Aluminium Bahrain (Alba) is currently producing aluminium at an annualised rate of around 1.3 million tonnes, with the smelter operating at roughly 80 per cent of its pre-Iran war capacity, according to CEO Ali Al Baqali. Alba had a pre-war capacity of around 1.6 million tonnes per year, but production was disrupted after the outbreak of the war and restrictions around the Strait of Hormuz affected exports. The smelter was also hit by an Iranian attack in late March. The Bahrain-based producer is now operating Lines 4, 5 and 6, together representing annualised aluminium production of approximately 1.3 million tonnes, Al Baqali told Reuters on the sidelines of the Fastmarkets Aluminium Conference in Budapest on September 16. Al Baqali described the damage from the Iranian strike as minor...
For the past two decades, the US aluminium industry has been treading through a volatile path, with a domestic primary aluminium sector deteriorating at a rapid and alarming rate, and the number of operational smelters falling from around thirty to only four. Primary aluminum output was estimated at 660,000 metric tons in 2025, leaving the country heavily reliant on imports. The situation was compounded by the Section 232 tariffs on aluminum products, further blocking the inbound trade. The rebuilding of domestic capacity, therefore, is not only about restarting or constructing smelters. It also depends on the infrastructure and technology needed to transform molten aluminum into usable products, maintain ageing electrolysis assets, process scrap efficiently, and improve metal quality....
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The momentum of the global transition to clean technologies is fast increasing in response to the pressing need for urgent climate action and sustainable lifestyles. This is evident in the commitments to Net Zero and Sustainable Development Goals made by several countries and organizations globally. This shift to a net zero economy will be metal-intensive, with sustainable materials like aluminium playing a crucial role in this transition. Rahul Sharma, CEO at Vedanta Aluminium Ltd. Aluminium’s high strength-to-weight ratio, superb electrical & thermal conductivity, exceptional design flexibility, corrosion resistance and infinite recyclability will find critical applications in sunrise sectors such as high-tech manufacturing, energy and storage solutions, electric vehicles, renewable...
On Monday, December 5, 2022, representatives from Bechtel and Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. (Alba), one of the biggest aluminium smelters in the world, met virtually to discuss many issues of relevance to both parties. Alba granted International Bechtel Co. Ltd. (Bechtel) the contract to carry out the feasibility study for the Line 7 Project at the virtual meeting. “We are delighted of the partnership we have developed with Bechtel throughout the years, which has translated into awarding them Line 7 Project’s Feasibility Study. This proposed project underlines our ambition to grow organically and will further cement our position as one of the largest environment-friendly smelters in the world,” said Alba’s Chairman Shaikh Daij bin Salman bin Daij Al Khalifa. Shaikh Daij bin Salman bin Daij Al...
LME aluminium opened at US$2,477 per tonne last Friday and closed at US$2,556 per tonne, an increase of US$81 per tonne or 3.27 per cent. On December 2, Friday LME aluminium cash bid price and the LME aluminium official settlement price went up US$18 per tonne or 0.74 per cent, closing the week at US$2,448 per tonne and US$2,448.50 per tonne, respectively. The 3-month bid price saw an escalation of US$17.50 per tonne or 0.71 per cent, settling at US$2,477 per tonne, while the 3-month offer price had a price hike of US$18.50 per tonne or 0.75 per cent, resting at US$2,479 per tonne. December 23 bid price and December 23 offer price both gained US$15 per tonne or 0.59 per cent, stopping at US$2,540 per tonne and US$2,545 per tonne. LME aluminium opening stock had to lose 1,225 tonnes or...
Sohar International Bank is committed to driving sustainable growth and supports key national projects that add value to the Sultanate of Oman's economy. Thus, the bank participated in the opening ceremony of Sanvira Carbon FZC LLC (SCL), a large-scale manufacturing project financed by Sohar International Bank and Sohar Islamic. The factory's inauguration, located at Sohar Port and Freezone, was held under the patronage of H.E. Salim bin Nasser bin Said Al Aufi, Minister of Oil and Gas. Among those present at the inauguration was Abdul Wahid Al Murshidi, Chief Islamic Banking Officer, Sohar International. As part of the event, several business leaders, government officials, and media representatives were also present. Ahmed Al Musalmi, the Chief Executive Officer of Sohar International,...
Leo Varadkar, the deputy prime minister of Ireland, was told by Rusal chief executive Evgenii Nikitin that a boycott of his company's aluminium would have "significant systemic effects" on the European manufacturing sector. Rusal is one of the leading aluminium producers in the world and is the owner of the Aughinish Alumina refinery on the Shannon estuary that produces 1.9 million tonnes of alumina per year. The Limerick-based alumina refinery accounts for 30 per cent of the total alumina production in Western Europe, which is exported to smelters to be converted into primary aluminium. The Irish alumina refinery is Europe's largest and most technologically advanced, with 450 employees. In August, Nikitin wrote to Varadkar that while the company had not been subject to any new sanctions,...
According to the government's official accounts, the Scottish Government spent £350 million on unsuccessful deals and endeavours during the most recent fiscal year. Recent Scottish Government Consolidated Accounts reveal that a significant amount of money was squandered on failed projects despite the need to fund them. Its main source of concern stems from its contentious deal with Sanjeev Gupta, who acquired the Lochaber aluminium smelter in 2016. A significant potential expense is associated with the 25-year agreement to guarantee payments for energy generation from the hydro network that feeds the aluminium smelter near Fort William. Ministers have set aside £114 million in their accounts, with a potential cost of £32 million annually. The agreement with Gupta, who is currently the...
Hindalco Industries Limited continued to escalate its aluminium ingot and aluminium products prices for the third day in a row, Friday, December 2. On Thursday, December 1, the company increased its aluminium ingot price by INR 3,500 per tonne to INR 224,000 per tonne, which further got raised by INR 2,750 per tonne or 1.23 per cent to INR 226,750 per tonne on December 2. Hindalco’s aluminium wire rod price was also elevated by INR 3,500 per tonne on December 1 to INR 235,100 per tonne, and further by INR 2,750 per tonne on December 2 to INR 237,850 per tonne. Hindalco’s aluminium billets price stood at INR 240,850 per tonne as of December 2, also up by INR 2,750 per tonne from the previous day. On December 1, the price was at INR 240,850 per tonne after gaining INR 3,500 per tonne from...
The Aluminum Association has released its preliminary estimates in the monthly Aluminum Situation report, stating that aluminium demand in North America (US and Canada) has recorded a 6.3% year-to-date growth through the third quarter of 2022 ended September 30. Growth in the third quarter has continued to reflect robust demand compared to the first and second quarters. Charles Johnson, president & CEO of the Aluminum Association, commented: “We are glad to see steady demand growth for North American aluminum, which is some of the cleanest aluminum in the world. As we strive for a more energy-efficient future, our metal continues to provide innovative solutions and competitive advantages for businesses and consumers.” The Aluminum Association has mentioned explicitly in the report that...
The International Aluminium Institute (IAI) announced on November 28 that MYTILINEOS had successfully enrolled as a member of its organisation. By issuing membership certificates, the IAI, founded in 1972, unites international bauxite, alumina, and aluminium firms from all the key producing locations under one roof. The renowned Indian aluminium maker, a Vedanta Aluminium subsidiary, marked "World Quality Month" throughout its operations with various awareness-raising programmes for its staff, business associates, and community members. For October 2022, Russia and Eastern Europe produced 344,000 tonnes of primary aluminium, an increase of 3.61 per cent month over month. The output decreased by 5.14 per cent or 18,000 tonnes, from 350,000 tonnes in August to 332,000 tonnes in September....
According to the Shanghai Metals Market, China's primary aluminium inventories decreased by 18,000 tonnes week-on-week across eight major consumption areas, including SHFE warrants. Therefore, on Thursday, December 1, the inventories totalled 500,000 tonnes, which in comparison with the last Monday of the previous month, November 28, plummeted by 16,000 tonnes. As of now, the inventories in November dropped by 503,000 tonnes, as recorded in the same period last year and 81,000 tonnes on a month-on-month scale. Along the eight major Chinese provinces, the aluminium ingot inventories kept on declining, excluding only Gongyi. The inventory in Wuxi witnessed plunging aluminium inventories due to curtailed imports as some of the shipment was diverted to South China, where traders received...
On Thursday, December 1, aluminium billet inventories in China increased to 69,000 tonnes, up by 6,000 tonnes from a week ago. The hike was witnessed in all the major consumption areas except Changzhou. Since late October, there had been a sporadic accumulation of aluminium billet inventory; nevertheless, the growth was modest, and the overall inventory was still hanging around 70,000 tonnes, which is significantly less than it was at the same time of the previous two years. The figure below provides further information on the current state of aluminium billet inventories in China: A different level of inventory buildup was seen in all the key markets, with a rise of 4,300 tonnes in Foshan, where downstream consumption was subdued. Since demand in Wuxi, Changzhou, and Huzhou was somewhat...
Rio Tinto has sanctioned laying a second tunnel providing water to its hydroelectric generating station at Kemano, almost 75 kilometres southeast of Kitimat. This new 16km-long tunnel aligned via Mt. Dubose will open a second source of water for Rio Tinto's B.C. Works aluminium smelter in Kitimat. As early as in July, the new tunnel successfully produced its first megawatt of electricity after major construction works were finished in May. The company issued a statement on December 1. The BC Works director of energy and watershed partnerships – Rio Tinto, Andrew Czornohalan specified in a comment: "The completion of a second tunnel to supply water to the Kemano hydropower facility will ensure the long-term, sustainable production of low-carbon aluminium at our smelter in Kitimat." "This...
The eleventh month of 2022 witnessed eventful happenings in the global aluminium industry, which is different in context from the tradition before the end of the year. In October 2022, the world's oldest and largest market for industrial metals exchange floated a discussion paper on the topic, seeking a market opinion on the possibility of prohibiting Russian metal. Still, in November, the LME stated it does not propose at this time to restrict the warranting of new Russian metal nor to impose thresholds or limits to the amount of Russian stock permitted in LME warehouses. On the other side, the world leader in sustainable, low-carbon rolled aluminium solutions, Novelis, broke the ground on a new $50 million recycling centre in South Korea to produce low-carbon sheet ingot. The leading...
LME aluminium opened at US$2,491.5 per tonne on Thursday and closed at US$2,475 per tonne, down US$16 per tonne or 0.64 per cent. On Thursday, December 1, both LME aluminium cash bid price and LME aluminium official settlement price surged by US$44 per tonne or 1.84 per cent and US$43.5 per tonne or 1.82 per cent to settle at US$2,430 per tonne and US$2,430.50 per tonne. 3-month bid price and 3-month offer price hiked by US$41.5 per tonne or 1.71 per cent to peg at US$2,459.50 per tonne and US$2,460.50 per tonne. December 23 bid price and December 23 offer price ascended by US$38 per tonne or 1.52 per cent to halt at US$2,525 per tonne and US$2,530 per tonne. LME aluminium opening stock came in at 499150 tonnes. Live warrants and Cancelled warrants clocked at 249575 tonnes and 249575...
A00 aluminium ingot price has elevated by RMB 40 per tonne, resting at RMB 19,330 per tonne, as the Shanghai Metals Market recorded on Friday, December 2. The average prices are expected to range between RMB 19,310 per tonne and RMB 19,350 per tonne, with spot contracts trading at premium prices of RMB 70 per tonne and RMB 30 per tonne. The provinces in China have witnessed augmenting prices today, with the aluminium price rising the highest in Hangzhou by RMB 80 per tonne, closing at RMB 19,355 per tonne, while the aluminium price in Tianjin has heightened by RMB 60 per tonne to arrive at RMB 19,300 per tonne. The aluminium prices in Foshan, Wuxi and Chongqing have escalated by RMB 50 per tonne to close at RMB 19,350 per tonne, RMB 19,315 per tonne and RMB 19,400 per tonne. Lastly, the...
Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C.’s Chairman of the Board of Directors, Shaikh Daij bin Salman bin Daij Al Khalifa, led the company’s delegation at the 24th edition of the Arab International Aluminium Conference and Exhibition (Arabal). The event, hosted by Egyptalum, began on November 29 and would continue till December 1 at the Nile Ritz-Carlton in Cairo, Egypt. Alba’s delegates included Chief Executive Officer Ali Al Baqali, Chief Operations Officer Dr. Abdulla Habib, Chief Marketing Officer Khalid A. Latif, Director Administration Hamad Al Shaibeh, Sr. Manager Strategic Supply & Planning Mohamed Khalid, Manager Sales MENA Fatema Al Mohri as well as Manager Public Relations Abdulla Seyadee. Alba’s Chairman said about the event, "ARABAL has become a synonym of the strong and collaborative...
LME aluminium opened at US$2,377.50 per tonne on Wednesday and closed at US$2,491 per tonne, an increase of US$109.50 per tonne or 4.6 per cent. On November 30, Wednesday LME aluminium cash bid price gained US$45 per tonne or 1.92 per cent, closing at US$2,386 per tonne and the LME aluminium official settlement price went up US$45.50 per tonne or 1.94 per cent to peg at US$2,387 per tonne. The 3-month bid price saw a rise of US$38 per tonne or 1.6 per cent, settling at US$2,418 per tonne, while the 3-month offer price had a similar price hike of US$37 per tonne or 1.55 per cent, resting at US$2,419 per tonne. December 23 bid price and December 23 offer price both soared by US$37 per tonne or 1.51 per cent, stopping at US$2,487 per tonne and US$2,492 per tonne. LME aluminium opening stock...
At the investor seminar organised by Rio Tinto, the global mining and metal giant will be sharing the status of its long-term plan to strengthen the company, expand in a decarbonising world, and continue to provide shareholders with competitive returns. Executives will also discuss ongoing initiatives to fulfil the ambitious decarbonization goals of halving Scope 1 & 2 emissions by 2030 and achieving net zero emissions by 2050. Among these are six effective programs to reduce emissions that emphasize using renewable energy, process heat, diesel, and the ELYSISTM zero-carbon aluminium smelting technology to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, using superior nature-based solutions. Between 2022 and 2030, investments totalling around $7.5 billion are anticipated, of which about $1.5 billion...
