COMMENT :
Good time for non-ferrous metals: recent
uptrend in international market followed
by sustainable increase in long-term
demand
Most observers see a good time for non-ferrous metals. The triggers are a recent
uptrend in the international market (mainly on LME) and a sustainable increase
in the demand on a long-term basis. The prices of non-ferrous metals were on
the stable trajectory, with higher inventory and lower demand capping upsides.
However, recent indications of a likely tussle in the Middle East have seen some
panic buying to emerge. Accordingly, the prices of non-ferrous metals are
showing some movements on the LME.
SPECIAL COVERAGE
Benefits & effectiveness of Green House Gas mitigation in energy efficient industries
Although there is no universally accepted, practical definition of SD, the concept has evolved as the integration of economic, social and environmental aims (IPCC, 2000a; Munasinghe, 2002). Companies worldwide adopted Triple Bottom Line (financial, environmental and social responsibility) reporting in the late 1990’s. The Global Reporting Initiative (GRI, n.d.), a multi-stakeholder process, has enabled business organizations to account for and better explain their contributions to sustainable development. Companies are also reporting under Sigma Guidelines (The Sigma Project, 2003a), and AA1000 (The Sigma Project, 2003b) and SA 8000 (SAI, 2001) procedures. Many companies are trying to demonstrate that their operations minimize water use and carbon emissions and produce zero solid waste (ITC, 2006). SD consequences can be observed or monitored through various indicators grouped under the three major categories.
NEWS CORNER
Rodded Anode – Stem Index Marking System
VHE of Iceland has developed and installed an
automatic Stem Index Marking System for Rodded
Anodes.
Largest aluminum plant to be
inaugurated in Bandar Abbas
According to the latest media reports, Hormozal, the
biggest aluminum plant in Iran, will be opened in the
southern city of Bandar Abbas shortly. To which The
Islamic Republic of Iran News Network quoted Iranian
Mines and Mining Industries Development and Renovation
Organization (IMIDRO) as stating that about 400 million
euros and 2 trillion rials (about $200 million) has been
invested in the project.
Chinalco may build aluminium smelter
in Gansu
According to the latest report, Aluminum Corp of
China, the country's top aluminium producer, may build
a greenfield aluminium smelter in Qingyang city, Gansu
province, said a senior executive.
Alcoa, BPA Reach Power Supply Accord
for Intalco Smelter
Alcoa and the Bonneville Power Administration,
according to the recent news have reached an agreement
to provide power for the Intalco aluminum smelter.
FOCUS
Aluminium witness a surge in demand in India
The price of aluminium like any other raw materials had been found fluctuating greatly during the recessionary period, when the demand from the chief aluminium consuming sector like the automobile and the construction sector took a serious beating.
China’s aluminium production likely to soar 15% by 2010
Post recession, the prime focus of the experts were turned to the emerging economies who held it very strongly that these economies would be found recuperating on a higher rate to the major economies.
TECHNOLOGY FOCUS
Nalco plans to increase capacity by three times in six years
The Indian aluminium industry seems to be passing the most promising phase post recession with the global and domestic aluminium prices strengthening gradually. The aluminium consuming sector in the countries are witnessing a consistent growth and are deemed to be much in shape and thereby expected to boost the demand for the metal in the coming years.
Energy conservation in light of environmental and cost saving
In the present era of liberalization and globalization major concern of many industries in India is the threat of competition not only from those in the country but from the multinationals from western countries as well as those from countries like China, Taiwan, Korea, Thailand etc, which are dumping low cost Technologies and Products in the country. The fierce competition the industries have to face due to this is forcing the CEO’s of our industries to resort to all possible ways of cost cutting. Adding to the woes of Indian industries is shortage or non-availability of electricity supply and of poor quality along with unprecedented rise in energy and fuel prices in last few years. Therefore, the industries have to necessarily reduce their energy and fuel consumption drastically through all possible measures and thereby reducing manufacturing costs. This is the only way CEO’s can ensure desirable bottom line.
Industrial and scientific aspects of nonferrous metals production
This industrial categorisation of nonferrous metals encompasses a very wide variety of metals which can be put in different subgroups on the
basis of different criteria such as tonnage production, properties, application, price, nature of occurrence etc. Such criteria seldom have
scientific basis. However, there are common scientific principles which form the basis of methods of ore processing, extraction and refining
of all metals. This article discusses some of these principles and also briefly discusses some developments which are futuristic.
TECHNOLOGY / PROCESS REVIEW
The path to productive welding
Many countries around the globe are beginning to see green shoots of economic recovery. Various industry experts, journals, financial indicators and government planners have indicated many core sectors like Steel, Construction, Oil & Gas, Power, Auto-components, etc will grow between 8-18% in the next 10 years. The construction segment is expected to see investments of approximately $350bn over the next 5-10 years. A rough calculation puts India’s automobile production (passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles, two wheelers and three wheelers) to app 12 million units. Equally encouraging is news from the auto component segment which is expected to grow at approximately 10-12%. One unit growth in these industries has multiplier effect on many downstream industries and adjacent industries.
SEMINAR & EXHIBITIONS
Base Metals face tough time as
actual demand continues to be weak
Post recession, the center of discussion among the
industrial panel still continues to be that, to what extent
the recovery stage has actually helped the entire economy
to recuperate after facing a turbulent period owing to
sharp bent in the demand curves or in other words it
means how strong is the actual demand?
SEMINAR & EXHIBITIONS
Specialist congress Alcastek
to accompany the trade fair
More than 100 exhibitors from 20 countries will
present themselves a few weeks from now at
ALUMINIUM INDIA 2010 in Mumbai. The trade fair
had its premiere in one of the fastest growing aluminium
markets only last year. Now the second edition is to follow
from 25 to 27 February. At the Bombay Exhibition Centre,
aluminium manufacturers, aluminium processors,
technology suppliers as well as end consumers will come
together. ALUMINIUM INDIA will display the entire
value creation chain for this material.
Report on ALUCAST 2009 : Annual Conference and Exhibition
The fifteenth annual Conference and Exhibition,
ALUCAST 2009, organized by Aluminium Casters’ Association
of India (Alucast), was held at Yashada, Pune, from 11-13 Dec
09, at Yashada, Pune.
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