
AL Circle Analysis: Import rise meets demand growth on aluminium extrusion chessboard
Aluminium’s downstream trade network is getting more fragmented as import dependence, changing end-use demand and trade-policy interventions reshape regional markets. From North America and Europe to Asia-Pacific, the aluminium industry is navigating a market where access to supply, competitive...
US industrial policy needs to be systematic, not just ad hoc – Part 2
Our current approach can win economic skirmishes, but not the geopolitical conflict. – Part 2 Impact #5 of ad hoc industrial policy: Failing to use all required tools Industrial policy is often caricatured as just tariffs and subsidies. Mis-framed debates that evaluate the merits of tariffs in...
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Alcoa reports a rise in end markets
According to Alcoa yearly report their projected aerospace sales growth is a healthy 8 to 9 percent thanks to growing demands in both large commercial aircraft and regional jets. They have even revised their global automotive production growth for 2014 from a previous estimation of 1-4 percent to...

Aluminum Association updates on North American aluminium market
Aluminum net shipments (including exports) by domestic U.S. and Canadian facilities totaled an estimated 2,062 million pounds during August, up 3.9 percent over the August 2013 total of 1,985 million pounds. Shipments of aluminum mill products increased 3.1 percent over the previous year to 1,301...

The Aluminum Association Releases 2014 North America Aluminum Industry Plant Directory
Aluminum Association released the 2014 edition of the North American Aluminum Industry Plant Directory. The Directory is the industry’s only complete resource offering the most up-to-date details on 488 plants (excluding foundries) known to be operating in North America as of August 2014. This is...

Noranda Aluminum Holding (NOR) jumps 9.67% on October 8
Noranda Aluminum Holding (NOR) was among the biggest gainers on the Russell 2000 for October 8 as the stock popped 9.67% to $4.65, representing a gain of $0.41 per share. Some 843,274 shares traded hands on 4,292 trades, with a total float of 68,852,804. The stock opened at $4.25 and traded with an...

Jeep Wrangler's shift to aluminum could see production leave Toledo
The Jeep Wrangler may be a timeless design, but sooner or later, time will run out and Chrysler will have to replace it with a newer model more friendly towards the earth it's designed to traverse. That will, it seems, mean a shift to aluminum construction (whether just for the body or for the...

Constellium reaches agreement to acquire Wise Metals
• $1.4 billion acquisition - $455 million in cash and $945 million in assumption of debt • Plans to increase Wise’s current 450 kt of hot mill capacity to over 700 kt and build 200 kt of dedicated BiW finishing capacity • Up to $750 million investment by Constellium expected by 2022 to support...

National Manufacturing Day highlights importance of recycling to U.S. Economy
The Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI) joins in the nationwide celebration of National Manufacturing Day by highlighting the many positive economic contributions of the recycling industry to the U.S. manufacturing landscape. In 2013 alone, more than 130 million metric tons of metal,...

Next Jeep Wrangler body may be made from aluminium
The next-generation Jeep Wrangler may be built from aluminium rather than steel in a move that would shift its production away from the Toledo plant in the U.S. state of Ohio, the head of parent Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) said on Thursday. Speaking at the Paris auto show, Chief Executive...

Noranda Aluminum drops 6.42% on October 1
Noranda Aluminum Holding (NOR) was one of the Russell 2000's biggest losers for October 1 as the stock slid 6.42% to $4.23, a loss of $0.29 per share. Starting at an opening price of $4.49 a share, the stock traded between $4.20 and $4.58 over the course of the trading day. Volume was 850,916...

2016 Lexus RX SUV Facelift loses weight with aluminium
Not too long ago, we learned that Jeep is applying aluminium on their vehicles to make them lighter, thus improving performance and efficiency. Now, we have received word that the Lexus is planning to do the same for the upcoming RX SUV facelift. The Japanese luxury carmaker will be utilizing...

AFCO announces expansion
Alexandria-based AFCO Industries recently announced it is expanding with a new facility in Olmstead, Ill. The $1.9 million plant will perform aluminum extruding and painting operations and employ 19 people. "As a 68-year-old, 100 percent employee-owned company, we are looking forward to being good...

Aluminium use to grow in US: Ducker Worldwide
By 2025, more than 75% of all new pick-up trucks produced in North America will be aluminum-bodied, according to a survey of vehicle manufacturers conducted by US-based consulting and research firm Ducker Worldwide. The study, which confirms a significant breakthrough for automotive aluminium into...

Next Toyota Camry to use aluminum body panels
Following several other automakers, Toyota is turning to aluminum to make its vehicles lighter. Next year, the 2016 Lexus RX 350 crossover will become the company's first model with an aluminum hood and liftgate built in North America, while in 2018 the popular Toyota Camry sedan will get an...

U.S. Industry Recycling rate remains above 65 percent for third consecutive year
Aluminum beverage cans are once again the most recycled beverage packaging type in the United States with an industry recycling rate of 66.7 percent in 2013, according to new data released by the Aluminum Association, Can Manufacturers Institute (CMI) and Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries...

Aleris to add aluminum automotive body sheet capabilities in North America
Aleris announced today that it will invest $350 million to upgrade capabilities at its aluminum rolling mill in Lewisport, Kentucky. The investment positions Aleris to meet anticipated significant growth in North American automotive demand as the industry pursues broader aluminum use for the...

Rexam hosts a “Cans for Cash” event in Chicago headquarters
Rexam, one of the leading beverage can makers in the world, has initiated a “Cans for Cash” event at its Chicago headquarters. This is their fourth such event held annually proving their commitment towards increasing awareness towards sustainability and the recyclability of aluminium cans. A Rexam...

Century Aluminum announces better products and more jobs
This time last year, Century Aluminum, in Sebree, was facing the possibility of shutting down, Today, the company held an event to celebrate the kickoff of their new "Premium Products Initiative". It's a multi-million dollar project that will not only benefit the smelter, but the community as well....

Canada’s Metalco Inc. to open aluminium extrusion plant in Lordstown, Ohio
The Canadian company, Matalco Inc., is investing more than 100 million dollars towards an aluminium extrusion plant in Lordstown. The plant will be constructed in the Ohio Commerce Center on Tod Avenue. Matalco is one of the largest independent aluminium recyclers in North America and also make...
