COMMENT :
Construction, automotive & power drive Indian aluminium players to ramp up capacity
India is slowly but steadily becoming an important player in the world aluminium
sector, especially because of its abundant bauxite reserves of 3.3 billion tonnes.
Out of this, around 83% are of metallurgical grade. World bauxite resources are
estimated to be 55 to 75 billion tonnes, located in South America (33%), Africa
(27%), Asia (17%), Oceania (13%), and other countries (10%). India has bauxite
reserve base of 1.44 billion tonnes and reserves of 0.77 billion tonnes.
SPECIAL COVERAGE
Indian aluminium & its sustainable growth amidst mounting challenges
The world aluminium market is expected to have a surplus of about 500 KT in the year 2008 due to the rapid increase in production activities
and slightly lesser pace of growth in aluminium demand. The world aluminium production is expected to reach 40,400 KT against the expected
demand of 39,900 KT in 2008 thus likely to affect the aluminium prices in the short run. The high energy prices are a major concern and may
provide some support to prices in between or may also result in slight reduction in the anticipated surplus. In the long term, increasing demand
from Asia might benefit aluminium price. Increasing income levels in India, for instance, are inducing higher demand from the automobiles
and construction sectors, thus promising a better future for aluminium in the domestic market… a report on the recent trends of the Indian
aluminium industry.
NEWS CORNER
Rodded Anode – Stem Index Marking System
VHE of Iceland has developed and installed an automatic Stem Index Marking System for Rodded Anodes. The marking system is installed after the rodded anode storage area at the delivery point to the pot rooms and has replaced an earlier VHE / Stimir-supplied marking system used in the Rodding Plant.
Rotary Bath Crusher
VHE of Iceland has developed the Stimir robust rotary crusher. The unit is suitable for pre-crushing of large bath pieces.
Stub Saw and Welding System for Balco - India
VHE of Iceland has installed an automatic stub saw and MIG welding system at Bharat Aluminium Company (BALCO) of Korba, India.
METAL PRICE
Metals price – aluminium sinks to 6-yr low on record stocks, copper firms up
Aluminium fell to its lowest level since October 2002, as concerns over dwindling demand were reinforced by further bad news for the car industry and a rise in inventories to record levels. However, copper rose as physical stocks of the metal posted their first big fall since October. Aluminium for delivery in three months on the LME dropped to a low of $1,314 a tonne, a price last seen more than six years ago.
FOCUS
Chinese domination in the recovery of world aluminium industry undeterred
China dominates the global aluminium industry accounting for one third of both world production and world consumption of primary aluminium. While China is self sufficient in aluminium metal and approaching self sufficiency in alumina, dependence on imported bauxite remains high despite rising output. However, power supply issues and high costs of production could result in declining production in the longer term and the possibility that
China will become a net importer of primary aluminium.
BASE METAL
Base metals: headed towards where?
Metal prices have seen an upswing in the world markets. But opinion is divided on whether this is because of demand revival or factors such
as cutbacks in production and arbitrage opportunities. Recovery in aluminium prices appears more tentative than that in copper. LME base
metals have witnessed a surge in prices since March. What are the factors driving the upswing? Is it supported by fundamentals?
Copper has emerged relatively unscathed and remains our most preferred base metal. A large surplus is likely this year but Chinese strategic
stockpiling may absorb much of it. Aluminium output began to contract from the second half of 2008, as producers opted for production
cutbacks. Production is likely to decline by as much as 5% for 2009. Between 1998 and 2007, world primary aluminium consumption grew
by an average of 5.6% to reach 37.2 MT, again driven by China.
ALUMINIUM SUSTANABILITY
Aluminium’s key role in sustainability
When the aluminium industry launched beverage can recycling over 30 years ago, it was an idea whose time had come. And today, with more environmentally conscious companies out there working for consumers who are demanding more and more products made from recycled materials, aluminium is once again helping to lead the way.
ALUMINIUM RECYCLING
Novelis takes aluminium can recycling to new heights
Aluminium company Novelis Inc. announced that, it recycled an estimated 39 billion aluminium beverage cans in the past year, a new company record. Novelis is the world’s largest producer of flat-rolled aluminium and the world’s leading recycler of used beverage cans. By recycling the used containers back into aluminium sheet for new cans, the company estimates it reduced its need for primary aluminium by more than 530,000 metric tons, saving approximately 73 million MBTUs of energy and avoiding the production of nearly 5 MT of greenhouse gases (GHGs).
Aluminium industry currently trying to increase recycling rate for used aluminium beverage containers
Aluminium is an infinitely recyclable material. The aluminium industry helps make recycling a reality. The aluminium industry has invested millions of dollars in infrastructure development, recycling technology and public education to create a market-driven, efficient and effective recycling system. The industry has proactively supported the establishment of thousands of recycling centres for used aluminium cans, helping to make the
recycling ethic a reality in households all across America.
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