[SMM Aluminum Flash News] GeT Alloys Replaces Heavy Fuel Oil with Tyre-Derived Fuel in Aluminium Recycling

Woodside Energy has signed a gas sale and purchase agreement with Alcoa of Australia to supply 31.1 petajoules (PJ) of natural gas from 2027 to 2030. The gas will be delivered to Alcoa’s alumina refineries in Western Australia, helping secure energy supply for one of the region’s key industrial sectors. Alumina is the primary raw material used in aluminium production, making reliable energy supply critical to maintaining stable output. Woodside said the agreement strengthens its long-term partnership with Alcoa and supports energy security for Western Australian industry. In 2025, Woodside supplied approximately 90.3 PJ of domestic gas, accounting for around 21% of the state’s total gas supply. Market participants expect the deal to improve cost predictability, reduce the risk of production disruptions and support the competitiveness of energy-intensive industries, including the aluminium sector.

Fosbel has highlighted its Ceramic Welding technology as a solution for repairing refractory linings in aluminum furnaces without requiring shutdowns. The process uses an exothermic reaction to fuse new refractory material directly onto existing linings while furnaces remain in operation at temperatures above 1300°F. The technology is suitable for 60%, 70% and 80% alumina refractories commonly used in aluminum furnace applications and is designed to repair worn areas such as metal lines, roofs and sidewalls. Fosbel said the technology can be used for both maintenance and preventive repair programs to extend furnace campaign life and reduce downtime. The company has also introduced Nano-Tec™ ceramic welding powders, thermal cleaning systems and Supertorch equipment to improve repair efficiency, reduce material loss and lower maintenance costs. Hot-repair technologies are increasingly being adopted by aluminum producers seeking higher furnace reliability and operational efficiency.