PV frame makers maintain stable operations; Aluminium prices to consolidate amid mixed macro signals
PV aluminium extrusion: According to an SMM survey, operating rates at sampled PV frame enterprises remained stable overall this week, with some large frame producers maintaining high operating loads. A large frame enterprise in Anhui reported that October production was basically flat M-o-M, while export orders increased, accounting for around 20 per cent of its total production. Regarding processing fees for PV aluminium frames, most long-term contract orders have seen processing fees fall below RMB 2,000 per tonne, operating essentially near the cash cost line. Downstream at the module end, October module production estimates were revised down by 500-700 MW from the beginning of the month. China's November production is expected to fall by another 1 GW, with the December decline...
China Sept bauxite imports climb 18.7% M-o-M; elevated freight costs hit non-mainstream imports
According to data released by the General Administration of Customs of the People's Republic of China (GACC), China's total bauxite imports reached 18.33 million tonnes in September 2026, up 18.7 per cent month-on-month and 15.4 per cent year-on-year. Over January-September, cumulative bauxite imports totalled 173.9 million tonnes, up 10.3 per cent year-on-year, with overall imported ore supply remaining at elevated levels. According to Mysteel's data, Chinese alumina producers consumed approximately 128.79 million tonnes of imported ore on a cumulative basis from January to September 2026. Actual imported ore consumption significantly lagged total imports over the same period, indicating that the imported bauxite market remains surplus for now. Among China's bauxite imports in September,...
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Gillespie & Powers to build 200,000 Lb. Batch Homogenizing Furnace for Ellwood Aluminum
Gillespie & Powers Inc. is pleased to announce it has entered into an agreement with Ellwood Aluminum for the supply of one 200,000 Lb. Batch Homogenizing Furnace for their Phase-II expansion in Hubbard OH. This equipment will be operational in 2022. Gillespie & Powers Inc. is honoured to have been selected for this project. Gillespie & Powers Inc. supplied a Tilting Melter, Tilting Holder and SOW Drying Oven during their initial plant construction and is excited to be partnering with Ellwood Aluminum in the continued development of their business. This is the fifth substantial project that Gillespie & Powers Inc. has been entrusted with this year. Gillespie & Powers Inc. is a 5th Generation family-owned design, build, supplier of specialized furnaces supporting the metals processing...
TAHA International accepted as member of Aluminium Stewardship Initiative
TAHA is a multi-discipline solutions provider with corporate offices in the Netherlands, offering innovative, environmentally friendly and cost-effective services, equipment and products to the aluminium and steel industries worldwide. TAHA’s environmentally friendly aluminium dross processing solutions recover metal and refine the residuals, without using salt or any other chemicals, turning the residuals into feedstock for a number of in house developed value-added applications. TAHA’s mission is to assist the aluminium industry in changing the way it deals with its dross. A key to achieving this mission is through heightening awareness for cost-effective and zero-waste forward-thinking solutions. TAHA believes that both salt cake and landfill must be eliminated and replaced through...
ClimatePartner GmbH certifies the low carbon footprint of eccomelt356.2
Eccomelt LLC has announced the completion of an independent study that calculates both the corporate and product carbon footprint of eccomelt356.2, conducted by ClimatePartner GmbH, for the full calendar year 2019. The study provides further confirmation of the product’s extremely low carbon footprint. Climate Partner, a multi-national team of climate experts hailing from 20 countries, adheres to the most stringent standards when calculating the carbon footprint of their clients. The measurement is based on the world's most widely used “Greenhouse Gas Protocol Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard” (GHG Protocol Corporate Standard). The standard covers Scope 1 & 2, direct and indirect emissions for both facilities, and the all-inclusive Scope 3 standard that covers all indirect...
REEL International acquires the Aluminium Emission Control business of GE Steam Power in Norway
REEL International on 1st June has acquired GE Steam Power’s Aluminum AQCS (Air Quality Control Systems) Technology portfolio and related business in Norway. The know-how acquired includes the technologies developed under the ownerships of FLAKT, ABB and ALSTOM Environment. The acquired business serves primary aluminium smelters and is a technology leader in Emission Control in the following key Products and Technologies: Potline Gas Treatment Centre (GTC) and Bake Ovens Fume Treatment Centre (FTC), including implementation of specific heat exchangers and compact GTC/FTC design. The transaction includes a technology portfolio including numerous references and long-lasting customer relationships, as well as Intellectual Property composed mostly of Patents, Know-how and Tools for New Units...
FACE calls on the EU and Member States to adopt the proposals of En +/ Rusal Manifesto
FACE welcomes the EN+/RUSAL ‘Green Aluminium Vision’, setting out the Group’s commitments to lead the industry into the low carbon economy by developing a new asset class of ‘Green Aluminium’. The proposal presented by Lord Barker, EN+ Executive Chairman, is calling out for a low carbon ‘green’ aluminium to spur EU’s green Covid-19 recovery package and climate transition strategy, giving global need for sustainable development that must exclude non-market subsidies giving way for high-carbon capacity increase. The EN+ Group ambitious “Green Aluminium Vision” advocates in particular for the smart use of EU trade policy in support of competitiveness and sustainability. Current EU import tariffs on unwrought aluminium are inefficient, confusing and counter-productive; customs codes applied...
Groundbreaking innovation: TOMRA Sorting Recycling enables the production of Low Magnesium Twitch from Zorba
Global leader in sensor-based sorting systems, "TOMRA Sorting Recycling", is renowned for spearheading technological developments and its latest innovation is no exception. TOMRA has further developed X-TRACT units for magnesium removal, a ground-breaking x-ray-based solution which can separate magnesium from aluminum in products such as Zorba and Twitch. With consistently high purity rates of 99% being achieved with in-field testing, the material can be treated and traded within the US as it meets the stringent quality requirements of domestic customers. The US generates an estimated 4 million tons of Zorba annually which typically contains between 2% and 4% magnesium. Historically, scrap metal processors exported the bulk of this material to China, but changes to China’s scrap import...
ALUMINIUM CHINA Prepares for in-depth Discussion on the Future of China’s Recycled Aluminium Industry
Preparations for ALUMINIUM CHINA 2020 are underway. World-leading aluminium producers, such as Novelis, Nikkeikin, CHALCO, Nanshan, and ALNAN, will exhibit with cutting-edge materials and experience in recycling sector. Meanwhile, leading aluminium recyclers Lizhong, Sigma and technology suppliers including Otto Junker, Bobby Bartz, Tomra are invited to share the technology about aluminium recycling. The event is scheduled at Shanghai New International Expo Center from July 8 to 10, 2020. Guests will gather on “Future Aluminium Plant - China Aluminium Recycling Innovation and Development Conference” to discuss the opportunities and challenges facing China’s aluminium recycling industry. Former grade regeneration in aluminium alloy becomes the future focus; primary and secondary aluminium...
Coronavirus, FACE to Italian Government: aluminium must be recognized as strategic for the production system
"Considering the measures that many countries are adopting to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, it is essential to recognize the key role of the entire aluminium value chain, both at European and national level, taking into account its strategic value for many activities in the production system and for sustainability policies" claimed Mario Conserve, Secretary-General of FACE - Federation of Aluminum Consumers in Europe - the association representing the interests of aluminium transformers and users in the EU. Because of the COVID-19 emergency many sectors, such as foundries and companies operating in aluminium surface treatments, have already registered an around 50% production drop in March. Those losses will significantly increase following the closure of many companies decided by the...
Rio Tinto update on COVID-19
Today, as a result of separate actions by the Premier of Quebec and the President of South Africa to contain the spread of COVID-19, Rio Tinto will slow down some of its operations. At Richards Bay Minerals (RBM) in South Africa Rio Tinto will curtail production in compliance with a directive from the Government aimed at containing the spread of COVID-19. As a result, all mining operations at RBM will be halted by midnight on Thursday, 26 March, for 21 days. In line with the President’s directive, Rio Tinto will make arrangements for the furnaces to be put on care and maintenance in order to avoid damage to their continuous operations. At this time, it is too early to speculate on when operations will resume or on 2020 production guidance. Resumption of the construction of the Zulti South...
Future Aluminium Forum 2020: Keynote speaker announced
Vincent Christ, CEO, ELYSIS, has been announced as the Keynote Speaker at this year’s Future Aluminium Forum, which will take place in Québec City on 25 th – 27 th May 2020. This year’s theme is ‘From Pilot to Everyday’ and Mr Christ will discuss the opportunities that ELYSIS brings for the aluminium industry and for Québec, in view of the upcoming start-up of the ELYSIS Research and Development Centre. Originally developed to assist manufacturers and processors in adopting digital technologies and overcoming the challenges associated with implementation, the Future Aluminium Forum has become the annual meeting place to share case studies and discuss how Industry 4.0 can aid and optimise the aluminium manufacturing process through machine learning, robotics, automation and augmented...
CRU brings its global gathering of cable makers and thought-leaders to London for the first time in its history
CRU, leading provider of cable news, analysis and consulting is to hold its 14th CRU Wire & Cable Conference on 8-10 June 2020. Attracting over 200 key executives, the conference is well established as the premier meeting place for the world’s cable makers and the insulated wire and cable supply chain. The event is set to take place in London for the first time in its history, close to CRU’s headquarters and promises to draw on even more market experts from across the wider CRU business to the interactive discussions and networking during the conference. As a hub for transport and trade, the agenda will be packed with presentations from leading global producers and consumers of wire & cable products for the energy, communication, transport and automotive sectors; and representatives from...
European Aluminium Welcomes Three New Members and Awards Safety Solution Winners
During its general assembly in Montreux (Switzerland), industry association European Aluminium introduced three new member companies and stressed the importance of workplace safety by awarding the three winners of its Safety Solutions competition. “Our growing membership sends a strong signal: aluminium companies from different parts of the value chain and across Europe are keen to work together to address issues in key areas such as energy, the circular economy, trade, innovation, and sustainability. Our association represents more than 80% of all smelting, semi-fabrication, and recycling activity in wider Europe, and our strong representation means we can speak with one voice. This is especially important now that we are facing some tough challenges on the trade front,” said Gerd Götz,...
MOU signing of SMM and HKEX: Strengthen collaboration in global data market
SMM and Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) today to establish a long-term collaboration in the commodities business. The MOU signing came after the SMM Metals Seminar, which was held on October 29 during LME Week in London. SMM and HKEX conducted detailed docking, exchanged views on data market cooperation and established a strategic partnership to promote mutual business development in the financial and commodities markets. China accounts for more than half of the global metal consumption and has a growing influence on international prices, with SMM playing a crucial role. The new strategic partnership between HKEX and SMM would allow the leveraging of SMM’s data strength, further uplifting the influence of its prices in the...
Industry leaders convene to focus on trade and productivity across Africa at the CRU Africa Wire, Cable & Tube Conference 2019
As interest in the market potential of Africa grows, the inaugural CRU Africa Wire, Cable & Tube Conference is perfectly timed to address the business opportunities for local producers and manufacturers, seeking to establish new trade partnerships with international stakeholders involved in the African steel, copper and aluminium supply chains. This important new event is co-organised by CRU and The Southern African-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (AHK), and will be held on 11-13 November 2019 in Johannesburg, South Africa. The conference has attracted strong support from key local associations including the Steel Tube Export Association of South Africa (STEASA) and the Association of Electric Cable Manufacturers of South Africa (AECMSA). International supporters include wire and...
Almex to provide aluminium billet and slab casting technology and equipment to Western Extrusions
Almex USA Inc. has announced its selection as the technology and equipment provider for the future casthouse of Western Extrusions Corporation of Carrollton, Texas, USA. Western is one of the leading independent aluminum extruders in North America and its Carrollton facility among the largest in America at a single site. Western Extrusions awarded Almex USA the order for a “Furnace to Finish” project scope for Western’s billet casting center. The supply scope includes two 110,000 lb capacity Ultra-Ultra-Low NOx and energy efficient Regenerative Combustion Melting Furnaces, Almex’s patented LARS® molten metal degassing and purification system, Almex’s MEGA™ DC casting machine, and the complete casting water management system, along with facility design and all other peripheral casting line...
MMTS 2019: A Three-in-One Mega Event to be held at Chennai during November 28-30
For the First Time in India three concurrent events GDC Tech 2019, LWT 2019 and M&T 2019 are being held in the Conference and Exhibition MMTS 2019. GDC Tech will focus on the upcoming technologies in the Aluminium Die Casting industry. LWT will highlight the Light Weighting Technologies to improve environment and fuel economy. M&T will provide a platform to showcase the latest developments in Measurements and Testing for Automotive and related sectors. GDC Tech will feature exciting events such as Project Competition and Best Casting Competition along with a technical Quiz programme. The Exhibition will be spread across 5500 sqm at Chennai Trade Centre with over 100 stalls showcasing latest technologies, new developments in Aluminium Die Casting, Light Weighting and Measuring & Testing....
Ball reports improved second quarter 2019 results
Ball Corporation reported, on a U.S. GAAP basis, second quarter 2019 net earnings attributable to the corporation of $197 million (including the net effect of after-tax charges of $22 million, or 6 cents per diluted share for business consolidation and other non-comparable costs) or 58 cents per diluted share, on sales of $3.0 billion, compared to $119 million net earnings attributable to the corporation, or 34 cents per diluted share (including the net effect of after-tax charges of $88 million, or 24 cents per diluted share for business consolidation and other non-comparable costs), on sales of $3.1 billion in 2018. Results for the first six months of 2019 were net earnings attributable to the corporation of $314 million, or 92 cents per diluted share, on sales of $5.8 billion, compared...
Hydro Extrusion USA Cressona Plant selects Banyard LFi Smart System
Inductotherm Heating & Welding is pleased to announce the successful Factory Acceptance of a new Banyard induction heater to Hydro Extrusion USA. The heater is combined with a Banyard LFi Smart System, and includes of a Zero Friction, Multi Zone Coil Induction Heater for 10” Aluminium Billets, for the new 10” Cressona High Performance Automotive Press. Inductotherm Banyard have worked closely with Hydro Cressona project managers and with Italian specialist partners to contributed to a new full turn-key aluminium press extrusion plant. The plant will be fully commissioned for production in 2020. Inductotherm Banyard will celebrate 50 years continued service to the Aluminium Industry in 2019, we look forward to meeting existing and new customers at Aluminium USA, Nashville, 2019 and present...
