We welcome a new addition to our high-end cutting machinery family.
Staying true to our German engineered fleet we decided for an award winning cutter from KASTO again. A quick run down of the most important specs for our customers:

• It handle diameters of up to 460mm.
• The speed has increased to a maximum feed rate of 150m/min.
• Has “blade deviation control” to insure straighter cuts
• 0.1mm accuracy in cut
• Less off-cut @ 35mm remnant remaining

For more detailed info on the capabilities of this machine please have a look at the Data Sheet . We look forward seeing you with improved cuts and service delivery here at MTT.

The global construction industry is expected to reach an estimated value of $10,388.6 billion by 2019.

Opportunities in the global construction industry include:

• Strong economic growth in developing nations, such as China, India, and the Middle East countries, is expected to further drive infrastructure development
• Growth due to the positive impact of new green/environmental standards in first world countries
• Global population growth means an increase in the urbanization rate

Appearances of modern cities and towns have greatly been influenced by the use of Aluminium in construction. Aluminium is light and strong and can be given virtually any desired shape. Looking at the global end use of aluminium in 2014 (chart below), the construction sector was the second largest consumer of aluminium with 25% of all aluminium produced worldwide used in construction.

China’s aluminium usage in the construction industry

China is the world’s fastest growing economy. Over 46% of China’s soaring GDP comes from the country’s rapid industrial growth. This industrial growth is predominantly driven by the massive urbanization taking place which is increasing demand for aluminium and the raw materials used in its production. Due to unmatched growth rates, China, which now plays the dominant role in the global aluminium market, is expected to remain the world’s largest aluminium consumer throughout the next 10-15 years. Already accounting for about a half of global aluminium consumption, China is forecasted to boost this share to 59% by 2025.

Aluminum is considered a vital component of green and sustainable buildings for several reasons:

• Maximization of natural light – heavy glass windows are easily supported by high-strength, low-weight aluminum frames.
• Aluminium is easily recycled and loses none of its properties during the process.
• Aluminium can be used in any climatic conditions and does not lose its properties in temperatures ranging between –80 °C and +300 °C.
• Aluminium structures become even stronger at low temperatures. That is why it is widely used in construction in cold areas like Siberia in Russia.

Written by: Lasell Swart

Sources:

The True Story of the Aluminium Twins Hall and Héroult

Aluminium is the most abundant metal on earth. However it is rarely found in its elemental state as we know it and we primarily see it in its commercial source, Bauxite.  It is interesting to note that the method for making aluminium used to be complicated and expensive. The cost to make a small bit of aluminium in the early 19th century was higher than for gold or platinum. Bars of aluminium were exhibited with the French Crown Jewels in 1855. Emperor Napoleon III of France was said to reserve his small set of aluminium dinner plates and eating utensils only for his most honored guests. When aluminium was selected as the material for the cap and lightning rod on top of the Washington Monument it was still more expensive than silver.

130 Years of Hall and Héroult

The year 2016 marks 130 years of the Hall-Héroult process. Thanks to one chemist called Martin Hall and one scientist called Paul Héroult for establishing the modern way of producing aluminum. Seeing as the process is called Hall-Héroult one would assume they were working together to innovate this discovery. Surprisingly not! It turns out that the inventors discovered the same process simultaneously and independently. Hall and Héroult were both aged 23 when they applied their patents for the production of aluminium. They were quickly labeled “the aluminium twins” by the newspapers at the time.

The invention was based on the fused-salt electrolysis of alumina dissolved in a molten Cryolite bath. 130 years later, the process is still used however with some large improvements to meet economic, energy and environmental challenges. Consumption increased from a few thousand tons in 1900 to 50 million tons worldwide. A third of this metal is produced from recycling.

Key facts:

• China is the second largest bauxite mine producer, generating 60 million metric tons in 2015
• China has the largest smelter production of aluminium in the world. In 2015 they had a total smelter production of 32 million metric tons. Russia was second largest with 3.5 million metric tons.
• 75 percent of all aluminium produced is still in use today
• Half of global aluminium is consumed by China and it’s forecasted to increase this share to 59% by 2025

The Hall-Héroult process was invented in Europe and America but China is the country that uses it the most. MTT is proud to be part of the aluminium life cycle and helping the world become more sustainable and advanced through the use of aluminium.

Written by: Lassel Swart

References:  |  ||

The total global aluminium production grew from 32 002 million tons in 2005 to 53 180 million tons in 2014 and is expected to reach 59 000 million tons in 2016. Looking at specific countries (see table below) it is clear that most countries decreased production while China significantly increased production.

According to the LME, global aluminium prices rose briefly in mid-July to over $ 1,700 per tons for the first time in twelve months. The sudden rise was due to the shock over the Brexit referendum. Prices quickly returned to normal as the global aluminium market is currently well supplied. China being by far the largest producer of aluminium represents a market share of almost 54%. The sharp rise of aluminium prices caused previously closed Chinese production facilities to go back into operation and all surplus materials were also exported.  As a result the aluminium price went back to 12,000 CNY ($ 1,826 USD) per ton whereby the LME average for July 2016 had been $ 1630 per ton – which is considered the break-even amount.

 GRAPH 1: year-on-year change in monthly aluminium production rate in percent

PERSISTENTLY HIGH CHINESE EXPORTS, DECREASES PHYSICAL PREMIUMS WORLDWIDE

High Chinese production continues to get exported to the rest of the world. The decrease in local Chinese demand for aluminium adds to the pressure of exporting more material. As a result the physical premiums on aluminium have fallen in major countries and regions.

GRAPH 2: Falling physical premiums speak against shortage on aluminum market (USD per ton)

According to industry sources Japanese aluminium producers and consumers agreed to a premium of 90 US $ per Ton for the third quarter of this year. This is 22% less than in the second quarter.  In Europe and the US the physical premiums are also in decline. According to data from Metal Bulletin, the European premium in mid-July was 65 USD per ton. The lowest level since October 2015. In the US, the impact corresponds with a premium of 150 USD per ton. The low premiums indicate that there is no shortage in aluminium supplies and therefore one should expect the price of aluminum to remain in the lower levels.

GLOBAL ALUMINIUM SUPPLY AND DEMAND BALANCE

According to data from the international Aluminium Institute (IAI) the dominant trend (as shown in the chart below) is towards a decrease in the aluminium price. It is expected that the aluminium price will range between $ 1440 and $ 1600 for the rest of the year.

MTT is a leading importer of Chinese aluminium semi-finished products. We offer tubes, bars, profiles, foil, sheets, strip and plates. With strong relationships in China, Singapore and Germany we are able to offer you high quality products at international competitive prices. Please let us have your specific requirements enabling us to provide you with our best offer.

Written by: Lasell Swart

Sources:

Aluminium Insider  | Metal Bullentin  | Commerzbank:

Modern trucks, buses and trailers with aluminium bodies are several hundred kilograms lighter than those built using conventional methods of construction. There are multiple advantages of using aluminium in the road transportation industry. China’s largest bus manufacturer (the world’s second largest), developed two environmentally-friendly bus prototypes. The aluminium-intensive bus body is nearly 50% lighter than a traditional bus. It requires less fuel and emits fewer greenhouse gases.

The main concern of transport companies is profitability. Investment in new engine technologies and the rising price of fuel increases costs. At the same time it is difficult to increase transport prices due to the high competition between operators. Therefore, vehicle manufacturers aim to constantly improve their performance at minimum costs. South American, in particular Brazilian, buses have always been extensively manufactured with aluminium. This experience has enabled Brazil’s to become worldwide leaders in bus manufacturing. The same applies to Chinese manufacturers. The choice of material greatly impacts the profitability. Key benefits of using aluminium:

Improved Fleet Performance 

Truck fleet operators benefit from a better performance of their fleet. The use of aluminium ensures a significant cargo increase which makes the fleet much more profitable. Another fact is cost savings that result from smaller fleets with less staff, lower fuel bills and lower road toll costs.

Recycling

Use of aluminium components increases the residual value of vehicles due to the high value of aluminium scrap. The aluminium components are recycled in an established process and thus land-filling is avoided.  For these reasons, aluminium use in trucks, trailers and buses will continue to grow significantly.

Aluminium Looks Good Forever 

Modern commercial vehicles can’t escape the pressures of industrial design. Among other things operators vehicles represent their businesses its essential for their fleets to look good and be clean. Due to aluminium’s flexible properties it is the ideal material for producing vehicles that not only look good but are easy to clean.

China: A New Era of City Buses 

Recent years have witnessed a continuing population shift in China, as more people migrate from rural areas to urban settings. This inward migration presents stresses to the existing infrastructure — particularly transportation routes. As a solution China has begun implementing bus rapid transit (BRT) systems, which increase speed (due to aluminium), safety and diminish pollution.

In summary aluminium usage in the road transportation industry has been very successful due to the lightness of aluminium, the design flexibility for manufacturers and the economical way that the material can be recycled. Aluminium rolled and extruded products used by the truck and bus manufacturing industry in China is also available for export.  MTT offers rolled, extruded and cast alloys for manufacturers.

References –   |  |

by Lasell Swart

Aluminium packaging provides a complete barrier to moisture, light, oxygen, and bacteria. Products as diverse as soup, coffee, chocolates, tobacco, toiletries, tennis balls, chilled foods and take-away meals are packaged in it.  Aluminium’s ability to form any shape has made it the most versatile packaging material in the world. A key benefit is that aluminium packaging materials can be 100% recycled and reused an infinite number of times.

Aluminium Foil and Can Packaging

The first aluminium rolling plant opened in 1910 in Switzerland. In 1911, Switzerland–based Tobler began wrapping it’s world famous triangular chocolate bar, Toblerone in foil. Foil packaging usage and improvements grew to include the use of print, colour and laminate aluminium. Foil packaging often ensures that the shelf life of groceries can exceed 12 months.

Aluminium beverage cans are the most environmentally friendly and most recyclable type of container in the world. The can itself does not get rusty or lose its properties in any way. On average, it takes 60 days to manufacture one aluminium can, fill it up, deliver it to a store, sell it to a customer, recycle it and make a new can from it. Global growth of the aluminium beverage can industry is projected at four to five percent in 2016 – this trend to continue.

Savings in Transport 

Aluminium as a packaging material also enables savings through transporting goods. For example, Kraft Foods replaced glass bottles with composite aluminium bags. The amount of beverages they could transport in a single vehicle doubled as the aluminium composite bags weigh only 6.1% of the weight of the beverages themselves.

Looking at the future

The chart below shows 2014’s packaging industry. Metal (Aluminium) make up around 17% of the packaging market. It is predicted that the global packaging industry’s annual growth will be 4% in 2017. With sales expected to reach over 1 billion US dollars by 2018.

The increased growth of urbanisation, There are a number of trends responsible for this expected growth. Driving packaging demand in China, India, Brazil, Russia and other emerging economies are:

• The development of retail chains
• The expanding healthcare and cosmetic sectors
• The increasing presence of women in the workforce will result in a preference for convenience packaged food and beverage items.

In developed countries the trend is towards smaller households. Accompanying this is a rise in demand for smaller pack sizes for convenience. There are also a growing number of men interested in health and beauty products.

Lightweight

The weight of aluminium beverage cans have been reduced further and further over the years. The first beverage can over 60 years ago weighed more than 80 grams. Today a 330 ml aluminium can weighs about 13 grams.

The thickness of aluminium foil used to be a standard minimum thickness of 7 microns in converter foil. This has been reduced to 6.5 and now 6.35 microns. MTT is now offering 5.50 microns aluminium foil for the packaging industry. The thinnest foil we supply is 4.5 microns for the use of capacitors.

By Lasell Swart

References:

European Aluminium  Aluminium.org   Freedonia groupAluminium LeaderSmither spiraCanadean report

Aluminium High-Speed trains – lightweight metal

In the 1980s, aluminium became the prominent metal of choice for trams and high-speed trains. This improved acceleration and decreased running costs. In 1996, the TGV Duplex train combined the concept of high speed trains with that of optimal capacity. Transporting 40% more passengers and weighing 12% less, all thanks to its aluminium structure.

Today, aluminium metro’s and trams operate in many countries such as China which has the world’s longest High Speed Rail network with over 19,000 km of track in service as of January 2016, which is more than the rest of the world’s high-speed rail tracks combined. A network length of 30,000 km is planned for 2020.

Aluminium innovation in high-speed trains

The latest technology is trains made of aluminium foam. A material that’s stronger, lighter, and better in a crash than fiberglass or regular metal. Aluminium foam was invented in 1968, but the longstanding problem for using it in industrial applications was the difficulty of shaping the material.  Now, engineers have demonstrated aluminium foam surfaces can be formed economically using embossing tools.

Engineers in Chemitz, Germany unveiled a prototype high-speed train cab made with the aluminium foam earlier this year. The composite material is built like a sandwich: Between two pieces of aluminium, is a thick layer of the foam, composed of magnesium, silicon, copper, and aluminium. The material is 20 percent lighter than traditional fiberglass, which is commonly used on high-speed train cabs.

Trans-oceanic railway in South America 

Exactly one year ago China and South America agreed to conduct a feasibility study of a 5,300 km transcontinental railroad that will connect Peru’s Pacific coast with Brazil’s Atlantic coast. This railway, known in Brazil as the Trans-oceanic Highway will cross the Amazon and the Andes where it will reach an altitude of over 2,500 meters above sea level and has an estimated cost of US$50 billion.

The Trans-oceanic Highway will decrease transportation time of goods and prevent raw materials from South America having to go through the Panama Canal, from where they currently take about 30 days to reach China. South America would benefit from the project by upgrading infrastructure.

The cost should be better defined when the preliminary economic feasibility study is completed, which should happen later this month. We are certain that the use of aluminium in this project will be prominent.

The future of railway transportation 

It is clear that railway transportation and construction will continue to evolve. The various attributes of aluminium, especially its light weight, durability, and corrosion resistance ensures that aluminium sheet, extrusions and composite panels have a strong future in the development of rail transportation systems around the world. All available from MTT. We offer special prices on sheets and extrusions this month. Please contact us for the details of our offer.

By – Lasell Swart

References: Macauhub  | Reuters http://reut.rs/1XlXCS4 | Wired: