Nonferrous

Strong Dollar Doldrums

Exporters of American-made commodities have more than supply and demand to worry about. The continually strong U.S. dollar adds an extra element of challenge to the exporting scene for processors of scrap aluminum, copper and other metals.

But what has been a hurdle for Americans has proven to be a boost for European exporters of nonferrous metals and other commodities.

Reporting to delegates at the BIR Fall Convention in Dusseldorf, Germany in November, Hans-Peter Munster of German nonferrous metals recycling association VDM, cited the euro’s weakness versus the U.S. dollar as one reason nonferrous conditions have improved in Europe.

A 20% weakening of the euro against the dollar in 2000 has resulted in “higher prices in the EU single market in relation to world values,” said Munster.

Noting that nonferrous recycling conditions could be considered slack dating back to 1996, Munster said the markets had taken a “deep breath” and developed positively in Europe in 2000. Selling prices have risen and margins have stabilized for European traders and processors located in the euro-trading zone.

The weakness of the euro has helped European processors fill the copper and aluminum demand coming from the now healthier Asia/Pacific region.

The opportunities enjoyed by European processors have not been shared with nearly as much margin comfort by U.S. exporters , where the strong dollar has squelched some deals and squeezed the profitability out of many others.

Metal Reclamation and Recycling Site Launched

Those looking to dispose of nonferrous metal by-products can go to www.AvidAmericas.com to be provided with an Individually Customized Program (ICP) that includes: material form, description, quote, packaging, price, representation, location, classification, shipment date and mode of transportation and any special instructions.

AvidaAmericas LLC, New York, says it has a worldwide network of offices and can locate reclamation options for specific materials. Some of the materials the site handles include spent catalysts, ashes, grindings, complex residues, sludges, slurries, dusts and tubes.

Contest Winners Announced

The winners of the first International Aluminum Extrusion Design Competition have been announced by the Aluminum Extruders Council (AEC). Fifty-seven entries were submitted in six categories—building and construction/architectural, transportation/automotive, industrial/machinery, commercial/office and residential/leisure. Student entries were grouped into a separate category.

Winners were those that exhibited the benefits of aluminum extrusions by either inventing a new product or improving an existing one. Entries were judged on ease of fabrication and assembly, cost-effectiveness, innovation, new application capability, customization, close tolerances, improvement of extrusion process and likelihood of market success.

The winners were: