Hulamin marks substantial progress in the rapidly expanding EV sector

Hulamin, an aluminium manufacturer with headquarters in Pietermaritzburg and Tesla among its clients, claims to have made significant progress in the rapidly expanding electric vehicle (EV) sector. As per Counterpoint Technology Market Research, 10.2 million Passenger electric cars were globally sold in 2022, with China, the US, and Germany leading the way.

According to the research firm, sales are anticipated to reach over 17 million units in 2023, mainly due to additional subsidies in the US and drop expected in lithium prices. Hulamin's annual report states that the company has been providing sheet material for quiet aluminium applications, which refers to aluminium used to lighten and quieten electric cars.

"The global demand for aluminium products should remain supportive in the 2023 financial year, as low-carbon transition spurs the interest in using aluminium in lithium-ion batteries, the body of electric vehicles and in aluminium cans which are a greener, recyclable alternative to plastic," said chairperson Thabo Leeuw said in the report.

The business has provided this product to a significant North American luxury electric vehicle, among other clients. In some instances, European consumers are paying more for items made of aluminium due to high demand. Leeuw stated demand for cans would rise as consumers move away from plastic and glass packaging.

Hulamin has concentrated on lowering electricity use through energy efficiency initiatives and is contemplating getting power from renewable energy suppliers to combat rolling blackouts. However, Leeuw said that the South African government's Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan, which prioritises manufacturing among other initiatives, have been moving too slowly.

"On the domestic front, we continue to engage the government to further promote the growth of the aluminium industry in South Africa and development opportunities in the high-end automotive sector. This is unfortunate since a thriving manufacturing industry – anchored by those manufacturers who require raw aluminium materials for their fabrication processes – has the potential for further growing the aluminium industry in South Africa whilst concurrently growing the employment," added Leeuw.