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scrap than their permits allow until
September. However, they must dem-
onstrate they have taken ‘reasonable
steps’ to comply with their normal con-
ditions and notify authorities in writing
of their intentions.
DUMPING CHALLENGE
Away from coronavirus, European
Aluminium criticised a US investigation
into the alleged dumping of common
alloy sheet from countries including
Croatia, Germany, Greece, Italy,
Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain and
Turkey. Following complaints by five US
aluminium producers, the US
International Trade Commission inquiry
was launched on 9 March. Other coun-
tries being investigated include Bahrain,
Brazil, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Korea,
Oman, Serbia, South Africa and Taiwan.
Common alloy sheet is widely used in
the transportation, building and con-
struction, infrastructure, electrical and
marine sectors.
European Aluminium, which represents
more than 80 companies with more
than 600 plants in 30 counties across
the continent, rejects allegations of
‘injurious dumping and subsidisation’.
Instead it urges the US authorities to
work with the European Commission to
address subsidised Chinese overcapaci-
ty, which it says is the root cause of the
challenges faced by the aluminium
industries in Europe and the US. Gerd
Götz, director general of European
Aluminium, says his members are ‘very
concerned’ about the possibility of
additional trade barriers between the
US and Europe.
PRICE ROUND-UP
Low prices on the London metal
exchange are causing concern. This
means that many traders are currently
storing expensive metal purchases and
not handing them in because they
would lose a lot when they are sold.
As of 3 April, LME quotes (three
months) were: aluminium HG US$ 1
486, aluminium alloy US$ 1 190, lead
US$ 1 674, copper US$ 4 880, nickel
US$ 11 257, zinc US$ 1 876 and tin US$
1 4370.
Scrap prices have also dropped notice-
ably compared to the previous weeks:
Bare copper wire US$ 4 590 – 4 790;
copper wire Ia US$ 4 590 – 4 850; non-
alloyed copper wire I US$ 4 300 – 4 490;
V2A US$ 705 – 890; V4A US$ 1 190 – 1
400 ; soft lead US$ 1 320 – 1 440; wire
scrap made of pure aluminium; US$ 1
380 – 1 500; aluminium profile US$ 1
380 – 1 470.
Meanwhile, preliminary data from the
International Copper Study Group indi-
cates that world mine production in 2019
declined by about 0.7% with reduced
output in the major copper mine produc-
ing countries more than offsetting
growth in other countries. World refined
production declined by about 0.6% in
2019 with primary production (electrolyt-
ic and electrowinning) falling by 1% but
secondary production (from scrap) up
1.5%. Preliminary world refined copper
balance for 2019 indicates a deficit of
about 340 000 tonnes.
CONTRIBUTED By
* Ralf Schmitz, German non-ferrous
trade association VDM (Europe)
* Robin Latchem
non-ferrous
73recyclinginternational.com | May/June | 2020
ADDING
VALUE
www.briquetting.com/contact/ Ruf Maschinenbau GmbH & Co.KG | Tel. +49 (0) 8268/9090-20 | [email protected]
BENEFITING
B R I Q U E T T I N G
Briquette chips, dust and sludge from aluminium, cast-iron, steel, copper alloy and many other materials.
recovery of cooling
lubricants
Simplifi ed logistics –
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Additional revenue
for briquettes
Defi ned scrap
quality
volume reduction
RUF_M17_RecInt_205x85_GB_oM.indd 1 11.04.20 11:39
70-71-72-73_manonferrous.indd 73 15-04-20 15:33