Europe's aluminium industry is facing mounting pressure from rising carbon costs, shifting trade policies and limited willingness among buyers to pay premiums for low-carbon metal. Yet, despite a series of crises since the Covid pandemic, producers remain committed to maintaining their presence in Europe and investing in decarbonisation, said Paul Voss, Director General of European Aluminium. In an exclusive interview with Fastmarkets at Aluminium Düsseldorf, Voss described the European aluminium industry's condition as bruised but resilient. He highlighted concerns over the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS), the potential inclusion of indirect (Scope 2) emissions under the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and the treatment of aluminium scrap in carbon accounting. Reflecting on...
The London Metal Exchange (LME) aluminium price graph depicted a faltering market picture. Declines over the November 2 close were reported across the pricing, contract, and inventory segments. The LME alumina Platts price remained stable at the session close. The LME aluminium cash bid as well as offer prices dipped by 0.42 per cent. The bid slipped to USD 3,081 per tonne from USD 3,094 per tonne, while the offer eased to USD 3,082 per tonne from USD 3,095 per tonne , down 0.61 per cent day-on-day. Explore: Most comprehensive and forward-looking industry-focused report — Global Bauxite & Alumina Market Forecast to 2036: Supply–Demand, Trade Flows & Price Outlook The LME aluminium three-month bid contracted by 0.64 per cent to USD 3,040 per tonne from USD 3,059.5 per tonne. The offer...
Grow with
AL Circle
Rusal has announced today, on July 24, that it has completed the project of converting its Krasnoyarsk Aluminium Smelter to the EcoSoderberg technology. The recently completed retrofitting project, which required an expenditure of US$ 74 million, involved modifying a total of 1954 reduction cells to use the EcoSoderberg technology. Between 2004 and 2019, Krasnoyarsk Aluminium Smelter allocated over US$ 390 million in total towards the implementation of various modernisation projects. The EcoSoderberg technology was developed by the Engineering and Technology Centre of Rusal. It is recognised as the best available technology in the aluminium production section by Rosstandard. Experts say that the EcoSoderberg process is one of the most efficient and environmentally-friendly production...
Vedanta Limited has increased its aluminium ingot and aluminium product prices with effect from Friday, July 24, following a cut last week on July 17. With the latest hike, the company’s aluminium ingot price is now ranging between INR 141,750 per tonne and INR 154,750 per tonne, up INR 1,750 per tonne or 1.25 per cent from INR 140,000-153,000 per tonne on July 17. Vedanta’s aluminium billet price has come in at INR 149,750 per tonne with effect from today, July 24, higher by also INR 1,750 per tonne or 1.18 per cent from INR 148,000 per tonne. The company, after the increase today, is selling its aluminium wire rod at INR 149,250-156,750 per tonne compared to INR 147,500-155,000 per tonne on July 17. The Indian aluminium producers generally link prices of its products to the three-month...
Qatar Aluminium Manufacturing Company, a 50% joint venture partner in one of the most cost efficient aluminium smelters globally, based in Qatar, announced a net profit of QR 14.6 million for the six months period ended 30 June 2020. The company’s revenue amounted to QR 1,121 million, down by 9% YoY, as the global pandemic impacted major industries across the automotive, transport jets and construction sectors. QAMCO’s average selling prices declined by 15% YoY, and contributed QR 186 million negatively to the net profits. “This was partially offset by an upside in the sales volumes, which contributed QR 71 million to the 1H-20 net profits, as compared to last year.” QAMCO’s share of joint venture’s EBITDA stood at QR 306 million in H1 2020, down by 10% year on year. Mr. Abdulrahman Ahmad...
Three-month LME aluminium hits its highest since March 13 at US$1,709 per tonne earlier in the session, ending up 1.07% to US$1,707.5 per tonne on Thursday. The contract is likely to move at US$1,680-1,720 per tonne today. As of Thursday July 23, LME aluminium cash (bid) price stands at US$ 1661 per tonne, LME official settlement price stands at US$ 1661 per tonne; 3-months bid price stands at US$ 1697.50 per tonne, 3-months offer price is US$ 1697.50 per tonne; Dec 21 bid price stands at US$ 1784.50 per tonne, and Dec 21 offer price stands at US$ 1784.50 per tonne. The LME aluminium opening stock stood at 1640425 tonnes. Live Warrants totalled 1375250 tonnes, and Cancelled Warrants were 265175 tonnes. LME aluminium 3-months Asian Reference Price is hovering at US$ 1690.48 per tonne. SHFE...
Cambodia will gracefully welcome another 140km of the northern railway to connect the Thai border to better facilitate the transportation of goods between the two countries. Both the countries officially floated rail network link in late 2018. On 22 nd July’20, Vasim Sorya, undersecretary of state at the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, said: “Thailand promised to provide the new rail after the launch that year.” “The Thai side will hand over the around 140km rail in August or September. It will strengthen our railways and improve the quality of goods transportation between the two countries,” he said. Sorya added: “After the northern railway is upgraded, it will be able to carry 20 tonnes and increase the speed to up to 70km/h from the current 30km/h.” Connecting Phnom Penh to...
According to Shanghai Metals Market, the social inventories of primary aluminium ingots have extended week-on-week decline on July 23 across eight major consumption areas, including SHFE warrants. Declining by 6,000 tonnes from the previous week, the inventories today have come in at 702,000 tonnes. On last Thursday, July 16, the primary aluminium stocks were at 708,000 tonnes after declining by 4,000 tonnes week-on-week. Meanwhile, on Monday, July 20, the primary aluminium ingot inventories recorded a hike of 4,000 tonnes over the weekend after more than three months to stand at 712,000 tonnes, found SMM. So, compared to Monday, the stocks today have stood down by 10,000 tonnes. The chart below indicates the current status of primary aluminium inventories across China in more details: As...
When the world is united with a string of digitalization, how do we not meet and greet each other even amidst the COVID-19 pandemic? Yes, you guessed right, we mean virtual meeting and conference, and for that reason, AlCircle for the first time presenting an online “Global Aluminium Expo 2020” from October 6-7, 2020. This expo is aimed at bringing all the aluminium industry partners under one umbrella virtually; whereby, technology will drive your physical presence and enable you to reach out to your industry associates to build a stronger network and sustainable business. With the intention of creating an immersive real-live experience, this online exhibition will equip all its attendees, exhibitors & sponsors with a host of digital tools such as video calls, exchange of digital...
Alcoa Intalco Works, an aluminium smelter located in Ferndale, North America, is reportedly conducting its final round of layoffs this week; whereby, 700 employees are going to lose their jobs. The plant has been one of the main industries in Ferndale for over 50 years. “We produce all the primary aluminum needed for wheels and stuff like that,” said Jason Swendt, an employee and one of the lucky few who could save his job at the plant through the rounds of layoffs. In April, Alcoa had announced a curtailment, leaving a bare minimum number of employees to keep the plant in operating shape, hoping that any company wills to purchase it. This smelter is the last one in the west of Mississippi and one of just seven left in America. Most of the aluminium industry has shifted operations from...
Hydro said in its Q2 results report that global primary aluminium consumption in Q2 declined 9 per cent due to the coronavirus pandemic. The world consumption stood at 15.482 million tonnes in Q2 as compared to 17.01 million tonnes in Q2 2019. In January-June, primary aluminium consumption came in at 29.203 million tonne as against 32.237 million tonnes in January-June 2019, according to Hydro’s report. "Global primary aluminium consumption was down 9% compared to the second quarter of 2019, driven by a combination of around 28% decline in world outside China and an increase of 5% in China," Hydro said in its Q2 results report. "The COVID-19 situation continues to cause significant market uncertainty, with global GDP and industrial production falling during the quarter, leading to a...
Rio Tinto announced that it has submitted a formal complaint to the Icelandic Competition Authority (ICA) alleging abuse of market dominance by energy supplier Landsvirkjun to the company’s ISAL aluminium smelter in Iceland. The company is asking the ICA to address anti-competitive conduct by Landsvirkjun through discriminatory pricing and long-duration power contracts. Rio Tinto Aluminium chief executive Alf Barrios said “Landsvirkjun’s abuse of its dominant position in the Icelandic energy market needs to be addressed or Iceland is in danger of losing export industries with major employment like ISAL. ISAL pays significantly more for its energy than other aluminium producers in Iceland, which undermines its competitive position in the market. We cannot continue to produce aluminium in...
A00 aluminium ingot price climbed by RMB 30 per tonne from Wednesday’s price of RMB 14520 per tonne. The price now stood at RMB 14550 per tonne on Thursday, 23 July 2020 and is expected to move within a range of RMB 14530-14570 per tonne. This marks the second consecutive rise in aluminium ingot price. In Foshan and Wuxi, the price inched up by RMB 50 per tonne and RMB 40 per tonne to stand at RMB 14560 per tonne and RMB 14580 per tonne. Their average prices are expected to range within RMB 14490-14530 per tonne and RMB 14550-14570 per tonne. Aluminium prices in Hangzhou and Chongqing came in at RMB 14580 per tonne and 14435 per tonne, up RMB 40 per tonne and RMB 45 per tonne. Aluminium ingot prices in Shenyang, Tianjin, Linyi, and Gongyi rose to stand at RMB 14505 per tonne, RMB 14570...
Aluminerie Alouette's operations in Sept-Îles, Quebec, have been acknowledged by the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative with its Performance Standard Certification. The news came after ASI announced today, July 23, that it successfully certified the Aluminerie Alouette plant in Sept-Îles. The plant has an annual capacity of 600,000 tonnes of primary aluminium. It is the largest smelter in the Americas. The ASI certification scope covers the facility’s aluminium smelting, casthouse, and operational activities. Fiona Solomon, Chief Executive Officer at ASI said, “We congratulate Aluminerie Alouette on its ASI Performance Standard certification. This certification is significant not only due to the company’s annual production capacity, but also because the consortium behind the company...
The US dollar gave up some of its earlier gains recorded on Wednesday, July 22, as investors retreated from the safe-haven asset, following struggles by the US to reach a consensus on further stimulus measures. Three-month LME aluminium fell as much as over 1 per cent last night amid concerns about mounting US-China tensions, ending lower on the day at US$ 1,689.5 per tonne, following a session low of US$ 1,675 per tonne. On Wednesday, July 22, both LME aluminium cash (bid) price and LME official settlement price extended growth for the third consecutive day to stand at US$ 1651 per tonne. 3-months bid price and 3-months offer price stood at US$ 1686 per tonne, up by US$ 3.5 per tonne from US$ 1682.50 per tonne on July 21. Dec 21 bid price and Dec 21 offer price came in at US$ 1774.50 per...
The relentless impact of COVID-19 and the precariousness around Brexit is being censured for the loss of up to 18 jobs at the Fort William-based Lochaber smelter. Liberty British Aluminium became ALVANCE British Aluminium as part of a new structure back in February’20 but in few weeks the company was forced to lay-off around 40 of its workers in response to the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic. ALVANCE British Aluminium comes under the aluminium arm of metals industry tycoon Sanjeev Gupta’s GFG Alliance group of companies. On 22 nd July’20, the company declared it would be reducing its workforce permanently. An ALVANCE British Aluminium spokesman said: ‘The Covid-19 pandemic has compounded an already difficult commercial environment for aluminium. Given the continued impact of the virus...
Hydro has released its second-quarter results of 2020, wherein it has reported a year-on-year increase of 5 per cent in primary aluminium production. From 486,000 tonnes in Q2 2019, Hydro’s primary aluminium output in Q2 2020 surged to 509,000 tonnes. However, on a quarter-on-quarter comparison, the output in Q2 of this year stood down by 4 per cent from 528,000 tonnes. The company’s total primary aluminium production in the first half of 2020 came in at 1.04 million tonnes, 7 per cent higher than 971,000 tonnes during the same period last year. Hydro, as per the report, generated NOK 30,931 million of revenue in Q2 2020, 19 per cent lower than NOK 38,124 million in Q1 2020 and 21 per cent from NOK 39,176 million in Q2 2019. The total revenue of Hydro in the first six months of the year...
Three-month LME aluminium notched its highest since July 13 at US$1,702 per tonne on Tuesday. It ended 2.23% higher at US$1,699.5 per tonne. It is likely to move at US$1,680-1,720 per tonne today. As of Tuesday July 21, LME aluminium cash (bid) price stands at US$ 1646.50 per tonne, LME official settlement price stands at US$ 1646.50 per tonne; 3-months bid price stands at US$ 1682.50 per tonne, 3-months offer price is US$ 1682.50 per tonne; Dec 21 bid price stands at US$ 1768.50 per tonne, and Dec 21 offer price stands at US$ 1768.50 per tonne. The LME aluminium opening stock stood at 1652200 tonnes. Live Warrants totalled 1383850 tonnes, and Cancelled Warrants were 268350 tonnes. LME aluminium 3-months Asian Reference Price is hovering at US$ 1670.38 per tonne. SHFE Aluminium Price...
According to the Shanghai Metals Market, the A00 aluminium ingot price has increased by RMB 110 per tonne to RMB 14,520 per tonne on Wednesday, July 22, following a decline from RMB 14,480 per tonne to RMB 14,410 per tonne on the previous day. Today, the average prices are expected to range between RMB 14,500 per tonne and RMB 14,540 per tonne, with spot contract to be traded at a premium price of RMB 130-170 per tonne, down by RMB 50 per tonne from July 21. Foshan has seen the highest growth of RMB 140 per tonne in A00 aluminium ingot price today to stand at RMB 14,460 per tonne, followed by the hike of RMB 120 per tonne in Tianjin to stand at RMB 14,520 per tonne. Wuxi, Hangzhou, and Chongqing have seen an increase of RMB 110 per tonne to RMB 14,520 per tonne, RMB 14,540 per tonne, and...
The latest data of the International Aluminium Institute shows a slight dip in the primary aluminium production in Africa in the second quarter of 2020. In the first quarter, Africa’s primary aluminium output was 402,000 tonnes, which in the second quarter marginally declined to 401,000 tonnes. When compared to the corresponding period last year, the country’s production found lower by 11,000 tonnes or 2.74 per cent from 412,000 tonnes. The accumulative primary aluminium production in Africa in the first half of 2020 totalled 803,000 tonnes, found IAI. This stood lower by 20,000 tonnes or 2.43 per cent from 823,000 tonnes in H1 2019. Africa’s aluminium production in the last month stood at 129,000 tonnes after declining by 10,000 tonnes from 139,000 tonnes in May. In April, the country...
