Key highlights from the global aluminium value chain, December 2022

The year 2022 has been highly active for the global aluminium industry, and the sector also experienced some significant developments in the year's final month. Indonesia finally announced the long-awaited ban on bauxite export, which will take effect in June 2023. Exports of other unprocessed minerals, such as copper, are prohibited under Indonesia's current mining law. The European Union has sealed the world’s first carbon tariff agreement, and in its initial stage, it has included aluminium imports among the other commodities.

The President of Indonesia, Joko Widodo, announced on December 20, 2022, that the nation would ban bauxite exports, the primary ore source of aluminium, starting from June 2023 to boost the domestic processing of the material. Indonesia ranks among the world's largest bauxite suppliers, with China as a significant consumer. The bauxite export ban's timing complies with Indonesia's present mining regulations.

To know more: https://www.alcircle.com/news/indonesia-to-impose-ban-on-bauxite-exports-from-june-2023-88493

The rising gas prices and Ukraine-Russia geopolitical crisis pose a threat to Limerick Alumina Refining's job security. After talking with company bosses, Niall Collins, the Limerick TD and Minister of State, has played down fears of job losses at Aughinish Alumina. According to the company's directors and auditors, the Ukraine-Russia geopolitical conflict and its economic impact are threatening the future viability of Rusal-owned West Limerick. Since the rise in gas prices in the year before the Ukraine invasion, the company has suffered a net loss of over €363 million.

To know more: https://www.alcircle.com/news/rising-gas-prices-coupled-with-ukraine-russia-geopolitical-crisis-pose-a-threat-to-limerick-alumina-refining-s-job-security-87302

The professed carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM) will safeguard the European industry from importing less expensive, more polluting goods by impersonating the domestic carbon pricing in the European Union. However, it will start with aluminium imports, among others like iron and steel, cement, fertilisers and electricity, and hydrogen. It was reached the day after the G7 industrialised nations announced that they would establish an "international climate club" to promote a sustainable industry.

To know more: https://www.alcircle.com/news/eu-signs-the-world-s-first-carbon-tariff-agreement-initial-phase-includes-aluminium-imports-88545

The German government's €28 billion ($29.69 billion) support programme for renewable energy, which aims to increase the use of wind and solar power quickly, was announced as having been approved by the European Commission. The policy, which will replace an existing renewables support scheme, will be in effect until 2026 and help Germany meet its target of producing 80 per cent of its renewable energy by 2030.

To know more: https://www.alcircle.com/news/germany-s-28-billion-renewable-energy-scheme-receives-eu-approval-a-step-to-eliminate-ghg-emissions-by-2045-88523

On Thursday, December 1, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik reportedly laid the ground for Vedanta’s mega aluminium park at the Make in Odisha, 2022 Conclave by pressing the button in the presence of the company’s chairman Anil Agarwal. The Vedanta Aluminium Park, once developed, will be one of India’s largest metal parks, spread over 253 acres at Jharsuguda, said, Agarwal. The project is a joint venture between Vedanta Aluminium and the Odisha Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation.

To know more: https://www.alcircle.com/news/odisha-chief-minister-lays-ground-for-vedantas-mega-aluminium-park-in-the-presence-of-anil-agarwal-87293

The leading Norwegian aluminium company committed highly to a sustainable future, Norsk Hydro, reported investment in a new automotive press in Hungary. Earlier in 2022, Hydro announced the investment in Denmark's automotive press network, including the new press. Hydro Extrusions is a world-leading aluminium extrusion business, counting around 100 production sites in 40 countries and employing 21,000 people.

To know more: https://www.alcircle.com/news/norsk-hydro-invests-in-a-new-automotive-press-in-hungary-87442

The Indian Ministry of Railways had placed a requirement for 200 rakes of the Vande Bharat in a bid amounting to INR 26,000 crores. Five eminent companies have shown immense interest in the project: BML, RVNL, BHEL, ALSTOM INDIA and MEDHA. These Vande Bharat train rakes will be all sleeper class, and the job needs to be completed within 24 to 30 months. Nevertheless, each coach would be 2-3 tonnes lighter than the previously operating trains only because of the use of aluminium as raw material.

To know more: https://www.alcircle.com/news/indian-railways-vande-bharat-tender-for-200-aluminum-train-rakes-attracts-five-renowned-firms-87288

Ball Corporation has declared shutting down its aluminium beverage can facility in St Paul, Minnesota and relieving 100 employees of their duty. On November 5, Ball had confined to the State of Minnesota to discuss these sudden layoffs. This will result in the state's final closure of the Rexam Beverage Can Company site. In August, Ball announced stopping production at two of its units in North America and another in Phoenix, Arizona.

To know more: https://www.alcircle.com/news/ball-corporation-announces-closure-of-its-aluminium-beverage-can-unit-at-st-paul-87392

On November 2, 2022, Constellium SE announced that it is leading a new consortium of automakers and suppliers to develop lower carbon, lower cost aluminium extrusion alloys. The £10 million CirConAl (Circular and Constant Aluminium) project, funded by a grant from the UK's Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC), intends to optimize the use of post-consumer scrap in a new generation of high-strength alloys that release less than two tonnes of CO2 each tonne of aluminium produced.

To know more: https://www.alcircle.com/news/constellium-to-head-the-10-million-circonal-initiative-to-create-recycled-aluminium-alloys-with-lower-carbon-content-and-cost-effective-87306

The quota for aluminium packaging recycling has augmented consecutively in the third quarter, as the Q3 data presented by the Environment Agency in November states. The recycling rates are being monitored severely, with reports notifying that they might surpass the annual target. The duration between July to September 2022 witnessed an accumulated 37,815 tonnes of aluminium packaging being separated for recycling purposes. Aluminium scrap extracted via kerbside and on-the-go systems added up to almost 28,003 tonnes, whereas another 9,491 tonnes were retrieved from incinerator bottom ash (IBA), and about 322 tonnes were collected from auxiliary recycling drives.