Coal-heavy Australian aluminium vs renewables-led New Zealand: How Oceania is balancing decarbonisation
Oceania’s primary aluminium industry is facing a fragmented energy transition. While Australia, the leading aluminium producer of the continent, has abundant renewable resources and a well-established aluminium value chain, its smelters remain significantly more dependent on fossil-fuel-based...
Can the US afford to cut Canada off? 75% aluminium and $100b energy tell the story
The US aluminium industry’s dependence on Canada extends far beyond primary aluminium imports. While Canada supplies around 75 per cent of US imported primary aluminium, covering roughly 60 per cent of the country’s annual aluminium usage, it is also a major supplier of crude oil, natural gas and...
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Primary aluminium weekly recap: Russia unlikely to restart Nord Stream 1 gas line soon escalating Europe’s energy crisis; Aluminium Dunkerque curtails production to battle energy cost
Amidst the geopolitical and the Energy crisis in Europe, Russia has cancelled the start of its gas supply at the Nord Stream 1 after apparently citing an oil leak in the turbine. This will thrust the entire energy-based economy into a completely dark zone, and disputes have already started taking...
European aluminium production cut already exceeds 1 Mt, likely to downsize further in winter
The Ukraine-Russia conflict has caused relentless aluminium production cuts at European smelters this year. In addition, the indefinite suspension of the “North Stream No. 1” gas pipeline in Russia, coupled with the electricity price surge, has worsened the situation further. It is reported that...
Speira decides to cut 50% of production at Rheinwerk aluminium smelter, concerning havoc energy price
The insurmountable energy price has hit another European aluminium company – Speira GmbH. On Wednesday, September 7, Speira, a Germany-based global aluminium company, has announced its decision to reduce 50 per cent of its aluminium production at Rheinwerk smelter in Neuss until further notice....
AAI draws PM’s attention to a recurring coal supply shortage for the energy-intensive aluminium sector
The Aluminium Association of India (AAI) has once again attempted to bring the Prime Minister’s attention to the shortage of coal, seeking his immediate intervention for the resumption of sufficient coal supplies to the domestic non-power sector. In a letter to the PMO office, the association has...
Aluminium Dunkerque retrenches aluminium production for Europe’s rising energy cost
Aluminium Dunkerque, the biggest aluminium smelter in France previously owned by a unit under GFG Alliance, has decided to curtail production by one-fifth of its capacity to battle rising energy prices in Europe, as was reported by an internal source. The new authority, private equity firm American...
PLN agrees to supply energy to PT Bintan Alumina Indonesia until 2050
The Indonesian state-owned corporation PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN), which has a monopoly on electric power distribution in the country, has agreed to supply the energy needs of mining company PT Bintan Alumina Indonesia (BAI) until 2050. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was inked in the...
Yunnan, China emerges as a new victim of hydropower shortage; Aluminium production cut is in mind
After Sichuan, another southwestern Chinese province that emerges as being affected by hydropower shortages is Yunnan, triggering concerns over potential output reduction in the province. According to the latest survey by Shanghai Metals Market, many smelters in Yunnan have expressed concerns over...
Russian gas pipeline remains shut, energy-intensive aluminium industry cuts production
The supply resumption of one of Russia's main gas routes to Europe on 3rd September 2022 was scraped, which sparked fears of winter fuel shortages. It highlighted a dispute between Gazprom and Siemens Energy over repairs to the pipeline. After its short maintenance, the Nord Stream 1 pipeline was...
Primary aluminium weekly recap: LME aluminium price hits 16-month low on weak demand; Alcoa curtails production at Norway's Lista aluminium smelter for soaring energy prices
This week, the primary aluminium industry has been in the news for multiple reasons. To begin with, China, the largest user of primary aluminium raw materials worldwide, expressed concern about the likelihood of a global recession and economic stagnation and warned of the prospect of reduced market...
Dutch aluminium producer Aldel ceases all remaining production
On 2 nd September 2022, the Dutch aluminium producer Aldel announced facility in Farmsum will be placed in “care and maintenance” as of September 1, 2022. The company has stated that this step has been taken due to skyrocketing energy prices and a lack of government support. The Works Council...
Novelis to exclude Russian aluminium from key supply deals to its European facilities in the coming years
One of the largest manufacturers of aluminium in the world, Novelis Inc., stated that it will not take Russian aluminium in any prospective new contracts to supply its European facilities in the coming years. This decision might set the tone for future contract discussions throughout the sector....
Sistem Teknik installs a homogenizing furnace at former Alcoa smelter in Italy for Sider Alloy Italia
Alcoa’s old smelting unit, situated at Portoscuso, Italy, is to be rejuvenated by the efforts of Sider Alloy Italia with a considerable amount of investment. The company’s agreement with Sistem Teknik, a leading maker of industrial furnaces for more than four decades, has resulted in the delivery...
LNG-powered world’s largest aluminium catamaran to use Wärtsilä’s 31 dual-fuel engine technology
Touted as one of the largest aluminium catamaran built by Incat, the new high-speed watercraft fuelled by liquefied natural gas (LNG) will use engines, waterjets, and fuel storage and delivery systems from the Finnish technology company Wärtsilä. On behalf of Buquebus, the vessel is being...
Alcoa curtails production at Norway's Lista aluminium smelter for soaring energy prices
Alcoa has decided to decrease one-third production capacity of the Lista aluminium smelter in Norway because of the aggravating energy prices in Europe and also for the heightened operational costs of the particular site. The Lista smelter houses three potlines with an annual net yield of 94,000...
Soaring energy prices coupled with stagnant economy bear red flag for aluminium industry; China initiates production cut
The high possibility of global recession and economic stagnation has already alarmed countries like China, the world’s largest consumer of primary aluminium raw materials, flagging the risk of downsized markets. China, who has been battling with increased energy costs and heat wave, previously...
SHFE loses US$53/t closing at US$2694/t due to energy crisis in China; LME remains shut for bank holiday
On Monday, August 29, the benchmark aluminium price for SHFE slipped down the graph by US$53 per tonne or 1.93 per cent to stand at US$2,694 per tonne. The most-traded SHFE 2210 aluminium contract opened at RMB 18,675 per tonne last night and rose to RMB 18,755 per tonne before closing at RMB...
Sohar Aluminium inks power service contract with GE Gas for 10 years
Four GT13E2 gas turbines and four generators placed at Sohar Aluminium's facility in the Sultanate of Oman will get repairs, maintenance, and components for ten years thanks to a services agreement inked with GE Gas Power (NYSE: GE). For the duration of the deal, GE Digital will also supply its...
Aughinish Alumina may be affected by rising energy prices
In Ireland, businesses in County Kerry's northern part will have to bear a 50 million euro increase in electricity rates. This winter, 22 large energy firms are expected to absorb the 50 million euro cost of increased electricity prices, including Rusal's Aughinish Alumina refinery in North Kerry....
