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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Canada suggests the United States be patient about determining whether to reimpose aluminium tariffs. In response to the United States’ allegations that the raw aluminium exports from Canada to the US have surged ever since the tariffs were lifted in May 2019, Canadian Ambassador Kirsten Hillman said there was an increase in the production of unalloyed or raw aluminium as producers were asked to shift their production from value-added products to primary aluminium amid a drop in aluminium alloy demand due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Hillman believes the demand will rebounce as the auto industry and other manufacturing sectors will come back online. According to her, the situation will rectify itself in the coming months. “Let’s take a little time to see how this settles out and make sure...
Rio Tinto announced production results for the second quarter of 2020. Aluminium production stood at 0.8 million tonnes, 2% lower than the second quarter of 2019 (flat on the prior quarter), primarily due to pot relining at Kitimat, the decision to operate the ISAL smelter in Iceland at 85% of its capacity, and the curtailment of the fourth pot line at NZAS on 3 April 2020 due to COVID-19 impacts. “This has been partly offset by the non-managed Becancour smelter which has reached 93% capacity, following its ramp-up after a lock-out in 2019.” Aluminium production stood at 1.56 million tonnes in the first half of 2020, down 2% year-on-year. The company VAP sales also dropped significantly to 40% of primary metal sold in the first half of 2020 (first half 2019: 54%) in line with the market,...
According to the latest update, Vedanta Limited has cut its aluminium ingot and product prices with effect from today, July 17, following three consecutive hikes during July 8-10. The company’s aluminium ingot price is now ranging between INR 140,000-153,000 per tonne, down by INR 2,250 per tonne or 1.58 per cent from INR 142,250-155,250 as of July 10. After the latest price cut, Vedanta is now selling its aluminium billet at INR 148,000 per tonne, also a decrease of INR 2,250 per tonne or 1.50 per cent from INR 150,250 per tonne on July 10. With the latest cut, Vedanta’s aluminium wire rod price is hovering at INR 147,500-155,000 per tonne. The Indian aluminium producers generally link prices of its products to the three-month futures of aluminium on the London Metal Exchange, which from...
A00 aluminium ingot price registered a decrease of RMB 160 per tonne from Thursday’s price of RMB 14530 per tonne. The price now stood at RMB 14370 per tonne on Friday, 17 July 2020 and is expected to move within a range of RMB 14350-14390 per tonne. In Foshan and Wuxi, the price dropped by RMB 170 per tonne and RMB 140 per tonne to stand at RMB 14300 per tonne and 14380 per tonne. Their average prices are expected to range within RMB 14280-14320 per tonne and RMB 14370-14390 per tonne. Aluminium prices in Hangzhou and Chongqing came in at RMB 14410 per tonne and 14240 per tonne, down RMB 130 per tonne and RMB 70 per tonne. Aluminium ingot prices in Shenyang, Tianjin, Linyi, and Gongyi decreased to stand at RMB 14315 per tonne, RMB 14380 per tonne, RMB 14370 per tonne, and RMB 14270 per...
The US dollar rose on Thursday, July 16, while global stocks fell, 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 four consecutive days of losses. Three-month LME aluminium fell for a third straight day on Thursday, shedding 0.6 per cent to US$1,668.5 per tonne. It is likely to move between US$ 1,650-1,690 per tonne today. As of Thursday, July 16, LME aluminium cash (bid) price and LME official settlement price sharply declined by US$ 24 per tonne from US$ 1651 per tonne on July 15 to US$ 1627 per tonne. 3-months bid price and 3-months offer price stood at US$ 1660.50 per tonne, down by US$ 25.5 per tonne from US$ 1686 per tonne on the...
As updated by Shanghai Metals Market, social inventories of primary aluminium across eight consumption areas in China, including SHFE warrants, continued to trend lower, albeit at a slower pace. Inventories stood 708,000 tonnes as of Thursday July 16, down 4,000 tonnes from last Thursday July 9. The chart below shows the current status of the primary aluminium inventories across China in more details: Primary aluminium stocks in Shanghai, in Gongyi and Linyi dropped by 3,000 tonnes, 5,000 tonnes and 1,000 tonnes to stand at 106,000 tonnes, 42,000 tonnes and 6,000 tonnes on Thursday, 16 July 2020. Stocks in Wuxi, Hangzhou and Chongqing remained unchanged at 216,000 tonnes, 100,000 tonnes and 4,000 tonnes. Inventories of aluminium in Nanhai and Tianjin stood at 175,000 tonnes and 59,000...
Alcoa Corporation announced second quarter 2020. The company reported improved productivity and continued operational stability during the COVID-19 pandemic. Alcoa said all of its global operations have maintained production without interruption. Alcoa’s overall third-party aluminium shipment volume increased approximately 9 percent, primarily due to the continued progress of the Aluminerie de Bécancour Inc. (ABI) smelter in Quebec, Canada restart. Third-party alumina shipments rose approximately 2 percent, compared with first quarter 2020 shipment volume. “I am proud of our global team’s resolve in facing challenges created by the pandemic, focusing first on protecting people,” said President and Chief Executive Officer Roy Harvey. “We acted early to implement comprehensive measures to...
The US dollar declined to the lowest level in nearly five weeks. LME aluminium shed 0.24% and SHFE aluminium dropped 1.24%. Three-month LME aluminium recovered from a session low of US$1,673 per tonne, ending last night at US$1,678.5 per tonne. LME aluminium is expected to trade between US$1,660-1,700 per tonne today. As of Wednesday July 15, LME aluminium cash (bid) price stands at US$ 1651per tonne, LME official settlement price stands at US$ 1651 per tonne; 3-months bid price stands at US$ 1686 per tonne, 3-months offer price is US$ 1686 per tonne; Dec 21 bid price stands at US$ 1771.50 per tonne, and Dec 21 offer price stands at US$ 1771.50 per tonne. The LME aluminium opening stock stood at 1663800 tonnes. Live Warrants totalled 1405725 tonnes, and Cancelled Warrants were 258075...
Deputy Prime Minister of New Zealand Winston Peters is determined to continue fighting for the Tiwai Point aluminium smelter. He said in a meeting on Thursday morning, “I began saying this in 2011 and I’m saying it now stronger than ever that this enterprise has got to be saved.” He has been supporting the idea of a Tiwai worker/management buy-out for almost last 10 year. In 2011, he told the Tiwai workers ‘you guys are going to have to shape up and save yourselves, because you are being taken for a ride by the owners,’ upon his visit to the smelter. But the union delegate and Tiwai staff member Cliff Dobbie said there was no chance of a management or worker buyout. He said the concept had not been brought up with staff and wouldn't be economically viable. The meeting is being attended by...
According to the Shanghai Metals Market, the A00 aluminium ingot price has expanded its downfall than the previous day by about RMB 170 per tonne to stand at RMB 14,530 per tonne, as of Thursday, July 16. Yesterday, the price fell by RMB 120 per tonne, and today, it declined by RMB 290 per tonne. The average prices are expected to range between RMB 14,510 per tonne and RMB 14,550 per tonne, with spot contract to be traded at a premium price RMB 230-270 per tonne, up by RMB 250 per tonne, following a restraint last day. The growth in spot aluminium premiums could be attributed to the enthusiastic purchase by downstream consumers to replenish their stocks due to the lowering trend of the primary aluminium price. Today, Chongqing has seen the highest downfall in the aluminium ingot price of...
Despite the lockdown situation, travel restrictions and various government policies in response to the COVID-19 situation, Aluminium producers have to carry out their activities, while following strict health protocols. In response to this unprecedented situation and thanks to our well-rounded worldwide organization, Fives’ Services teams are breaking new ground to continue supporting clients operations. At the beginning of lockdown, our teams first used the digital tools they were familiar with, in order to answer clients’ requests without requiring any physical action. Then, capitalizing on our global presence, Fives’ experts designed dedicated digital solutions to ensure the continuity and quality of services. Constantly in touch, our Front-offices teams located all around the world,...
On a daily basis we are facing the dilemma typical for our kind of business: how can we increase our productivity, stay competitive and at the same time respect our planet and environment. How can we make our business more competitive and at the same time becoming sustainable and environmental friendly? How can we make this work in an aluminium smelter? It was a few years ago that my daughter – at that time only 14 years old – told me extensively that my personal carbon footprint was not something to be proud of. Of course I defended my behaviour, my professional activities and my travels all over the world as a way to contribute in a humble way to a world which was comforting our cherished way of life. In the end, who wants to pay 5.000 € for a battery in a mobile phone? We all want cars...
Just when the Industry 4.0 was creating a buzz in the aluminium industry, inspiring smelters and plants to integrate digitalization in their operations management, the COVID-19, also known as the novel coronavirus, made its emergence on the earth causing a pandemic and slowing down lives and livelihoods. The virus has caused radical shifts in workflows all across the globe as millions are practising social distancing and/or complying with self-quarantine recommendations. But while downsizing many industries, the pandemic’s dramatic appearance is believed to have accelerated numerous trends on the other hand, such as “Industry 4.0”. The term Industry 4.0 is used to describe the extensive use of digitalisation in an industrial environment. It covers the current systems and technologies for...
A00 aluminium ingot price edged lower by RMB 80 per tonne to stand at RMB 14820 per tonne on Wednesday, 15 July 2020, from Tuesday’s price of RMB 14900 per tonne. This marked the second consecutive fall in aluminium ingot price. The price is expected to range at RMB 14800-14840 per tonne. In Foshan and Wuxi, the price fell by RMB 40 per tonne and RMB 75 per tonne to stand at RMB 14760 per tonne and RMB 14830 per tonne. Their average prices are expected to range within RMB 14740-14780 per tonne and RMB 14820-14840 per tonne. Aluminium prices in Hangzhou and Chongqing came in at RMB 14840 per tonne and RMB 14695 per tonne, down RMB 110 per tonne and RMB 65 per tonne. Aluminium ingot prices in Shenyang, Tianjin, Linyi, and Gongyi dropped to stand at RMB 14685 per tonne, RMB 14770 per tonne,...
Covid-19 shows that the world is at great risk of disruption by pandemics, cyberattacks or environmental tipping points. In addition, during this emergency period, we detected a strong increase in cyber attacks, an increase in the risks of operating blocks and data loss for the companies. How to be prepared to face these new challenges? Danieli, one of the major plant makers on steel and nonferrous metal industries, has the pleasure to share with you our security strategies in the matter of the Cyber security in the metal industry. Our approach to cybersecurity, based on the result of our internal “BeSafe” program, is to help our customers to be a step ahead, thanks to our “lightweight” approach to this issue, currently at the top of the risks for a Metal Company. if you want to...
The US dollar fell to its lowest in more than a month against a basket of rivals on Tuesday as stocks on Wall Street gained. Three-month LME aluminium eased 0.44 per cent to US$1,682.5 per tonne on Tuesday in choppy trading. It is likely to move between $1,670-1,710 per tonne today. As of Tuesday, July 14, LME aluminium cash (bid) price and LME official settlement price decreased from US$ 1664.50 per tonne to US$ 1640 per tonne. 3-months bid price and 3-months offer price stood at US$ 1675 per tonne, down by US$ 20.5 per tonne from US$ 1695.50 per tonne on the previous day. Dec 21 bid price and Dec 21 offer price came in at US$ 1757 per tonne compared to US$ 1779 per tonne on Monday, July 13. The LME aluminium opening stock declined from 1674900 tonnes to 1669550 tonnes. Live Warrants...
Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C (Alba), the world’s largest aluminium smelter outside China, has reportedly adopted virtual platforms for employees training and development to set a new standard in response to the norms of social distancing during COVID-19. Alba’s Chief Executive Officer Ali Al Baqali said, “COVID-19 has dramatically changed the global training & education sector, giving a distinctive rise to virtual platforms. As we find our balance in the new norm, Alba has reshaped its training and development programmes so that our people continue to learn and grow, which in turn will help Alba stay ahead of the curve.” Training & Development has always been one of Alba’s top priorities. So, without compromising on that, the company’s Human Resources & Training Department has quickly made a...
The fundraising program during COVID-19 epidemic has remained crucial towards maintaining a community focus that has delivered an integral platform for the workers at Tomago Aluminium. An employee initiative that has been active for more than 30 years, the Tomago Workplace Giving Fund has collected more than $2 million for charities and is not slowing down, despite the impact of COVID-19. The fund's most recent recipients are Soul Café, Carrie's Place, Got Your Back Sista and headspace Newcastle, each receiving $10,500, a quarter-share of a total of $42,000 raised by the company's workforce and matched dollar-for-dollar by management. Katie Burns, the Communications Advisor, said: “Charity representatives had attended two-morning tea presentations a week apart to comply with social...
