Beyond aluminium smelting capacity, we propose to incentivise emissions cuts to support wider decarbonisation: Ed Boyd, Mission Possible Partnership
As the European Council seeks political alignment on the Industrial Accelerator Act (IAA), the debate over how to accelerate aluminium decarbonisation in bringing emissions accounting and demand for low-carbon metal into focus. Against the backdrop of Mission Possible Partnership’s (MPP) open letter, AL Circle speaks with Ed Boyd, MPP’s Global Policy Lead, about the policies needed to support the European aluminium industry’s transition. Boyd argues that effective decarbonisation must account for emissions from alumina refining and track Scope 2 emissions associated with purchased electricity. On mandatory green procurement and lead-market thresholds of at least 50 per cent for aluminium, he says producers are ready to supply low-carbon metal at scale and considers the proposed threshold...
EU-India FTA, CBAM and carbon costs: Can Indian aluminium crack the European market?
A former Deputy Secretary General of the European Parliament and Director of the EPP Group, Paolo Licandro, has extensive experience in European policymaking, international relations, industry, energy and EU affairs. He is currently the Founder and CEO of eEuropa Belgium and Editor of eEuropa.Blog. He has worked with European prime ministers, ministers and EU commissioners and has held senior roles covering EU enlargement, Mediterranean and Middle East relations, and industry, research and energy. A nuclear engineer, he holds a master’s degree from Politecnico di Milano and has worked with ENI, ARS-Pragma and the EU Joint Research Centre. In this interview, Paolo Licandro shares his perspective on EU–India aluminium trade, CBAM and the opportunities for Indian producers in Europe. AL...
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“For 2022 we will see high aluminium prices throughout the year and even further on. This will increase investments in the aluminium sector and therefore the project pipeline will further grow”, Patrik Ernst - Director Aluminium Division at REEL International
AlCircle: What was the motive behind the screen that drove REEL International to acquire the Aluminium Emission Control business of GE Steam Power in Norway? Mr Patrik Ernst: Over the last years REEL realized that our clients would always go for bigger packages when executing either brownfield or Greenfield projects in the aluminium industry. This was particularly true in the courtyard of an aluminium smelter where the Gas Treatment Center (GTC) was often awarded together with all materials handling equipment. With the expert materials handling company Alesa already in the REEL portfolio, the missing link was the emission control aspect to provide our clients out of one hand the full courtyard portfolio. REEL has worked in the past with the emission control team of GE either as a supplier...
“BALCO is a strong proponent of leveraging next-generation technology to make its manufacturing process sustainable”, Abhijit Pati, CEO & Director of Bharat Aluminium Company Limited (BALCO)
AlCircle: What is the present situation of BALCO’s capacity and products manufactured? Mr. Abhijit Pati: Bharat Aluminium Company Limited (BALCO) is India’s iconic aluminium producer. It is owned 49% by the Government of India and 51% by Vedanta Limited. BALCO is part of Vedanta’s Aluminium Business, a division of Vedanta Limited, which is India’s largest manufacturer of aluminium. BALCO operates a 0.57 million tonne per annum aluminium smelter in Korba, Chhattisgarh. With its world-class smelter and power plants, the company fulfils its mission of spurring emerging applications of aluminium as the ‘Metal of the Future’ for a greener tomorrow. BALCO specializes in ‘Hot Rolled Products’ and has several firsts recorded under its name such as we have one of the earliest mills in the world...
“Over recent years, the automotive industry has been the key driver for aluminium casting, and I believe that the industry will continue to keep this position”, Mr Alexander Krokhin, Director - Developments of Casting Technologies and New Materials at RUSAL
Alexander Krokhin graduated from the National University of Science and Technology and is a qualified engineer specialising in “Machines and Technology of Metal Processing by Pressure”. Alexander was previously the Technical Director of the Rusal's "Moskabelmet" plant based in Moscow, which focused on the production of rolled non-ferrous metals and cable and wire products. Whilst there, he was responsible for the Company’s technological development, research, and innovation activities. He is a highly regarded individual in his field, recognised as a pioneer for technological processes and aluminium materials. AlCircle: What are the major challenges global aluminium foundries are experiencing? What are the ways forward to overcome these challenges to sustain the aluminium foundry industry?...
“Our focus will be on continuing to progress our technology roadmap to enable decarbonization across the value chain, growing demand for our leading portfolio of low-carbon products and drive sustainable value”, Benjamin Kahrs, EVP and Chief Innovation Officer at Alcoa
Benjamin (Ben) Kahrs, the Executive Vice President and Chief Innovation Officer of Alcoa is responsible for the American industrial corporation’s breakthrough innovation and global Information Technology and Automated Solutions (ITAS). He is also a member of Alcoa’s Executive Leadership Team, which sets the strategic direction for the Company. Ben holds a bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering from Clemson University and an MBA from The Citadel plays a vital role in the company’s breakthrough innovation. He oversees Alcoa’s Technical Center, the Company’s Research and Development (R&D) facility for breakthrough smelting technology. He also administers progress on Alcoa’s technology roadmap and his responsibilities for the ITAS team focus on optimizing our global information technology...
“Currently, the EV car and truck industry is growing in addition to the aircraft industry. They will likely have the largest effect on the global aluminium foundry,” Charles W. Vivian, Director - Light Metal Applications & Special Projects, Inductotherm Corp.
Charles W. Vivian started at Inductotherm Corp. in Rancocas, NJ in 1975, working as a mechanic on the manufacturing floor. However, in 1980, he moved from manufacturing to the Sales Department. In 1990, Charles was promoted to District Manager. During his years as District Manager, he covered Mexico, Michigan, the Midwest States and Ontario, Canada. His work took him to all types and sizes of melt shops, including foundries, vacuum casting suppliers, ingot makers, shot makers, recycling operations, precious metal refiners and other scrap reclaiming operations. Charles was promoted to Sales Manager-NAFTA Region in 2017. Currently he is Director of Light Metal Applications and Special Projects. AlCircle: Being a producer of foundry equipment, how far do you think the use of technology has...
“BALCO has been an early adopter of smart technologies for heightened operational efficiencies, which further bolsters the culture of energy optimization, safety, and productivity that we have meticulously fostered across the organization”, Abhijit Pati, CEO & Director of Bharat Aluminum Company Limited (BALCO)
Bharat Aluminium Company Limited (BALCO) was established in 1965 as a Public Sector undertaking in Korba, Chhattisgarh. After its disinvestment in 2001, the Vedanta Group has taken over its management. The plant is hailed as one of India’s greatest disinvestment turnaround success stories, with a massive production capacity of 575,000 tonnes from its initial production of 100,000 tonnes when Vedanta acquired a 51% stake in the plant. Mr Abhijit Pati is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Director of Bharat Aluminum Company Limited. Mr Pati is a name to reckon with the Aluminium Industry for the past three decades and he has joined BALCO after a long stint as Chief Executive Officer of Vedanta Limited’s, Jharsuguda unit, which is one of the largest single location smelters in the world,...
“Looking ahead, production is expected to largely recover by mid-2022, with 2023 on track to again be a record year for Australian bauxite production”, Marghanita Johnson, CEO at Australian Aluminium Council.
Marghanita Johnson has been the Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Aluminium Council since 2019. She has over 20 years of experience in the Australian mining and manufacturing sectors, predominantly within the aluminium industry. Before joining the Council she led government engagement and advocacy on behalf of Rio Tinto’s Pacific Aluminium assets and before that held key climate and sustainability roles at Rio Tinto. Marghanita has Environmental Engineering and Chemistry degrees from the University of Western Australia. She is currently a board member of the Energy Users Association of Australia and Vice-Chair of the Australian Industry Greenhouse Network and has previously been a non-executive director on the boards of the New Zealand Aluminium Smelter and the Tomago Aluminium...
“Arctus Aluminium Ltd. is scaling up its production cells for a pilot plant at Trimet Aluminium in Germany”, Eng. Jon Magnusson, Founder and CEO of Arctus Aluminium
Sustainable Carbon Free Aluminium Process A report from December 2021 by the World Economic Forum and the Energy Transmission Commission with the title “Closing the Gap for Aluminium Emissions” is a described possible technology to reduce CO 2 emissions from the aluminium industry. In this report are listed three corporations developing carbon-free aluminium processes, all based on vertical inert anodes and cathodes in low-temperature electrolyte: Elysis informing to have the technology commercially available in 2024, Rusal to be ready in 2030 and the Icelandic Arctus Aluminium claims to have their technology available also in 2030. AlCircle wanted to know about Arctus Aluminium, the company and process and contacted its CEO and Founder, Eng. Jon Magnusson. AlCircle: What is the status of...
“Aluminium producers are eager for alternative applications for bath, to avoid the unpalatable options of on-site storage or landfill”, Dr Mark Cooksey, CEO of ABx Group
Dr Mark Cooksey is the CEO of ABx Group, which he joined in early 2020. He previously held process improvement and process development leadership positions with Rio Tinto, GE and CSIRO, the national science agency of Australia. Dr Cooksey has focused on process innovation throughout his 25-year career and he has extensive experience in developing and commercialising new processes in the minerals industry, particularly in the aluminium value chain. AlCircle: Congratulations on being appointed as CEO of ABx Group. Could you share Alcore’s success story of producing commercial grade aluminium fluoride from smelter waste products? How is it important to the aluminium smelter? Dr Mark Cooksey: Sodium enters the smelting process as an impurity in the alumina. Aluminium fluoride must be...
“EPIQ Mecfor Casthouse Solution brings the right solutions by considering the holistic and long-term success of the cast house”, EPIQ Mecfor.
EPIQ Machinery is a world leader in heavy equipment for the aluminium, pulp and paper, and rail equipment industries. The company has diversified activities on various niche markets providing a solid installed base and a strong capacity for its aftermarket services. All at EPIQ share the same passion for challenges. The growth is based on deeply embedded values with active listening and the capacity to adapt the offer for greater flexibility. It was a great opportunity for AlCircle to get an interview with the top executives of EPIQ Mecfor. Yannick Beaulé, Chief Revenue Officer Kevin Williams, General Sales Manager – Primary Metals Marty De Goey, Business Development / Application Specialist - Primary Metals Isabelle Gaudreau, Marketing and Communication Coordinator AlCircle: What new...
“As part of the 50th anniversary celebrations, IAI will spotlight the industry's products, people and progress as part of demonstrating how aluminium is shaping a better tomorrow”, Miles Prosser, Secretary General, International Aluminium Institute.
On the 50 th anniversary landmark of the International Aluminium Institute, we are really glad to get an interview from Mr Miles Prosser discussing the role in guiding the global primary aluminium sector toward a more sustainable future. AlCircle: How would you describe the journey so far? Mr Miles Prosser : Over the past fifty years, some things have remained constant while other aspects of the journey have seen some major changes. The IAI has always been focused on sustainability issues – this was present right from the start, along with the idea of building a forum where our members can collaborate to get things done. The specific nature of the sustainability issues may have changed, but our desire to promote aluminium and assist the industry on its sustainability journey hasn't...
“GMG hopes to go into commercial production of 'Graphene Aluminium Ion batteries' in the near term”, Craig Nicol, Founder, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, Graphene Manufacturing Group (GMG)
Craig Nicol with a successful career of over 20 years in delivering large scale innovation including leading multi-billion-dollar gas and LNG value chains in Australia and the Asia Pacific and managing sales and marketing teams across the Asia Pacific working for Shell International. He holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Manufacturing Systems (Honours) and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Marketing from the Queensland University of Technology. We at AlCircle got a wonderful opportunity for an interview in regards to graphene aluminium-ion batteries ("G+AI Battery") with Mr Craig Nicol , Founder, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, Graphene Manufacturing Group (GMG) in regards to graphene aluminium-ion batteries ("G+AI Battery"). AlCircle : With the G+AI batteries already...
“RUSAL had enough courage to step into the ‘unchartered waters’ and try things which other peer companies hadn’t tried”, Irina Bakhtina, Chief Sustainability Officer, Rusal
A graduate in journalism from the Far Eastern State University (Vladivostok), Irina Bakhtina has also completed the INSEAD Business School executive program in Strategic Management and the externship of the Higher School of Management in Economics from St. Petersburg State University. Earlier, Irina Bakhtina served as Deputy Prime Minister of the Komi Republic, where she was responsible for the socio-economic development and the formation of investment and innovation policy in the region, including the Arctic zone of Russia. To know her view about sustainable development and how Rusal is implementing sustainable development strategy across all divisions of the company and on the Group’s wider climate strategy aimed at achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, read the interview below:...
“The current power crisis inside China is about policy deployment gone wrong,” Paul Adkins, Founder and Managing Director, AZ China
Paul Adkins, Founder and Managing Director of specialist consulting firm AZ China Ltd, has had over 30 years of experience in the aluminium industry, including 13 years at Alcoa, 4 years at Tomago Aluminium and 3 years at Alcan Australia. AZ China is a specialist consulting company, with a focus on the global and Chinese aluminium industry. We at AlCircle are really glad to get an interview from Mr Paul Adkins , which is entirely based upon the upcoming AZ China Virtual Conference happening on 16 -18 November 2021and hereby goes the details: AlCircle: What does the theme of AZ China Virtual Conference “Beyond The Horizon” signify? Mr Paul Adkins: May I start by thanking Alcircle for being a media partner for our conference. We greatly appreciate your support. Conferences are a time to...
“The bauxite mining and export have not impacted in Guinea due to this coup, however, it is too early to predict future developments”, Dr Ashok Nandi, Convenor of International Bauxite, Alumina and Aluminium Society (IBAAS).
On 5th September 2021, the world’s second-largest producer of bauxite, Guinea’s military seized power and suspended the constitution, destabilizing the West African nation. AlCircle team reached to Dr Ashok Nandi in regards to the political instability in Guinea and received a prompt reply on it. AlCircle: Did the global aluminium sector had any prior indication of Guinea’s political instability? Dr Ashok Nandi: As such there was no indication of any likely military coup in Guinea. However, after the third term of the present President during October 2020 by amending the constitution of a maximum of 2 terms had created some kind of unrest in the country. Despite exporting more than 80 million tonnes of bauxite per annum, the majority of the Guinean population remained poor and there was...
TAHA’s salt-free technologies have been patented in order to process aluminium dross to recover that same aluminium metal, and the residuals are then further processed into other industrially applicable products, Mr Frank Pollmann, Founder, TAHA International
Frank Pollmann is a German entrepreneur whose business roots in the Gulf region are more than 30 years deep. He founded TAHA International Corporation and has led its transformation from a small trading company in Bahrain to a leading-edge provider of proprietary dross management services to cast house operators worldwide. We at AlCircle are really glad to get a chance to interview Mr Frank Pollmann and hereby goes the details: AlCircle: What exactly TAHA International serves the aluminium industry? Mr Frank Pollmann: TAHA is an international company with corporate headquarters in the Netherlands, and operations based in the Middle East, that offers innovative and environmentally friendly solutions for dross processing for aluminium foundries and remelters. Its benchmark processing system...
“The global rise in Aluminium prices is only a spike driven by strong market sentiments, not by market fundamentals", Dr Tapan Kumar Chand, Resident Director - Vedanta & Former Chairman cum Managing Director of National Aluminium Company (NALCO)
AlCircle team received a great opportunity to interview Dr Tapan Kumar Chand , Resident Director - Vedanta & Former Chairman cum Managing Director of National Aluminium Company (NALCO) following the virtual event of “Indian Aluminium Summit”. AlCircle: What is the major reason behind the surge in the price of Aluminium globally? Dr T.K. Chand: The surge in prices of Aluminium is a part of the general surge of metal prices in the Global Market. In the case of Aluminium, production cut in North-Western Provinces of China due to power rationing, imposition of expert tax by Russia & bullish sentiment towards commodities are primarily responsible for pushing the prices up. These supply constraints have got aggravated due to factors like one third production curtailment at Alumar Alumina...
Automation and Robotics have become important aspects when talked about the global Industrial sector. Especially, automotive, infrastructure and packaging industries are using aluminium as one of the key materials for manufacturing of relevant components, Rahul Prajapat, Founder and CTO, TVARIT.
Driving the world towards sustainable and zero waste manufacturing is something that holds as a vision for a young and passionate technocrat like Rahul Prajapat, Founder and CTO, TVARIT. He is responsible for the Technology and Go to Market activities of the TVARIT GmbH. Prajapat having strong expertise and huge insights in the segment of Smart factory, Industry 4.0, and Metal manufacturing, under his leadership, TVARIT has substantially grown the business and major rollouts of TVARIT’s platform TiA are currently ongoing. AlCircle: How is Industry 4.0 changing the dynamics of the global aluminium and metal industry from TVARIT’s point of view? Mr Rahul Prajapat: The global aluminium and metal industry is facing severe challenges such as high scrap rate, low production due to unplanned...
