AL Circle's weekly wrap
Aluminum Association and AEC appreciate Biden’s move to impose a 10% tariff on Chinese aluminium arriving via Mexico
In addition to Century Aluminum, many US-based aluminium associations have also applauded the President’s decision to impose an additional 10 per cent tariff on aluminium imports in coordination with Mexico.
This strategic move by US President Joe Biden is to check the means of escaping the tariff levied on aluminium imports from China, Iran, Russia, and Belarus. To avoid paying the US tariff, these countries were transshipping their aluminium products through Mexico. Thus, the US administration has implemented an additional 10 per cent tariff on primary aluminium products smelted or cast in China, Iran, Russia, and Belarus and arriving via Mexico.
The Aluminum Association said this move was important to combat the impact of unfairly trade that had been in practice across North America.
Charles Johnson, president & CEO of the Aluminum Association, asserted: “Today’s announcement will help to safeguard North America as one of the best places in the world to make aluminum and aluminum products. Over the last decade, the industry has?invested more than $10 billion?in new and expanded plants in the United States, including nearly $200 million this year alone. North American aluminum firms enjoy several major structural advantages including some of the lowest carbon aluminum production in the world. By working with our fellow USMCA countries on strong trade enforcement, we can help drive continued growth and investment in the region – creating jobs and capturing increased demand expected in the coming years. This plan is an example of how regional cooperation still works. We appreciate the administration’s hard work on this issue and look forward to working with them on a robust implementation plan.”
The Aluminum Extruders Council (AEC) also welcomed Biden’s strategic initiative to rule out China and other nations’ aluminium imports via Mexico. Read the full news here.
Speira teams up with GHI Smart Furnaces to achieve major CO2 reduction in aluminium recycling
An innovative partnership between Speira and GHI Smart Furnaces aims to redefine sustainability standards in the aluminium industry. Together, they aim to achieve an unprecedented reduction of 1.5 million tonnes of CO2 emissions annually. This ambitious initiative represents a pivotal moment in pursuing environmental stewardship within the sector.
The focal point of this partnership is the transformation of Speira’s Rheinwerk plant in Germany, propelled by a substantial €40 million investment. This strategic move enhances operational efficiency and positions the plant as a global leader in green technology innovation.
Speira's unwavering commitment to sustainability is evident across its operations. With eleven recycling and production sites in Germany and Norway, Speira processes approximately 650,000 tonnes of aluminium each year. This extensive network, which includes the world's largest aluminium rolling mill, Alunorf, highlights Speira's capability and ambition to lead in aluminium recycling.
The Rheinwerk project is a cornerstone of Speira's strategy to become Europe's premier aluminium recycler. Over the past two decades, Speira has made substantial investments in recycling capacities, including establishing Europe's most advanced sorting plant for used beverage cans (UBC). The new furnace, designed and manufactured by GHI, is set to be operational by early 2026. This major investment aims to enhance recycling efficiency and reduce environmental impact, reinforcing Speira's leadership in sustainable aluminium practices.
The enduring and fruitful collaboration between Speira and GHI on numerous projects highlights their mutual commitment to a sustainable future. GHI’s state-of-the-art furnace technology aligns with Speira’s objectives of lowering carbon emissions and promoting the circular economy. Read the full news here.
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Next-gen Porsche cars to flaunt Hydro REDUXA low-carbon aluminium
The Norwegian aluminium giant Hydro is recognised globally as one of the leading producers of low-carbon aluminium. In a recent collaboration with Porsche (the German sports car manufacturer), Hydro intensified its partnership to further decarbonise Porsche's sports car supply chain. The agreement, signed in Stuttgart on July 9, introduces a pioneering business model for low-carbon aluminium to enhance sustainability and transparency in the automotive industry.
"With this collaboration, we bring an innovative business model to the market to allow industries to further decarbonise their supply chains. We are very excited to work with a fast moving pioneer like Porsche to help them deliver on their ambitious climate targets. I hope this serves as an inspiration for others to follow suit," said Eivind Kallevik, President and CEO of Hydro.
About the deal
In April 2023, Hydro and Porsche signed a letter of intent to reduce the carbon footprint of Porsche's car models. Building on this foundation, the companies have now entered into a long-term agreement for Hydro to supply top-tier, low-carbon aluminium for Porsche's vehicle production in the coming years.
This agreement includes capacity reservation and product development of low-carbon aluminium, enabling Porsche to increase the use of recycled materials and lower the carbon footprint of aluminium components. These efforts will contribute to achieving a net-carbon-neutral value chain for newly produced vehicles by 2030.
Hydro REDUXA & Hydro CIRCAL
The agreement encompasses Hydro REDUXA primary low-carbon aluminium and Hydro CIRCAL 75R recycled aluminium, which contains at least 75 per cent post-consumer scrap. This aluminium is slated to be used in producing Porsche's next generation of sports cars.
Beyond future low-carbon and recycled aluminium deliveries, the agreement includes technical collaboration on developing new alloys with higher recycled content. Additionally, the two companies will explore integrating Hydro's long-term decarbonisation projects into Porsche's supply chain, such as the emission-free smelting technology currently in development.
"The collaboration with Hydro is an important milestone for Porsche on our path to decarbonisation along the entire value chain. In addition, the partnership contributes to responsible sourcing, because Hydro's aluminium supply chain is transparent," says Barbara Frenkel, Executive Board Member for Procurement at Porsche AG. Read the full news here.
Other major news of the week: