In 2009, in a joint effort, aluminum companies Alcoa and Novelis decided to centralize their aluminum can collection. In 2011, the two companies accumulated 40 billion cans. However this past August, in order to start its own collection program, Novelis split from Alcoa. Both companies are now at war, trying to out-collect the other. In [...]

In some of our recent posts, we have observed that recycling has become an increasingly globalized industry, with recycled material collected in one country (mostly from US and Western Europe) and then processed in another (often China and India). As a result of this trend, radioactive materials are occasionally slipping into our stocks of recyclable [...]

America has been worried about its weight problem for years, and one of the broader solutions for the US’s growing obesity will affect the aluminum industry. Aluminum can sales in the US are slated to decrease in 2013 as people are opting for water, iced teas and other healthy alternatives to soda. Many anti-soda initiatives [...]

Global aluminium industry is buzzing about China; the most sought-after hub for the light metal. There is a lot of discussion about Chinese aluminium industry and its trends at nearly every industry meet that happened in the year gone by. The general question has been – why China continues to add new capacities despite global [...]

Brazil’s 2011 aluminum can recycling rate was an unprecedented and ‘historic’ 98.3%, again allowing them to retain the title of Aluminum Can Recycling Champion. Since 2001, Brazil has been ranked as the number one country with the highest aluminum can recycling rate, cementing the country as the global leader and forerunner in this domain. According [...]

A World View Most of the US’s raw materials based products and processes were designed in the 1950’s and 1960’s, and were created based on the idea that we have an unlimited supply of primary materials. At that time, the world population was 4 billion, and consumption was relatively low. Now, in 2012, the world [...]

Despite being around for over half a century, aluminium beverage can (ABC) is yet to find favor in the second most populous country on the globe. Not known to be a great packaged beverage consuming country, Indians until a few years back, continue to consume lesser units per head a year – compared to what [...]

Aluminium has been bringing about a significant revolution in the automotive, aerospace, packaging and building and construction industry since the early 20th century. The developed countries have long accepted Aluminium as the ideal material for building, architecture and infrastructure sectors. However, with the slowing down of economies, particularly in Europe, and flattening of demand in [...]

The premier trade event of the UAE’s aluminium industry, the 16th Arab International Aluminium Conference (ARABAL 2012) was held at the Grand Hyatt Doha, Qatar from 20 to 22 November. The conference, taking place under the patronage of Ministry of Energy and Industry, was attended by the entire primary aluminium manufacturer fraternity from the Middle [...]

ALUMINIUM 2012 Trade Fair & Conference came to a successful end at Messe Dusseldorf, Germany on 11 October 2012. The three day fair has been one of the most prestigious and long standing trade shows for the global aluminium industry. The exhibition unites producers, processors, technology suppliers and consumers along the entire value chain of [...]