[SMM Chromium Flash] FACOR’s Ferrochrome Production Rises 26% Year on Year in Q2 FY2027​

Afrochine Smelting has secured a US$155.5 million financing package for the 115 MW Centrachine Solar PV Project in Selous, Zimbabwe, following the signing of a direct agreement with project developer African Transmission Corporation. The package comprises an US$87.5 million long-term facility led by the Trade and Development Bank, a US$65 million bridge facility from Sinohydro Leasing International and a US$3 million facility from FBC Bank, underwritten by Old Mutual.​ The solar project is designed to supply electricity to Afrochine’s ferrochrome smelting operations through a dedicated transmission line under a 25-year power purchase agreement. Commissioning is targeted for July 2027, ahead of the previous October 2027 schedule. The development could improve long-term electricity security for the energy-intensive smelting operation, although its impact on production costs will depend on the project’s eventual operating performance and power-supply terms.

India’s chrome ore production increased 12% year on year to 3.53 million tonnes in fiscal year 2025–26, while ferrochrome production rose 10% to 1.49 million tonnes, according to industry data presented at the International Ferro Alloys Conference in Goa. The increases indicate growth in both domestic chromite supply and downstream ferrochrome production.​ The expansion comes as India seeks to strengthen its domestic ferroalloy industry alongside rising steelmaking demand. Higher chrome ore and ferrochrome output could support raw-material availability and domestic value addition, although the annual figures do not by themselves establish changes in export availability or the market balance.

[Secondary Aluminum Weekly Review: Weakening Cost Support and Subdued Peak Season Demand Drive ADC12 Price Center Lower] Aluminum scrap prices fluctuated at highs this week, with the price center tracking primary aluminum lower while showing notable resilience. As of October 15, SMM A00 aluminum closed at 23,260 yuan/mt, down 500 yuan/mt WoW from last Thursday. The price difference between A00 aluminum and aluminum scrap narrowed significantly: on October 15, the price difference between A00 aluminum and mixed aluminum extrusion scrap free of paint in Foshan stood at approximately 2,155 yuan/mt, narrowing 337 yuan/mt WoW from last Thursday; the price difference between A00 aluminum and shredded aluminum tense scrap stood at approximately 711 yuan/mt, narrowing 615 yuan/mt WoW.