Prices of Domestic Bauxite in North China Fell Slightly, but to Remain High in the Long Term

Amidst the clarion call for a decisive fourth quarter, the Wanzhou 250,000-ton-per-year aluminum sheet, strip, and foil project is progressing at full speed, having completed over 80% of the first phase of the project and aiming for completion and commissioning by the end of December this year. "Currently, the overall progress of the first phase of the 250,000-ton-per-year aluminum sheet, strip, and foil project exceeds 80%, with over 90% of the civil engineering completed and approximately 50% of the equipment installation finished," said Li Deyou, deputy plant manager of the aluminum sheet, strip, and foil project at Chongqing Gaofeng New Material Technology Co., Ltd. He told reporters that of the 15 furnaces and 12 casting and rolling mills in the casting and rolling workshop, 6 of each have been installed. Electrical installation and commissioning will follow, and the casting and rolling workshop is expected to be operational by the end of November. Equipment installation is also underway in the cold rolling workshop; the mechanical parts of the two cold rolling mills are 50% complete, and the cold rolling workshop is expected to complete joint commissioning by early December. The entire first phase of the project is expected to be completed and operational by the end of December. It is understood that the 250,000-ton-per-year aluminum sheet, strip, and foil project is one of three sub-projects of the Bosai Group's major industrial project in Wanzhou—a comprehensive aluminum utilization project with a total investment of 5.2 billion yuan—and is being implemented by Chongqing Gaofeng New Material Technology Co., Ltd. The project covers an area of ​​230 mu and is implemented in two phases: the first phase has a capacity of 150,000 tons and the second phase has a capacity of 100,000 tons. The main construction includes aluminum smelting, casting and rolling, cold rolling, heat treatment and finishing production lines, as well as supporting public facilities and environmental protection facilities.

AISDI (Tianjin) Automotive Parts Co., Ltd. is a specialized manufacturer focusing on the R&D and production of aluminum alloy automotive parts. Its products are widely applicable to new energy vehicles, construction machinery, and other fields, and it has already entered the global mainstream automotive supply chain system, providing long-term supporting services to many leading domestic automakers such as BYD and Great Wall Motors. The aluminum-magnesium alloy lightweight parts production base project signed this time covers a total area of ​​70 mu (approximately 4.7 hectares) with a total investment of 464 million yuan. Upon completion, the project will establish an integrated production line encompassing casting, machining, and testing, achieving an annual production capacity of 30,000 tons and an estimated annual sales revenue of 425 million yuan, directly creating approximately 500 local jobs. This project is a landmark achievement of the park's efforts to deepen its services to existing enterprises and promote the expansion and development of high-quality local companies. After its implementation, the project will further complete the key supporting links of the regional aluminum alloy industry, improve the industrial ecosystem layout, strengthen the synergistic linkage between upstream and downstream industries, and help Wuqing District accelerate the construction of a distinctive automotive parts industrial cluster, providing solid support for the high-quality development of advanced manufacturing in the region.

According to foreign media reports, Hindalco has cancelled its acquisition plan for US-based specialty alumina manufacturer AluChem. Aditya Birla Group (of which Hindalco is a subsidiary) stated in a press release that the share purchase agreement has been terminated due to prolonged closing delays beyond the control of both companies. The statement continued, “Hindalco’s overall strategy to scale up high-value, technology-driven value-added products (VAPs) in its specialty alumina business remains unchanged, and the company will continue to evaluate various opportunities, including those in the US, to align with this strategy.” The $125 million investment aimed to expand the production scale of ultra-low sodium alumina products.