A rolling-mill drive can trip even when its encoder passes a bench test. A refinery instrument can report erratic readings with no obvious process upset. Engineers may suspect the devices first, but the installed cables, mating interfaces and routing deserve the same scrutiny. Intermittent faults sometimes disappear the moment an assembly is touched. That uncertainty has an economic cost: investigation consumes maintenance time, and a missed control signal may delay equipment availability. This article concerns sensor, instrumentation, encoder, fieldbus and appropriately rated low-power auxiliary interfaces, typically carrying signals or modest loads—not power feeders. Main motor circuits, plant distribution, rectifier outputs and potline busbars are outside its scope. No connector type...
The most-traded SHFE aluminium contract opened at RMB 23,255per tonne in the night session on Oct 8, hit a high of RMB 23,365 per tonne and a low of RMB 23,195 per tonne, and closed at RMB 23,220 per tonne, down RMB 165 per tonne or 0.71 from the previous close. Futures quickly dipped and weakened, with prices falling below all cyclical moving averages of 5/10/20/40/60. All moving averages turned downward to form resistance, highlighting a bearish pattern. Trading volume during the session was 74,115 lots, with open interest at 269,000 lots, down 819 lots, mainly driven by bulls cutting positions and exiting. On the technical front, the 4-hour MACD death cross continued, with DIFF well below DEA. Green bars expanded significantly, and bearish momentum continued to be released. The LME...
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The March-quarter results of India's largest aluminium producer, Hindalco were mainly inflated by higher other income and lower tax. While it reported a profit after tax of USD 85.88 million, its operating profit was actually down 26% year on year and shows no signs of revival. Going ahead, the company's stock, which has underperformed the benchmark Sensex, is unlikely to do well unless aluminium prices recover or the company gets clearance for its captive coal blocks in Madhya Pradesh, which will help it improve its profitability. Given the pricing pressure in the international markets, the company has given a flattish guidance for the operational performance at Novelis, its international subsidiary, which accounts for nearly two-thirds of the company's top line and half of its bottom...
Ratings agency Moody's Investors Service has downgraded US aluminum giant Alcoa by one notch to junk status due to falling prices and slow growth in China and Europe. Moody's on Wednesday cut Alcoa's senior unsecured debt and corporate family ratings to Ba1 from Baa3. It, however, said the company’s rating outlook remained stable and confirmed its Ba2 preferred stock rating. The decision "reflects our expectations that, despite Alcoa's success in reducing costs and improving productivity, continued headwinds pressuring fundamentals in the aluminum industry and aluminum prices... will continue to push out the time frame" for the company to reduce debt levels, the ratings firm said. Moody's said aluminum demand had risen about 7.0-7.5 percent from 2010 through 2012, but the price of the...
Deutsche Babcock and consortium partner Bilfinger Babcock CZ have secured an order from Dubai Aluminium for the replacement of five new heat recovery steam generators at its Jebel Ali power plant. The turnkey contract covers design, manufacture, supply, installation, testing and commissioning works for five F9BE HRSGs including all associated civil and control systems modification on the existing footprint after decommissioning and disposal of the existing units. Deutsche Babcock, a leading EPC provider for power, desalination, oil and gas, petrochemical and chemical industries, has partnered with associate company Bilfinger Babcock CZ on the project. Work is scheduled to start by late-May 2013 and will be carried out over a period of 34 months. After conversion, the plant steam capacity...
The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) on Wednesday trimmed its growth estimate for the world economy, saying global GDP will expand 3.1% in 2013, instead of 3.4% estimated earlier. It also lowered the US growth outlook for 2013 to 1.9% from 2% and cut its forecast for China’s GDP growth from 8.5% to 7.8%. The organization projects that the euro zone will slip into recession for a second straight year. The IMF anticipates a 7.75% growth for Chinese economy, down from the earlier forecast of 8%, dampening market sentiment. The US dollar index surrendered gains recorded in the previous trading day, but did little to help lift base metals. LME aluminum broke through the 20-day moving average on dip-buying by shorts before finally closing 0.78% higher at USD...
For the second time in two years, Alcoa is examining its smelting capacity and may reduce output from its nearly two dozen facilities, which include a Berkeley County smelter, Alcoa Mt. Holly. The review comes as Alcoa Mt. Holly and Santee Cooper face a June 30 deadline for negotiations over Alcoa’s power rate. The current contract expires in 2015, and the two sides find themselves in a position similar to last year, when Alcoa Mt. Holly dodged corporate smelting cutbacks in the midst of contract negotiations that led to the one-year extension. “As we have stated in the past, securing a competitive power contract is essential for the long-term viability of Mt. Holly operations in our region,” said Erin Pabst, a spokeswoman for Alcoa Ht. Holly. “Because of persistent weakness in global...
Dubai Aluminium achieved another recognition through the certification of the DUBAL Power and Desalination Plant to the ISO 50001 Energy Management System ("EnMS") - being the first plant in the Middle East to achieve the standard. Developed in 2011, ISO 50001 provides guidelines for energy management with the emphasis on establishing, implementing, maintaining and improving existing energy management. Achieving ISO 50001 EnMS certification requires transparency in energy consumption and usage; accurate measurement of energy consumption and detailed reporting of the same; as well as strategic design and practices for the buying of equipment, processes, and acquiring personnel that would impact an organization's energy performance. Several initiatives attest to the high standards met by...
Aluminium Bahrain B.S.C. ( Alba )'s Chief Executive, Tim Murray announced the appointment of Khalid A. Latif as the new Engineering Manager. Mr. A.Latif has been with Alba since 1989 when he joined as trainee technician in Power Maintenance . He was promoted to supervisory level in the same department, and then transferred as superintendent in Carbon Maintenance and later to the Reduction Maintenance department. He was later moved to the Engineering Department as acting manager. Commenting on the new managerial appointment, the company's Chief Executive, Tim Murray said, “Alba is proud to provide a platform for our Bahraini staff to climb the corporate ladder and reach key decision making responsibilities within the organisation. Khalid's promotion provides one such example of how our...
Having supplied equipment to all of the big Gulf smelters except Emirates Aluminium (EMAL) Fives Group has approached the primary aluminium producer – and the head of the Khalifa Industrial Zone Abu Dhabi (Kizad) – with a view to supplying state-of-the-art equipment as part of a multi-Euro partnership that could create up to 100 high-tech jobs for Emirati nationals. Fives Group CEO Frederic Sanchez, in discussions with Khaled Salmeen, CEO of Kizad, has proposed setting up a new operation with Kizad to provide Emal with cutting edge equipment to manufacture anodes as well as technology for reducing smelter emissions. Sanchez claims that Fives' technology is 'much more efficient' than that currently employed by Emal. He wants to train Emirati nationals in high-tech engineering processes...
Aloca Inc. and The Saudi Arabian Mining Co. (Ma'aden) announced the completion of its engineered wetlands wastewater management system in Saudi Arabia. The first-of-its-kind system will reduce water demand by nearly 2 million U.S. gallons per day and is expected to save more than $7 million annually that would otherwise be spent purchasing fresh water. The technology, which was designed and engineered at the Pittsburgh-based Alcoa Technical Center, collects sanitary and industrial wastewater, cleans the water, and disinfects the water without the use of chemicals or the creation of water discharge and odors associated with conventional tank systems. The water will then be reused in the manufacturing process and for irrigation at the Ma’aden-Alcoa aluminum complex at Ras Al Khair. The...
Total world aluminum inventories in April this year fell by 29,000 metric tons on-month to 2.296 million tons, according to figures released Tuesday by the International Aluminum Institute. World stocks in March stood at 2.325 million tons. April stocks were down 120,000 tons compared to the same month of 2012, when inventories were recorded at 2.416 million tons, the IAI said.
Aluminium prices rose yesterday by 0.44% to INR 102.45 per kilogram in futures trade as speculators enlarged positions amid a firming trend overseas. Besides, increased demand at domestic spot markets also influenced prices. At the Multi Commodity Exchange, the May tarde rose by 45 paise, or 0.44%, to INR 102.45 per kilogram in 544 lots. Similarly, the June contract traded higher by 35 paise, or 0.34%, to INR 103.65 per kilogram in 215 lots. Market analysts said the rise in aluminium prices at futures trade was mostly attributed to a firming trend in metal at the London Metal Exchange (LME) and rising demand at spot markets here. Meanwhile, at the LME aluminium gained 0.3% to $1,858.50 per tonne.
Hindalco Industries Ltd, India’s second-biggest aluminum producer, plans to raise about $890 million to refinance debt, said two people familiar with the matter. The company is looking to raise USD 356 million selling bonds and draw USD.534 million through loans to repay high-cost borrowings at unit Utkal Alumina International Ltd, the people said, asking not to be identified as they aren’t allowed to speak to the media. State Bank of India, the nation’s largest lender, may be one of the main bankers, the people said. Refinancing debt will help Hindalco to lower its interest costs at the unit, one of the people said. Group debt rose 37% to USD 10 billion as of 31 March, according to Bloomberg calculations, after capital expenditure to complete projects in India and overseas increased.
US home prices jumped 10.9% in March compared with a year ago, the highest level in seven years. The Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index rose to 76.2 in May. These positive data are a sign of sustained improvement in the US economy, but also raised worries that the US Federal Reserve will scale back QE3 soon. In response, US shares and US dollar index both rose, eating into gains of base metals. LME aluminum rose, but failed to touch the 20-day moving average, with the high-end price at USD 1,861/mt. Finally, LME aluminum closed at USD 1,851/mt, up 0.65%. Latest LME aluminum inventories decreased 225 mt to 5,213,050 mt. A firm US dollar will keep aluminum prices in check. LME aluminum should hover at USD 1,850/mt and move within USD 1,840-1,860/mt on Wednesday. SHFE 1308 aluminum...
Hindalco shares started lower on Wednesday despite the company reporting better margins on a sequential basis. The stock traded 0.8 per cent lower at INR 109.15 as of 09.22 a.m., underperforming the broader Sensex, which traded 0.17 per cent lower at 20,125. Hindalco's net profit dipped 24.68 per cent to USD 85.82 million in the fourth quarter ended March 31. Weak aluminium prices on the London Metal Exchange, rising input costs and smelter disruption put pressure on the bottomline of the Aditya Birla Group's flagship firm, Hindalco Managing Director D Bhattacharya said. Prices of coal, caustic soda and furnace oil were higher by 10-30 per cent compared to the previous year, he added. Net sales were down 8.5 per cent at USD 1245.37 million during fourth quarter compared to USD 1361.64...
Rio Tinto Alcan has written to Japanese buyers asking for a premium of $254 per tonne over the LME cash price for July-September primary aluminium shipments, a source involved in quarterly pricing talks said on Tuesday. That compares with average premiums of $248 to $250 a tonne in the previous quarter, when Rio initially asked for a premium of $255. Japan is Asia's biggest importer of aluminium and the premiums for its imports, agreed in talks with producers each quarter, set the benchmark for the region. Rio's offer was based on expectations for higher product exports from Japan as the economic policies of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe have helped lower the yen, the source said. It is not yet clear if there is an actual rise in demand in Japan for aluminium, the source added. "Demand in...
European aluminum alloy spot prices remained flat this week as both monthly and quarterly consumers keep the pressure on in a well-supplied market. Producers have been pushing in vain to increase spot levels for the key grade of secondary aluminum, standard 226, above Eur1,700/mt ($2,189/mt) and towards Eur1,750/mt as margins are seriously squeezed by high scrap input costs. "It's tough at the moment. The volumes are there but prices are holding at the lows," said an East European producer. "Scrap is well-supported and margins are difficult to achieve." Scrap prices remain high and good quality turnings or tense are difficult to source at competitive prices, even in Germany, the key European market. It is understood to require some 21,000 mt of aluminum alloy (226 and 231) including 6,000...
Emirates Aluminium has been recognised for its commitment to health and safety on the 14th of May with a Gold Award from the Royal Society of Accident Prevention (ROsPA) - the UK’s leading safety organization, under the patronage of Her Majesty The Queen of England. The Award received almost 2,000 entries in 2012, and EMAL came out on top taking home one of the most sought after accolades in the industry. The Gold Award establishes EMAL as a leader in health and safety on the global industrial stage, sharing workplace expertise in health and safety with an international safety community. Commenting on the accolade, Saeed Fadhel Al Mazrooei, President and CEO of EMAL said: “This prestigious international award is welcome recognition of the importance we place on a safe and healthy work...
Parth Aluminium reported net profit of USD 0.011 million in the quarter ended March 2013 as against net loss of USD 0.027 million during the previous quarter ended March 2012. Sales reported to USD 0.144 million in the quarter ended March 2013. There were no sales reported during the previous quarter ended March 2012. For the Audited full year,net profit reported to USD 0.009 million in the year ended March 2013 as against net loss of USD 0.258 million during the previous year ended March 2012. Sales reported to USD 0.19 million in the year ended March 2013. There were no sales reported during the previous year ended March 2012.
