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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“Our aim is to strengthen the relationship between GCC & EU,” Mahmood Daylami, Founder & General Secretary, GAC (Gulf Aluminium Council)
The GAC (Gulf Aluminium Council) is an organization that represents, promotes and protects the interests of the aluminium industry within the Gulf region. One of the main objectives of the Council is to provide a forum for the aluminium industry, such as the recent Meeting in Brussels, which was held in February 2016 and attended by outstanding members of the EU parliament and the most relevant exponents of the European and Arab Aluminium industry. In his interview, Mahmood Daylami, Founder and General Secretary of GAC describes from his perspective, the possible strength of an interchange between the GCC and Europe . Excerpts from the interview: AlCircle: How would you describe, in general, the trade relationship between the GCC and the European Union? MD: The trade relationship between...
“Sustainability questions are increasingly important for every industry…aluminium industry is no exception,” Dr Fiona Solomon, Executive Director, Aluminium Stewardship Initiative
The Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) was launched in 2012 to foster greater sustainability and transparency throughout the aluminium industry. Supported by key industry players, ASI is working with a broad base of stakeholders to assess industry-specific sustainability challenges, opportunities and needs. Dr Fiona Solomon is the Executive Director of the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI). Throughout her career, she has been involved in developing new and innovative initiatives along the mineral supply chains. Dr Solomon shares with AlCircle her inputs on the sustainability challenges faced by the aluminium industry and how ASI activities aim to address the issue globally. Excerpts from the interview: AlCircle: In your view, how relevant is the concept of sustainability for the...
Exclusive Speaker Interview: Francois Nadeau, Technical Leader, Aluminium Assembling Technologies, the National Research Council Canada
With the CAFE standards continuously driving the automotive industry towards manufacturing technologies that allow maximum weight reduction while maintaining parts performance has long since became the priority for automakers. GALM series is bringing the 3rd Annual Lightweight Vehicle Manufacturing 2016: Joining, Forming & Quality Assurance to Detroit from February 24 to 25, 2016. Over last 11 editions, the conference covered three continents, 1500 global delegates and some 130 hours of OEM-led presentations. During the summit, leading experts from OEMs, Tier 1 suppliers and technology providers would discuss the most critical areas within manufacturing and quality assurance processes to enable delivery of next-generation lightweight manufacturing technologies to the forecourt. Francois...
“We must eliminate aluminium smelter byproducts sustainably to move up the hierarchy of waste management,” Phil Black, Vice President, Aluminium Industry Development, Regain Materials
Regain Materials is a new-age green technology and mineral trading enterprise. It provides aluminum smelters with a proprietary safe, sustainable and secure solution for Spent Pot Lining by eliminating the cyanide and dangerous gas hazards related to aluminium smelting - with no residual material. At a time when industrial ecology is gaining significance worldwide, especially after COP 21 acknowledged the importance of sustainable development in aluminium industry, Regain's endeavour to remain committed to environmental sustainability definitely deserves to be applauded. Phil Black has 22 years of working experience in the aluminium industry in the field of cast house, refractories, potrooms, carbon bake, dry scrubbing, anode delivery, pot delining, smelter construction, smelter technical...
"Accurate material models are critical for any CAE analysis," Steven Sheng, Formability Engineer, General Motors
The 1st GALM summit on Modeling, Simulation and Crash Testing Of Automotive Lightweight Materials will come to Detroit, Michigan on 26-27 January 2016 and bring with it 20+ case studies from OEMs, software developers and material experts. Covering the most important areas from cost efficiency and accuracy in modelling aluminum and composite properties to predicting lightweight material life-cycles and accurate crash simulation, experts at the top of their field will assess the best practices for accurately and efficiently modeling and simulating lightweight materials. Key OEM speakers of the congress include General Motors, Toyota and Honda. Steven Sheng has worked on a wide variety of sheet metal forming projects at various tier suppliers and is now working as a formability engineer at...
"Despite several handicaps…aluminium industry will remain viable and grow in Asia." The Convener and the Vice President, IBAAS Symposium
International Bauxite, Alumina & Aluminium Society (IBAAS) in cooperation with China Aluminium International Engineering Corporation Limited (CHALIECO) & Suzhou Research Institute for Non-ferrous Metals Co. Ltd (SINR) have organized the 4th International IBAAS Symposium (near Shanghai, China) during November 25-27, 2015. The theme of this conference would be “The Development and Future of Aluminium Industry in China - Reality and Dream”. At this crucial juncture when issues like raw material scarcity, market oversupply, higher input cost and low metal prices are crippling the global aluminium industry, the conference is expected to open up an apt forum for discussions on innovative ideas, technical solutions and probable changes in market dynamics. AlCircle spoke to Dr. Ashok Nandi, the...
"We are making all efforts to keep our operations running… resorted to closure only after exhausting all other viable options," Dr Mukesh Kumar, President & Group Head - Technology & Innovation, Vedanta Limited
Vedanta Limited, a Vedanta Group company is one of the world's largest global diversified natural resources company, with operations across zinc-lead-silver, oil & gas, iron ore, copper, aluminium and commercial power. To remain competitive in the recent global melt down condition due to low metal prices and non-availability of raw materials, Vedanta Limited is plunging into cost cutting, capacity cut and technology innovation drives. Dr. Mukesh Kumar is the President & Group Head – Technology & Innovation, Vedanta Limited. He is looking after Technology/ Projects of Vedanta Resources, developing innovative culture in the group with a focus on zero discharge, zero waste and zero harm through implementation of state of the art technologies. He spoke to AlCircle about Vedanta's waste...
"We’re focused … to ensure a level playing field where all global aluminum producers can compete in a fair and open market." Heidi Brock, President & CEO, The Aluminum Association, USA
The Aluminum Association is the leading voice for aluminum industry in Washington, DC that promotes the production and use of aluminum as the sustainable material of choice. The Association provides global standards, industry statistics and expert knowledge to its members and policy makers. Recently, The Aluminum Association published its response on the Joint Presidential Statement by the United States and China which lays out concrete and achievable goals for addressing climate change, and in a time frame that emphasizes the immediacy of these challenges. Heidi Biggs Brock, President & CEO The Aluminum Association shared with AlCircle the Association's perspective on the current aluminium market challenge, US-China trade policy and the US demand situation. Excerpts from the interview:...
"Lotus has been producing cars with aluminum riv-bonded chassis for several decades", GREGORY E. PETERSON, Senior Technical Specialist, LOTUS ENGINEERING
GREGORY E. PETERSON is a Senior Technical Specialist in LOTUS ENGINEERING. Gregg's responsibilities include lightweight structures, transferring emerging technologies into commercial opportunities and program management. He has led numerous lightweighting programs for both automotive and non-automotive applications, including aerospace, commercial vehicles and agriculture. He is one of the expert OEM led speaker faculties in the Global Automotive Lightweight Materials Detroit 2015 to be held on August 18 - 20. An excerpt from his Pre-Conference Interview: What do you see as being the primary barriers to the wider application of lightweight materials in the automotive industry at the moment? The primary barriers that I see are cost, infrastructure and experience with the specific...
"Considering the steady GDP growth in India, I expect the aluminium industry growth rate to go up to 7 to 8% in near future," Mr. Satish Pai, Deputy Managing Director and CEO, Hindalco Industries, India
Mr. Satish Pai is the Deputy Managing Director and CEO of the Aluminum Business, India, Hindalco Industries. Mr. Pai is responsible for setting strategic vision for the Aluminum business of Hindalco in India. He also provides operational leadership in order to build sustainable competitive strengths and enhance shareholder value. AlCircle had the opportunity to speak to him during The 19th International Conference on Non-Ferrous Minerals and Metals in Bhubaneswar. He shared with us his outlook for the aluminium industry in India and Hindalco's strategy to overcome the current low phase in aluminium. An Excerpt from the interview: AlCircle: You are here to promote aluminium, the future metal for India. How would you justify this position for the industry considering the present low phase...
"Currently the use of Aluminium seems to be the most viable option for high volume vehicle production," Mr. John Catterall, GSSLT Leader, Underbody Structure, General Motors
Mr. John Catterall has held a direct position at General Motors for over 15 years. His current responsibilities include leading the Global Subsystem Leadership Teams (GSSLTs) and direct management of the General Motors North America Advanced underbody engineering team. Mr. Catterall holds degrees in Mechanical and Production Automotive Engineering from Bolton Technical College and Leyland Technical College in England, UK. He is one of the expert OEM led speaker faculties in the Global Automotive Lightweight Materials Detroit 2015 to be held on August 18 - 20. An excerpt from his Pre-Conference Interview: What do you see as being the primary barriers to the wider application of lightweight materials in the automotive industry at the moment? So far to date most of the lighter/low density...
"By lowering our own emissions, increasing recycling and helping our customers develop products that enable CO2 savings; we aim to make carbon neutrality a reality." Mr. Alberto Fabrini, Executive Vice President - Head of Bauxite and Alumina, Hydro, Brazil
Brazil is Hydro's main source for bauxite and it employs more than 6,000 people in the country for their business in the aluminium value chain. Hydro extracts bauxite in Paragominas and Trombetas and refines bauxite to alumina at the world's largest alumina refinery, Alunorte. AlCircle had an opportunity to talk to Mr. Alberto Fabrini, Executive Vice President - Head of Bauxite and Alumina, Hydro, Brazil and he shared a few crucial aspects of Hydro’s aluminium business in Brazil. AlCircle: Brazil is Hydro's main source for bauxite with two large mines at Paragominas and Trombetas. Please share with us the current bauxite situation in Brazil. Mr. Alberto Fabrini: The bauxite situation for Hydro in Brazil is quite satisfactory. As a result of our ‘from B to A’ improvement program, we have...
“Our niche focus on premium quality, value-added products places us in a strong position to cater to the projected sustained increase in global demand,” Abdulla J M Kalban (Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer of EGA)
AlCircle had the pleasure of meeting the team of Emirates Global Aluminium (“EGA”) , one of the top aluminium producers in the world during the Aluminium Middle East 2015 Exhibition in Dubai. Abdulla J M Kalban (Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer of EGA) shared with AlCircle a few significant inputs on the business and the Middle East Aluminium Industry. He had been associated with DUBAL since 1985 leading the transformation of the business from a regional primary aluminium smelter into the world’s 5th largest primary producer. He is also the Chairman of the Gulf Aluminium Council and Chairman of the International Aluminium Institute. Excerpts from the interview: AlCircle : Please brief us on the history and objective behind the formation of Emirates Global Aluminium (“EGA”)...
“Outotec is actively involved in providing solutions to the red mud problem, as well as in SPL treatment technologies” Manfred Beilstein, Director of Sales & Process Engineering, Outotec, Germany.
Outotec is a global leader in minerals and metals processing technologies, and has developed many breakthrough technologies over the decades. The company provides complete solutions for anode paste plants, rodding shops, carbon recycling, bath treatment, and casthouses, as well as plant upgrades. Manfred Beilstein has over 30 years’ experience in the Aluminium industry, especially in anode paste plants and Rodding shops and currently serving as the Director of Sales and Process Engineering at Outotec, Germany. AlCircle team had interacted with Mr. Beilstein during Aluminium Middle East 2015 and he shared his input on Outotec’s services to the aluminium industry. Excerpts from the interview: AlCircle: Tell us in brief about the products and services that Outotec offers to the aluminium...
“Aluminum is being chosen over competing materials in the most innovative products available today,” Tom Boney, Chairman, Aluminum Association’s Transportation Group (ATG) and VP & GM, Automotive Value Stream, Novelis North America
The Aluminum Association’s Transportation Group (ATG) is an industry trade group based in Arlington, Virgin that promotes aluminum’s advantages in transportation applications and acts as a central resource for the United States’ automotive industry on aluminum issues. Tom Boney serves as the Chairman of The Aluminum Association’s Transportation Group (ATG) and is currently Vice President and General Manager, Automotive Value Stream, Novelis North America. Tom began his career in the aluminum industry in 1987 and joined Novelis in 2006 as plant manager in Oswego, New York and today he leads all aspects of the company’s North American automotive business, including sales/commercial activities, program development and launch, supply chain and logistics, demand forecasting, service and order...
“One of our main focuses right now is leveraging our sector-leading position in bauxite including in supporting the Middle Eastern aluminium sector.” Amir Mirchi, Regional Vice President, MENA, Rio Tinto
Amir Mirchi is regional head of Rio Tinto for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) in charge of Rio Tinto’s regional business management supporting the company’s strategic initiatives, operations, investor relations and joint venture relationship management. He has several years’ experience in various aspects of business such as joint venture and alliance development, corporate strategy development, business acquisition, business realignment, major project implementation and divestiture as well as R&D management. Mr. Mirchi discussed with AlCircle the current projects and future strategy of Rio Tinto in the Middle East Region and the growth prospect of Middle East in the aluminium sector. Excerpts from the interview: AlCircle: Rio Tinto’s aluminium business is taking a back seat for...
“Aluminium is a green metal and it is going to replace a lot of other materials in many places”, Mr. Niu Heng, Senior Manager, Chalieco
Mr. Niu Heng is the senior manager of China Aluminum International Engineering Co. Ltd (Chalieco). He has almost 26 years of experience in the non-ferrous metals industry and more than 10 years of working relationship with Indian Aluminium Industry. He started with international technology and equipment procurement in China National Non-Ferrous Metals Industry Corp. (CNNC) and joined Chinalco in 2001 in the field of Chinese alumina and aluminium technology. AlCircle had the opportunity to interact with Mr. Heng during the IBAAS Symposium in Vizag and he shared some interesting inputs on the Chinese aluminium industry as well as on the aluminium situation in general. AlCircle: Chalieco has been working closely with the Indian aluminium industry for pretty long. Please share with us your...
“I as well as Vedanta’s Chairman Anil Agarwal share the same long term vision that everyone nurtures for India, that is, to be one of the most powerful economies in the world…” Tom Albanese, CEO, Sesa Sterlite.
Sesa Sterlite, a Vedanta Group company is a global diversified natural resource conglomerates, with operations across aluminium, zinc-lead-silver, oil & gas, iron ore, copper and commercial power. It was a privilege for AlCircle to speak to Mr. Tom Albanese, Chief Executive Officer and a director of Sesa Sterlite on the 1st day of the 3rd International IBAAS Conference at Vizag. Being a Mining Engineer and a Mineral Economist himself and with his valuable experience in the Mining industry with some of the top listed companies worldwide including Alcan, he has a lot to contribute towards the information needs of the industry. We are pleased to share with our readers his current and future agenda for Vedanta, his company’s vision for India and how he hopes to regain investor confidence on...
