Features | Aluminium

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Aluminium

The Aluminium Federation of South Africa

24th September 2021 The Aluminium Federation of South Africa (AFSA) is the voice of and gateway to the South African Aluminium industry - involved in increasing the awareness and use of aluminium in Southern Africa since 1981. The Purpose of AFSA is: →

Rare earth elements discovered

24th September 2021 Last month, mining company Australian Bauxite Limited (ABX) confirmed its discovery of rare earth element (REE) accumulations within its bauxite tenement in northern Tasmania that are enriched in the strategically important REE metals neodymium and praseodymium, along with terbium and dysprosium. →

HybroHeat furnace technology developed

By: Anna Moross 24th September 2021 With the development of the HybroHeat furnace technology, plant supplier SMS group underlines once again its position as world market leader for aluminium extrusion plants. →

An image of the hybroheat furnace technology

HYBROHEAT FURNACE TECHNOLOGY HybroHeat furnace technology combines the advantages of cost-efficient preheating of log material in a gas furnace and precise temperature setting

Industry developed through strategy

By: Anna Moross 24th September 2021 While the Aluminium Federation of South Africa’s (AFSA’s) role in the South African Aluminium Industry Roadmap (SAAIR) has been to promote the roadmap and ensure that policymakers are aware of the envisaged, ambitious deliverables, there have been major challenges and milestones, including... →

MUZI MANZI At the height of the pandemic, the LME's aluminium prices plummeted to a low of $1 425/t in April of 2020, resulting in increased stockpiles

Company highlights advantages of aluminium for industry

By: Anna Moross 24th September 2021 Water-jet cutting company MAXJET GLOBAL highlights why aluminium is becoming one of the main materials used in the aerospace, automotive and signage industry and the steps taken to process aluminium through water-jet cutting. →

An image of the water-jet cutting machinery

WATER-JET CUTTING When using precision water-jet cutting and profiling with aluminium, there are different steps in the process of implementation for different projects

Adili Metal Trading

24th September 2021 Whilst our business may be new, our leaders and management have been in the industry for over 45 years. We’ve seen, been leaders of and experienced the ins and outs of the local and global metallurgical industry. Translated from Swahili, Adili means ethical and just. Morality and order. These... →

World Trade Fair postponed to next year

25th September 2020 Owing to the serious consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic, event organiser Reed Exhibitions has announced the postponement of the Aluminium World Trade Fair to May 18 to 20, 2021. The trade fair was scheduled to take place in Düsseldorf, Germany from October 6 to 8, this year. →

Recycling tech boosted by crystallisation research

25th September 2020 An innovative method for aluminium recycling has been boosted by research showing the microscopic changes that take place when molten alloys cool. University of Birmingham School of Metallurgy and Materials researcher Dr Biao Cai used sophisticated high-speed X-ray imaging to record the... →

Analyser allows for accurate aluminium alloy testing

25th September 2020 Handheld analyser producer SciAps’ X-250 analyser measures magnesium (Mg) and silicon (Si) up to ten times faster than any other X-ray gun, with better sensitivity for highly accurate aluminium (Al) alloy testing, says analysing and non-destructive testing equipment supplier GammaTec SciAps... →

GREAT PERFORMANCE The X-250 delivers high performance to Al alloys, without compromising speed and accuracy on all the other alloys

Press tech allows for high-quality extrusions

25th September 2020 Metallurgical industry plant and integrated systems provider SMS group recently received the final acceptance certificate from aluminum frames supplier Garner Aluminium Extrusions (Garnalex). The certification was received for the complete extrusion line supplied by SMS group and its consortium... →

GREATER ACCESSIBILITY The enclosure design is not only state-of-the-art, but also takes into account all aspects of operational safety while also ensuring better machine accessibility

AFSA

25th September 2020 The Aluminium Federation of South Africa (AFSA) is the voice of and gateway to the South African Aluminium industry - involved in increasing the awareness and use of aluminium in Southern Africa since 1981. The Purpose of AFSA is: →

Gammatec

25th September 2020 Gammatec NDT Supplies specialises in manufacturing, marketing, sales and support for the non-destructive testing (NDT) industry. Part of NTP Radioisotopes, a state-owned company and subsidiary of the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation (NECSA), Gammatec is also an equity shareholder in... →

Extrusion press concept for aluminium sector developed

By: Halima Frost 27th September 2019 As a global service partner for clients, metallurgical industry plant and integrated systems provider, SMS group has developed a concept for extrusion presses offering significant flexibility and efficiency for the steel and aluminium industries. “SMS group service technicians are specifically... →

KEEP ROLLING ROLLING ROLLING A cold rolling production line supplied to an international client by SMS group

Demand growth continues to outweigh production growth

27th September 2019 Last month, macroeconomic researcher Fitch Solutions – a unit of the Fitch Group –reported that the global aluminum market will see a number of deficits over the coming years as solid demand growth, driven by the construction and autos sectors, outpaces production growth. Notably, the global... →

BUILDING SPEED The construction and automotive sectors have seen solid demand growth which has outpaced production growth

Company launches recycled bicycle

27th September 2019 Global food and beverage company Nestle Global’s brand Nespresso has announced the launch of its fully recycled aluminium bicycle the RE:CYCLE – part of its drive to remain at the forefront of a circular economy and demonstrating its commitment to recycling. Aluminium is one of the world's most... →

THINK BIKE For every Vélosophy bike sold a second bike will be donated to a developing country in an effort to aid poverty relief

Company diversifies aluminium offering

By: Erin Steenhoff-Snethlage 28th September 2018 Aluminium composite cladding / material (ACP or ACM) is widely used on building facades internationally, and although very much in its infancy in South Africa, it is slowly gaining traction. It is preferred over painted surfaces due to its colour retention, corrosion resistance and low... →

DESIGN VERSATILITY The aluminium composite material panels allow for versatile facade designs

Manufacturer keeps up with increasingly complex orders

28th September 2018 As manufacturing becomes more specialised, manufacturing companies have to keep up with customers’ changing demands with regards to complexity of manufactured parts as well as functionality and the aesthetic appeal of the product. South African arm of Germany-based metallurgical plant and rolling... →

EXTRUSION The SMS group has expertise in aluminium, copper, copper alloys and steel extrusion

Record-high margins for aluminium sales

By: Erin Steenhoff-Snethlage 28th September 2018 Johannesburg-based precision water-cutting and -profiling company AquaJet Profiles noted record-high aluminium sales profit margins earlier this year, owing to the sanctions placed on Russian suppliers exporting to the US, claims AquaJet Profiles director Preeshan Naidoo. The sanctions were... →

Photo by Reuters
TARIFF SEE-SAW US tariffs have had a positive and negative effect on aluminium profit margins

Aluminium company achieves positive results

29th September 2017 Aluminium supplier and exporter Hulamin delivered a strong manufacturing performance and improved financial results for the half-year ended June 30, despite difficult market conditions and the rand being 14% stronger compared with the corresponding period in 2016, says Hulamin CEO Richard Jacob.... →

STRONG RESULTS
Aluminium supplier and exporter Hulamin’s unaudited interim results for the half-year indicated noteworthy headline earnings a share up 17% to 56c a share

Photo by Bloomberg
STRONG RESULTS Aluminium supplier and exporter Hulamin’s unaudited interim results for the half-year indicated noteworthy headline earnings a share up 17% to 56c a share

Recovery rate growth lies in metals from landfills

By: Tasneem Bulbulia 29th September 2017 With South Africa already boasting a recovery rate of about 72% for used beverage cans, metals packaging industry body MetPac-SA believes that further potential lies in diverting other metal packaging such as aluminium foil, containers and empty tin cans from landfills. “With regards to aluminium... →

CAN-DO ATTITUDE Many households in South Africa already undertake excellent work in recycling components such as beer and soft drink beverage cans

Stalcor

By: Zandile Mavuso 29th September 2017 Established in 1973, metal company Stalcor is the largest stainless steel, aluminium and carbon steel supplier in South Africa. →

Company provides solutions to facilitate progress in industry

29th September 2017 Aluminium has a “brilliant” future, as the light-weight material offers impressive solutions for sustainable mobility, durable packaging or urban construction projects, and the SMS group is perfectly positioned to further growth, avers systems supplier SMS group aluminium business head Michael... →

MICHAEL SCHÄFER The aluminium industry benefits from the fact that the SMS Group knows its material, its products and all its complex production processes

Stalcor

By: Zandile Mavuso 21st October 2016 Established in 1973, Stalcor is one of the top three South African distributors and processors of stainless steel, aluminium and carbon steel products sourced both locally and globally. →

Uncompetitive scrap metal prices causing further decline in industry

By: Simone Liedtke 23rd September 2016 Unless strong action is immediately taken to stem the export of scrap metal and keep it in South Africa at competitive prices, the scrap beneficiating industry will further decline, and directly affect the aluminium sector, says aluminium foundry alloys producer Zimco Aluminium Company (Zimalco)... →

Photo by Bloomberg
ALUMINIUM SMELTING PLANT Scrap and aluminium metals are being processed further into semi-finished products

New technology optimises manufacturing process

By: Simone Liedtke 23rd September 2016 Cape Town-based aluminium-frame structure manufacturer Speed Structures is adapting skill sets to enhance adaptability of temporary structures for a variety of applications, such as military, warehousing and agriculture, as well as the traditional event, exhibition and festival industry. →

Photo by Speed Structures
CLEAR-SPAN MARQUEE An example of a clear-span marquee, with clear spaces between the vertical columns

China leads aluminium production

By: Sebastian Whyle 23rd September 2016 China is currently the biggest producer and consumer of aluminium in the world and has expanded its aluminium industry considerably over the past 11 years, says metals trading company Metal and Tool Trade (MTT) board chairperson Volker Schütte. →

South32 aluminium production unchanged in FY2016

By: Simone Liedtke 23rd September 2016 Mining resources company South32 announced in its full report for the 2016 financial year that South Africa aluminium saleable production was largely unchanged in, as the impact of electricity load-shedding events were lower than expected, particularly in the December 2015 half-year. →

Photo by Bloomberg
ALUMINIUM SMELTING Aluminium being smelted for semi-finished products

SMS group contracted to revamp aluminium plant

By: Zandile Mavuso 16th September 2016 Plant supplier SMS group has been contracted by aluminium processing company Impol Seval to revamp its aluminium hot rolling mill in Serbia. →

SA aluminium body positive about aluminium prospects

By: Dylan Stewart 25th September 2015 Owing to the increased use of aluminium in the automotive and beverage packaging industries, demand for aluminium in South Africa has positive long-term prospects, says Aluminium Federation of South Africa (Afsa) executive director Mark Krieg. →

MANY APPLICATIONS Aluminium is used in the construction sector, the electrical sector, heat exchangers, solar geysers, the food and beverage packaging industry, and the transport industry

Photo by Bloomberg
MANY APPLICATIONS Aluminium is used in the construction sector, the electrical sector, heat exchangers, solar geysers, the food and beverage packaging industry, and the transport industry

Richards Bay casthouse has new owner

By: Dylan Stewart 25th September 2015 Australia-owned bauxite miner and aluminium producer South32 has confirmed the official transfer of ownership of the Bayside casthouse in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal to Isizinda Aluminium in a deal that will support the economic transformation of Richards Bay and the development of South Africa’s... →

Marquee company manufactures structures the size of a soccer field

By: Dylan Stewart 25th September 2015 Cape Town-based aluminium-frame-structure manufacturer Speed Structures is manufacturing a 120-m-long, 40-m-wide marquee with an apex height of 10 m for hire or sale, says company chairperson Richard Downing. →

CRUCIAL MATERIAL Speed Structures relies totally on aluminium, especially for the extrusion components, which support the polyvinyl chloride, or PVC, covering.

First SA company to manufacture sausage U-clips

By: Dylan Stewart 25th September 2015 Durban-based precision aluminium components manufacturer AC Exports will receive a new machine for manufacturing small aluminium sausage clips this month, AC Exports chairperson Jens Reuning tells Engineering News. →

FULL OFFERING AC Exports' product range, including a spool of U-clips on the far righ

Aluminium growth boosts company

By: Mia Breytenbach 26th September 2014 Owing to the continuous expansion of its specialised services in the aluminium industry, local furnace and industrial services company Dickinson Group of Companies has registered a 60% increase in business from this industry in the past 20 years. “We can now offer more products and services that... →

KEY SERVICES PROVIDER DRS Mozambique has been rendering site-wide smelter services to the aluminium industry, which include pot delining and relining

Success for aluminium glass industry

By: Mia Breytenbach 26th September 2014 Manufacturing management software developer Bizmantools has registered a ten-fold increase in business from the aluminium and glass manufacturing industries in the past year, in addition to significant positive response towards its labour productivity management software solution,... →

Photo by Bloomberg
SYSTEM NEUTRAL Productivity enabled a user to optimise aluminium purchases and cutting of aluminium

New cold-rolling mill supplied to Turkey aluminium producer

By: Mia Breytenbach 26th September 2014 Steel and aluminium plant processing technology, equipment and services specialist SMS Siemag supplied a complete cold rolling mill to Turkey-based aluminium company Asas-Alüminyum for its new works at Adapazan-Akyazi, about 150 km to the east of Istanbul. Asas-Alüminyum’s new works, valued at... →

COMPLETE SOLUTION The cold rolling mill comprises a six-high mill stand, three shearing lines and a strip-coating line designed for 50 000 t/y

Aluminium industry awaits policy amendments

By: Mia Breytenbach 26th September 2014 The secondary aluminium industry has remained uncompetitive in the world market of beneficiated aluminium products, despite the directive of the preferential pricing on scrap metal, issued by the Department of Economic Development in September last year, Non-Ferrous Metal Industries Association... →

INDUSTRY DECLINE
Without significant amendments to the preferential policy, the aluminium and scrap beneficiation industry will continue to decline

Photo by Bloomberg
INDUSTRY DECLINE Without significant amendments to the preferential policy, the aluminium and scrap beneficiation industry will continue to decline

Stable energy source key challenge for aluminium industry

By: Mia Breytenbach 26th September 2014 The availability of stable energy sources at competitive prices remains a core challenge for the South African aluminium industry, says EY Africa mining and metals leader Wickus Botha. “As aluminium smelting processes are significantly energy intensive, these smelters and foundries require a... →

INDUSTRY NEED To maintain a sustainable South African aluminium industry, the companies would need to secure electricity supply

Aluminium use to grow in US

By: Mia Breytenbach 26th September 2014 By 2025, more than 75% of all new pickup trucks produced in North America will be aluminum-bodied, according to a survey of vehicle manufacturers conducted by US-based consulting and research firm Ducker Worldwide. The study, which confirms a significant breakthrough for automotive aluminium into... →

Photo by Bloomberg
DEMAND INCREASE Ford, General Motors and Fiat Chrysler will become the biggest users of aluminium sheet in the next decade

Editorial Insight

Urgent solution needed

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Dean Thompson

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DUSTBIN OF HISTORY

South Africa simply cannot afford a repeat of 2021 this year. Further delays in dealing with the country’s big problems of load-shedding, economic and social crime, vaccine hesitancy and, most worryingly, a growth rate that is too low to make a dent into chronic unemployment will set the scene for the type of deadly instability that gripped the country in July last year. Decisive policymaking and diligent implementation are the only ways to confine 2021 to the dustbin of history.

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