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...
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North America’s primary aluminium production stood at 330,000 tonnes in June 2020, 5.1 per cent higher year-on-year. The output was 314,000 tonnes in June 2019. On a month on month basis, the output dropped by 4.62 per cent from May’s production of 346,000 tonnes. In the first half of 2020, the production stood 4.72 per cent higher than the same period last year. The output amounted to 1.995 million tonnes, from 1.905 million tonnes in the first half of 2019, according to the latest data showed by the International Aluminium Institute (IAI). In 2019, the output stood at 3.809 million tonnes, an increase of 0.93 per cent from 3.774 million tonnes in 2018. Primary aluminium production in South America decreased by 14.12 per cent year-on-year to 73,000 tonnes in June. The output of primary...
Global primary aluminium production stood at 5.274 million tonnes in June, an increase of 0.25% from 5.261 million tonnes in June 2019, according to the latest data showed by the International Aluminium Institute (IAI) on Monday 20 July 2020. On a month-on-month comparison, the output decreased by 3.19% from 5.448 million tonnes. Total primary aluminium production came in at 32.045 million tonnes in the first six months of 2020, an increase of 1.24% from 31.653 million tonnes in the first six months of 2019. In Asia ex-China, aluminium production reduced by 6.39% year-on-year and 1.46% month-on-month to 337,000 tonnes in June. In January-June, output came in at 2.048 million tonnes, a decrease of 6.61% from 2.193 million tonnes in January-June 2019. In the Middle East, primary aluminium...
According to a recent report, the International Committee for Study of Bauxite, Alumina & Aluminium (ICSOBA) has chosen NexTech AR Solutions’ InfernoAR video conferencing platform to host its 38th annual International Conference virtually in November. The deal is worth $40,000 to NexTech. The InternoAR platform can host large-scale events of up to 1 million people with virtual lobbies, live presentations and custom holographic product display. NexTech’s senior vice president of sales Pete Dunn said in a statement, “I'm honoured that the International Committee for Study of Bauxite, Alumina and Aluminium has chosen InfernoAR to host their 38th annual International Conference bringing together their global audience in an exciting new format.” Dunn also said that ICSOBA’s chairman put...
Tokai COBEX GmbH has joined Aluminium Stewardship Initiative as a General Supporter member. It brings the total number of ASI Members to 126. The company, located in Wiesbaden, Germany with two production plants in Racibórz and Nowy Sącz, Poland and a sales office in Beijing, China is a global company producing high quality carbon products such as cathode blocks for aluminium smelting. Tokai COBEX operates worldwide and is one of the leading innovators in its markets. The company’s core competencies – which have stood the test of time for decades – include wide-ranging expertise in raw materials, application know-how, and excellent understanding of manufacturing processes in customers’ industries like the primary aluminium industry. “Tokai COBEX’ products are an essential part of primary...
A00 aluminium ingot price registered a decrease of RMB 70 per tonne from Monday’s price of RMB 14480 per tonne. The price now stood at RMB 14410 per tonne on Tuesday, 21 July 2020 and is expected to move within a range of RMB 14390-14430 per tonne. In Foshan and Wuxi, the price dropped by RMB 110 per tonne and RMB 90 per tonne to stand at RMB 14320 per tonne and 14410 per tonne. Their average prices are expected to range within RMB 14300-14340 per tonne and RMB 14400-14420 per tonne. Aluminium prices in Hangzhou and Chongqing came in at RMB 14430 per tonne and 14280 per tonne, down RMB 90 per tonne each. Aluminium ingot prices in Shenyang, Tianjin, Linyi, and Gongyi decreased to stand at RMB 14360 per tonne, RMB 14400 per tonne, RMB 14470 per tonne, and RMB 14370 per tonne. The Aluminium...
The US dollar fell on Monday against a basket of rivals, as risk appetite improved on a flurry of announcements about a potential COVID-19 vaccine and expectations of more stimulus from Europe and from the US. Three-month LME aluminium closed little changed at US$ 1,662.5 per tonne on Monday in choppy trading. It is likely to move at US$ 1,650-1,690 per tonne today. As of Monday, July 20, LME aluminium cash (bid) price and LME official settlement price rose from US$ 1618 per tonne to US$ 1621 per tonne. 3-months bid price and 3-months offer price stood at US$ 1658 per tonne after growing by US$ 3.5 per tonne from US$ 1654.50 per tonne on the previous day. Dec 21 bid price and Dec 21 offer price came in at US$ 1750.50 per tonne from US$ 1747.50 per tonne on Friday, July 17. The LME...
Alro Slatina, one of the biggest aluminium companies in Romania and Europe is operating new Danieli homogenizing furnaces for the production of quality aluminium flat products at its site. The Romanian plant uses Danieli Olivotto Ferrè's technology to homogenize slabs of aluminium alloys, treating slabs measuring 500x1,650 mm and up to 8 m long, with a total annual capacity of up to 24,000 tons/year. Heating and soaking in two homogenizing furnaces and cooling in a cooling chamber are performed in continuous mode. Furnace equipment and process controls perform in automatic mode, in a controlled atmosphere, matching the stringent AMS 2750E standard for aerospace markets. The subsequent slab cooling treatment delivers perfect quality in terms of mechanical/metallurgical properties....
South32 Ltd’s aluminium output stood at 986,000 tonnes in FY20, unchanged from last year. In June quarter, production was unchanged at 245,000 tonnes. Hillside Aluminium saleable production increased by 3,000 to a record 718,000 tonnes in FY20 as the smelter continued to test its maximum technical capacity, despite the impact to production from increased load-shedding. “Our priority remains keeping our people safe and well, maintaining reliable operations and supporting our communities through the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the health crisis, we delivered a strong operating result, highlighted by annual production records at Brazil Alumina, Hillside Aluminium and Australia Manganese ore,” Graham Kerr, South32 CEO. Mozal Aluminium saleable production increased by 1,000 tonnes to 268,000...
The Economic Development Department of Abu Dhabi is rolling-out a basic industries project focused on making the emirate “self-sufficient in the production of basic and consumer commodities". The project, being undertaken by the department’s Industrial Development Bureau, will look to strengthen investment in four major sectors. They are food production, medical supplies, power generation and important materials such as aluminium and others. Aluminium production is one of the core sectors of the economy that will come under focus as part of the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development's Basic Industries Project. Mohammed Al Shorafa, Chairman of the Department of Economic Development said: “The project is in response to government directives to support key industries and supply the...
According to the latest report from the US Geological Survey, US domestic primary aluminium production was 92,000 tonnes in April 2020. The average daily production stood at 3,060 tonnes, essentially unchanged from that in March 2020 and April 2019, but 30% more than that in April 2018. Total aluminium recovered from scrap was 246,000 tonnes in April 2020, 12% less than the amount in March 2020, 15% less than the amount in April 2019, and 20% less than that in April 2018. Of this, 128,000 tonnes of aluminium was recovered from new scrap and 118,000 tonnes was recovered from old scrap. In April, the average U.S. spot market price of primary aluminium ingot was $0.765 per pound, 12% less than that in March. Inventories of primary aluminium in LME-approved warehouses in the United States...
The US dollar was broadly lower last Friday as the euro climbed to close to a four-month high. LME and SHFE base metals traded lower for the most part on last Friday night. Three-month LME aluminium recovered during the American trading hours after it slipped to a session low of US$1,652 per tonne. It finished lower on the day at US$1,663 per tonne. LME aluminium is likely to trade at US$1,650-1,690 per tonne today. As of Friday July 17, LME aluminium cash (bid) price stands at US$ 1618 per tonne, LME official settlement price stands at US$ 1618 per tonne; 3-months bid price stands at US$ 1654.50 per tonne, 3-months offer price is US$ 1654.50 per tonne; Dec 21 bid price stands at US$ 1747.50 per tonne, and Dec 21 offer price stands at US$ 1747.50per tonne. The LME aluminium opening stock...
After declining for more than the last three months, the social inventories of primary aluminium in China have recorded a rise across eight major consumption areas, including SHFE warrants, to stand at 712,000 tonnes, as of Monday, July 20, found the Shanghai Metals Market. Last week, on July 16, the inventories stood at 708,000 tonnes after declining by 4,000 tonnes from the previous day. This means the inventories over this weekend ending on July 20 have climbed up by 4,000 tonnes. The chart below indicates the current status of primary aluminium inventories across China in more details: Shanghai has seen the highest growth in primary aluminium inventories today of 6,000 tonnes to stand at 112,000 tonnes. In Wuxi and Nanhai, the inventories have increased by 3,000 tonnes and 2,000...
The A00 aluminium ingot price has recorded a hike of RMB 110 per tonne over the weekend ending July 20 to stand at RMB 14,480 per tonne, following four consecutive declines from RMB 15,320 per tonne to RMB 14,370 per tonne during July 13-17, according to the Shanghai Metals Market. The average prices are expected to range between RMB 14,460 per tonne and RMB 14,500 per tonne, with spot contract to be traded at a premium price of RMB 240-280 per tonne. The increase in primary aluminium ingot price today could be attributed to the brisk trading over the past few days owing to the lower trend of the price. With increase in spot price, the premiums have decreased today by RMB 20 per tonne. Linyi and Gongyi have seen the highest growth in primary aluminium price. The price in Linyi is hovering...
Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C (Alba), the world’s largest aluminium smelter ex-China, has launched its first virtual Summer Safety Campaign under the theme ‘Our Safety is in Our Hands’, aiming at encouraging employees and contractors to make the right choices for their Safety and Health as the summer season is in full swing. Alba’s Chief Executive Officer Ali Al Baqali virtually inaugurated with a welcoming address live streamed to the Company’s Management as well as employees and contractors. Al Baqali said: “While COVID-19 Pandemic has changed the way we operate, keeping safe is a constant choice we -- employees and contractors – make in Alba. With the launch of our much-awaited Safety Campaign, we aim to emphasise that Safety don’t just happen, but it is the result of our collective efforts...
Vedanta’s Jharsuguda plant has launched an innovative Monsoon Preparedness Center (MPC) in its aluminium smelters and power plants. The plant is equipped with required gear and apparatus to bolster emergency planning and rescue preparedness. CN Singh, CEO – Vedanta Ltd., Jharsuguda said, “Our Monsoon Preparedness Center is the latest addition to the emergency planning and rescue preparedness measures deployed at site.” As India’s largest aluminium producer, we have put in place robust processes and global best practices in Health, Safety, Environment & Sustainability aimed at making our workspaces safe for employees and partners. While we produce top-class value-added aluminium products to cater to the country’s critical sectors and boost its self-reliance, we are also constantly...
The US dollar started the week lower on July 13, and then fell to its lowest in more than a month against a basket of rivals on Tuesday, July 14. On Wednesday, July 15, the dollar expanded its decline and stood at the lowest level in nearly five weeks. On Thursday, July 16, the currency, however rebounded as investors reacted to a mixed batch of economic data out of China and the US. The US dollar index, which measures the currency against a basket of rivals, gained 0.29 per cent to 96.250, after the four consecutive days of losses. Three-month LME aluminium jumped to a fresh four-month high of US$1,705 per tonne on Monday, while on Tuesday, eased 0.44 per cent to US$1,682.5 per tonne amidst choppy trading. On Wednesday, it closed at US$1,678.5 per tonne, and then further declined on...
National Aluminium Company has decreased its aluminium ingot and aluminium product prices with effect from Saturday, July 18, following a hike on July 10. The company has cut its aluminium ingot price by INR 2,700 per tonne or 1.88 per cent to INR 140,750-144,250 per tonne. After the last hike with effect from July 10, the company sold its aluminium ingot at INR 143,450-146,950 per tonne. Nalco’s aluminium billets price after the latest cut has come in at INR 144,200-146,850 per tonne, also down by INR 2,700 per tonne or 1.84 per cent from INR 146,900-149,550 per tonne as of July 10. The company’s aluminium wire rod price is now at INR 144,250-148,600 per tonne after the cut from INR 146,950–151,300 per tonne. Like any other major Indian aluminium producers, Nalco links its aluminium...
Hindalco Industries Limited has cut its aluminium ingot and product prices with effect Friday, July 17, following three consecutive hikes last week. The aluminium ingot price of the company has been reduced by INR 2,250 per tonne or 1.56 per cent to INR 141,250 per tonne. After the last hike on July 10, Hindalco was selling its aluminium ingot price at INR 143,500 per tonne. With the latest cut, Hindalco’s aluminium wire rod price has come down to INR 152,350 per tonne from INR 154,600 per tonne on July 10, lesser by 1.46 per cent or INR 2,250 per tonne. The company’s aluminium billet price is now hovering at INR 148,350 per tonne, down by 1.49 per cent from INR 150,600 per tonne. Like any other major Indian aluminium producers, Hindalco links its aluminium prices to the three-month...
