse and Extrusion Factory and Rolling Company. He set the TRI in 2016, and now, seven engineers and one technician are working in TRI. He is co-owner of LIME Billet Casthouse with eight team members as well. TRI is an engineering company and works based on the Project with the following frames: training, technical consultancy, alloy development, material characterization lab-scale and pilot-scale aluminium casting. TRI works 50% with domestic market needs and 50% with the other countries, mainly from Europe. AL...
“Unlike steel or iron, aluminium requires highly specialized industrial ovens and controls to meet stringent temperature uniformity and precision heat treatment,” Tasha Jamaluddin, Managing Director, Epcon Industrial Systems, LP.
Tasha Jamaluddin is Managing Director of Epcon Industrial Systems, LP, widely published with technical expertise across industrial applications. She graduated from Harvard Business School with a Master’s Degree from NYU, a certified LEED, AP with the US Green Building Council, and OSHA 30 Certified in General Industry Safety. She is Vice Chair of the Environmental Technology Trade Advisory Committee (ETTAC) to the US Department of Commerce. AL Circle: Can you briefly introduce Epcon Industrial Systems and its specialization in the American aluminium industry as well as globally? Tasha Jamaluddin: Epcon is a global leader in engineering and manufacturing integrated Air Pollution Control and Process Heating Equipment for the aluminium industry. With over 45 years’ experience and 4,500...
“As we head into 2024/2025, we believe there will be a very large increase in scrap melting capacity throughout North America of approximately 2.5 billion lbs. in increased melt capacity,” Michael Siemer, President & CEO of Sortera Technologies
Michael Siemer is the President and CEO of Sortera Technologies. Before joining Sortera, Mr Siemer served as president of OSIsoft, the data management platform company now part of Aveva, where he oversaw the strategic vision and future of OSIsoft, created and led the new executive committee and supported the company’s global revenue growth and subscription transition. Prior to OSIsoft, he served as vice president of operations technology at Devon Energy. He has a BS in electrical engineering from Syracuse University, an MS in electrical engineering from Colorado State University, and an MBA from Oklahoma Christian University. In this interview, Mr Siemer shares his overview of the aluminium recycling and sorting industry in the Americas and the role Sortera is playing in this sector with...
“I would like to show everyone waste might not be waste if you can discover its beauty and alternative uses,” Wong Ka Man (Charlotte), Founder of coffee pod recycling brand Wind.n.Sand
Wind.n.Sand is an upcycling jewellery and ornament brand from Hong Kong. The Founder and Designer of Wind.n.Sand, Wong Ka Man (Charlotte), started making coffee capsule jewellery three years ago. She started promoting her brand by joining different weekend markets and collaborating with different companies for souvenir making. The workshop is also one of the important medium for Wind.n.Sand to educate the general public. In 2023, she was awarded The Upcycling Innovator Award and the Green Chic Award in the Reborn! Upcycling Design Award 2023. Her encouraging story was also being shared on SCMP, Yahoo! and RTHK. Recently, she had her first exhibition with the use of the material - coffee capsules. It was her first time creating larger-scale art pieces than jewellery, and more will be in...
“The global trend in the railway sector is moving toward materials that offer a balance between strength, durability, and lightweight properties, and aluminium stands out as a key material contributing to these advancements”, L C Trivedi, Railway Expert
A distinguished railway professional, L C Trivedi, with over 40 years of exemplary service, boasts a remarkable career deeply rooted in Indian Railways. With an engineering degree and management education from prestigious institutions such as HEC Paris and Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, USA, he has consistently demonstrated his commitment to excellence. A Fellow of the Institute of Mechanical Engineers in London, L C Trivedi currently holds the esteemed position of Chair of the Railway Division of India within the Institute of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE). His journey in the railways began in 1981, when he spent two formative years at NTPC, followed by a transition to Indian Railways, where he would go on to achieve remarkable feats. In June 2021, L C Trivedi retired as the...
"Automation and robotics have become integral to mining operations. Autonomous vehicles, drones, and robotic systems are being used for exploration, excavation, and transportation within mines", Sanjoy Chatterjee, Co-Founder & Director of Entiovi Technologies.
An experienced engineer from Tata Motors and Tata Technologies background, Sanjoy Chatterjee holds an M.Tech from the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Kharagpur. His entrepreneurial venture began 15 years ago when he established several innovative startups, including Ideation Technology Solutions, Ideal Analytics Solutions, and Entiovi Technologies. These ventures have been dedicated to pioneering advancements in Defence, Healthcare, Transportation, and Environmental Technology. Sanjoy's passion lies in developing cutting-edge software products and solutions in Analytics & Data Science, IoT, and Enterprise Mobility. In addition to his entrepreneurial endeavours, he serves as the Chair of NASSCOM East, further demonstrating his commitment to the tech industry's growth and...
"We are driving through an aspiration to be the lead in the integrated aluminium industry in Africa with the view to adding value to our raw materials" - Michael Ansah, CEO of Ghana Integrated Aluminium Development Corporation (GIADEC)
AL Circle had the pleasure of talking to Michael Ansah, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ghana Integrated Aluminium Development Corporation (GIADEC). GIADEC is a wholly owned Government of Ghana entity that has been established with a mandate to promote and develop Ghana’s Integrated Aluminium Industry. He is also a member of the Volta Aluminium Company (Valco) Board of Directors (a wholly-owned subsidiary of GIADEC. Prior to his appointment as CEO of GIADEC, Michael was Senior Vice President (SVP) at Dell Technologies, with responsibilities for Global operations across over 180 countries. In a career spanning over 30 years, he has held a number of senior executive leadership roles. He was a Director/Associate Partner at PWC Consulting/IBM Business Consulting Services. He was also...
