federation of aluminium consumers in europe
Aluminium in Europe Newsletter: June 3
FACE Aluminium brings you a roundup of last week’s aluminium news.
Among the latest main news: in Europe, Slovenian Impol is expanding thanks to a new BMW contract, and Politico Europe and FACE are organising a panel discussion on the future of Europe’s industry. In the world, EGA secures financing for its upstream project in Guinea, and Russian scientists unveil a new aluminium composite.
Does Europe Need A New Industrial Strategy?
Next Tuesday June 11, POLITICO Europe and FACE will present a panel discussion on the future of Europe’s industry. Bringing together EU policymakers and industry players, the event will focus on trade and competition topics to understand which challenges and opportunities are laying ahead for European aluminium industry. Learn more here.
Follow us live on June 11 from 5:15 PM CET and find out more on what’s at stake for Europe’s industry, the challenges and opportunities for the five years ahead. Discover the full program here: https://t.co/1Nj2W9Csbi | #IndustrialEurope pic.twitter.com/kHojwdEYyz
— POLITICO.eu Events (@EventsPOLITICO) May 29, 2019
Impol To Supply BMW
Slovenian aluminium products maker Impol signed a €40 million deal with German car manufacturer BMW to become its direct supplier of aluminium rods for the bodyworks of new electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles for an initial period of five years. To meet the demand, Impol will build a new 3,000 square metres production facility in eastern Slovenia.
Future Aluminium Forum Discusses Digital Manufacturing
Over 130 delegates discussed current initiatives to adopt digital technologies across the aluminium value chain. The event offers an opportunity for industry players to explore how the aluminium industry is moving towards digital manufacturing. This year, speakers exchanged views on a data-driven approach to mining, refining and smelting, as well as a special workshop on cyber security.
Great overview from Viktor Buzunov @UC_RUSAL to start the 2nd day at @alu_forum explaining how they’re using digitizations and robot automation to change smelting. #digitalmanufacturing #aluminium #digital pic.twitter.com/DBVTei44nI
— Carlo (@ccristofari) May 23, 2019
EGA Secures Financing For Guinea Alumina Project
Emirates Global Aluminium’s (EGA) Guinea Alumina Corporation secured $750 million loan for Guinea’s largest-ever greenfield mining project financing. The loan enables EGA to develop its bauxite-mining project while benefiting the economy of the West African nation.
Weak Prices And Low Sales Hit EN+ Profits
EN+ – the parent company of Rusal – reported a slump in profits for the first quarter of this year. The company said revenue had dropped by 19 per cent due to weak aluminium prices and US sanctions impact on its sales volumes. With the sanctions now lifted, EN+ expects to increase its sales but warned about a decline in aluminium prices due to the US-China trade dispute.
Higher Volumes Boost Nalco’s Profits
Nalco – India’s largest state-owned aluminium producer – posted a 29 per cent rise in profit for 2019. Nalco’s Chairman TK Chand cited cost advantages and higher volumes as the driver behind the increase and noted that Nalco became the lowest cost producer of bauxite and alumina in the world. Nalco also broke its company records in bauxite, alumina and aluminium production in 2019.
Mexico Imposes Interim Antidumping Duty On Chinese Aluminium Foil
The Mexican government imposed a provisional antidumping duty on imports of Chinese aluminium foil coils. The duties are the results of an antidumping investigation initiated by Mexico in August last year. Chine exports its aluminium foil primarily to India, Thailand and South Korea while Mexico imported around 4 per cent of Chinese aluminium foil exports in 2018.
China To Increase Its Alumina Imports, Encourage Domestic Demand
Following closures of several alumina refineries, China plans to import the aluminium precursor. Meanwhile, domestic demand in China has been slowing down due to the on-going trade disputes. The government is thus determined to stimulate aluminium demand, specifically by developing new products for automotive and aerospace sectors.
Scientists Create New Al-Ni-La Composite
Researchers from the National university of Science and Technology “MISIS” in Russia discovered a simple and efficient way of creating a strong aluminium composite material by doping aluminium with nickel and lanthanum. The new aluminium-based compound provides a strong and yet ultrafine structure. The new material could be used not only in cars, but also to make lighter drones that could be manufactured via 3D printing thanks to the composite’s properties.
Growth In EVs To Drive Automotive Aluminium Demand – Autocar
With more electric vehicles coming to the market, carmakers are looking to make their vehicles lighter to offset heavy batteries needed to provide longer ranges, writes Autocar’s Jesse Crosse. While a care in made in pure aluminium is still some time away, car manufacturers are seeking to add more and more aluminium to their new models. However, the amount of aluminium used in cars will largely depends on further research to make aluminium stronger while keeping it lightweight.
Under the skin: Why #aluminium is a weight watcher's friend https://t.co/BpeqX8ahZ0 pic.twitter.com/aYuJwZHoAb
— FACE aluminium (@face_aluminium) May 28, 2019
EGA Honoured For Its Waste Management Initiatives
Abu Dhabi’s Centre of Waste Management acknowledged Emirates Global Aluminium’s successful efforts to offer a cost-effective waste-recycling model. EGA works together with UAE’s cement manufacturers to reuse spent pot lining as an alternative fuel and raw material. Last year, EGA became a global leader in the re-use of this by-product.
Hydro’s Primary Aluminium Receives ASI Certification
Hydro’s primary aluminium operations in Clervaux (Luxembourg), Høyanger (Norway), Karmøy (Norway), Sunndal (Norway) and Årdal (Norway) received Aluminium Stewardship Initiative’s recognition for responsible and sustainable production. Hydro has now 13 certified production sites from primary metal, smelting/re-melting and casting through to extruding and rolling.
Luoyang Wanji Aluminium Processing Co Joins ASI
The Aluminium Stewardhsip Initiative welcomed its 88th member – China’s Luoyang Wanji Aluminium Processing Co – that joined as a Production and Transformation member. The company – ranking as one of “China’s top 500 enterprises” – produces aluminium for a number of industries, including transportation, packaging and construction.
US Imposes Antidumping Duties On Chinese Aluminium Wire And Cable
The US government imposed new tariffs of up to 63 per cent on some Chinese aluminium wire and cable imports due to alleged price dumping. US customs officers will now collect cash deposits from importers to offset unfair Chinese subsidies. US imports of aluminium wire and cable from China stood at $157 million in 2017.
Trump’s Trade Policy Failing To Save American Aluminium Industry – NYT
Trump’s metals tariffs were meant to revive struggling US steel and aluminium production, but they have instead led to higher consumer prices with minimal effect on jobs and investment, writes NYT’s economic and tax policy reporter Jim Tankersley. In fact, there are fewer aluminium production jobs than a year ago and the US production is still less than 3 per cent of the output of China. Most significantly, American aluminium consumers now pay 22 per cent more for the light metal than their international competitors while there are still no plans to build new primary aluminium smelters due to high energy costs.
"What happened shows the perils of using trade policy to revive struggling industries" – @jimtankersley https://t.co/iElLUjTdZr
— FACE aluminium (@face_aluminium) June 2, 2019
