Japan firms test Al, alloys to generate hydrogen in EVs

: Hydrogen, Metals, Oil products
20/12/11

A Japanese energy and resource recycling firm is collaborating with carmaker Toyota to test the use of aluminium and alloys recovered in car manufacturing as a source of hydrogen generation for fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs).

Toyama-based Alhytec has commissioned a pilot hydrogen generation plant in Toyama prefecture's Takaoka to use aluminium alloy chips collected from Toyota's engine and fuel cell tank manufacturing plants in Aichi prefecture. The company aims to commercially develop a hydrogen generation unit using aluminium and alloys for marketing to industrial plants.

Hydrogen can be produced from the reaction of aluminium and water. Aluminium hydroxide generated as a by-product from the process can also be utilised in production of various chemical and industrial materials. Such a recycling process, if materialised locally, does not require any hydrogen storage and transport infrastructure.

A group of local Japanese firms in 2015 launched a roundtable discussion to study the potential of hydrogen energy businesses by treatment of aluminium and alloys. The participants included Alhytec and aluminium construction materials maker Sankyo Tateyama, both based in Toyama. Toyama was also home to energy-intensive aluminium smelters, who utilised the advantage of low-cost hydroelectricity generated in nearby mountain areas, before they closed down. Toyama continues to house various aluminium-consumer industries.

Japan no longer produces aluminium ingots locally after the country's last aluminium smelter, Nippon Light Metal's Kanbara smelter, closed in 2014. The country's aluminium imports dropped by 8pc on the year to 1.4mn t during the April 2019-March 2020 fiscal year.

Toyota has worked with Alhytec in technology development for hydrogen generation, to identify more efficient use of aluminium chips generated daily in its manufacturing process. The company has also been participating in initiatives to build a hydrogen supply chain and promote hydrogen businesses as part of efforts towards a decarbonised society.

Toyota on 9 December launched the Mirai FCEV, designed to have a 850km cruising range without needing to refuel, around a 30pc improvement in cruising range over the first-generation Mirai launched in 2014 as the world's first mass-produced FCEV.

By Rieko Suda

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25/01/14

Colonial shuts Line 1 due to Georgia spill: Update

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Biomethan: Missbrauchsverfahren gegen THE gestartet

25/01/14

Biomethan: Missbrauchsverfahren gegen THE gestartet

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Cliffs still seeks US Steel, pledges no closures

25/01/13

Cliffs still seeks US Steel, pledges no closures

Houston, 13 January (Argus) — Cleveland-Cliffs chief executive Lourenco Goncalves said today that he remains open to buying US Steel, promising to keep all of the acquired assets open. Goncalves said Ohio-based Cliffs still wants to buy Pennsylvania-based US Steel and would invest in the company's assets. "Of course, we are going to keep [US Steel mills] open," Goncalves told reporters on Monday. "We are going to make them bigger, we are going to make them better, we are going to produce more." His comments come 10 days after President Joe Biden blocked Japan-based Nippon Steel's agreement to buy US Steel for $15bn, citing national security concerns. Nippon had committed to invest $1.3bn in US Steel's mills and to not cut any of US Steel's production for 10 years without government approval. Cliffs tried to buy US Steel for $54/share with half paid in cash and half in company stock before US Steel agreed to go with Nippon's $55/share all-cash offer. Goncalves promise to not close any acquired assets comes as the US steel market remains oversupplied , according to market sources. Goncalves said he cannot make a bid for US Steel until the company and Nippon cancel their merger agreement. He also dismissed antitrust concerns over Cliffs owning all US iron ore mines and all US blast furnace capacity. A combined company would have Cliffs running the mining side of the business and US Steel running the steelmaking operations, he said. A US Steel-Cliffs merger would have 32.1mn short tons (st)/yr of flat rolled raw steel capacity, in addition to plate making and seamless tube production. Goncalves did not say how he would finance such a purchase. Cliffs had $3.8bn in liquidity as of 30 September, including $39mn of cash, according to a third-quarter presentation. US Steel had $4.05bn in liquidity in the same period, of which $1.77bn was cash. Nippon is trying to buy US Steel. Both companies have sued Biden and others in the government over the denial, and filed a separate lawsuit against Cliffs, Goncalves and United Steelworkers (USW) International president David McCall, who endorsed a takeover by Cliffs. By Rye Druzchetta Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Mexico’s industrial output up 0.1pc in November

25/01/13

Mexico’s industrial output up 0.1pc in November

Mexico City, 13 January (Argus) — Mexico's industrial production edged up 0.1pc in November, as gains in autos and other manufacturing offset weaker construction, national statistics agency Inegi said. Mexican bank Banorte described the monthly increase as "rather small," noting it followed a 1.1pc decline in October and was largely driven by base comparison effects. The bank added that the overall industrial outlook remained "fragile." Manufacturing, which represents 63pc of Inegi's seasonally adjusted industrial activity indicator (IMAI), increased by 0.7pc in November, though it failed to fully recover from a 1.7pc drop in October. Transportation manufacturing, a key subsector accounting for 12pc of the sector, rose by 3.8pc after a steep 4.3pc decline the prior month. Despite recent volatility, Mexico's auto sector achieved record annual light vehicle production in 2024, reaching 3.99mn units. Yet, automaker association AMIA warned of potential challenges in 2025 because of economic uncertainty, which could affect investment and demand. Mining, which makes up 12pc of the IMAI, increased by 0.1pc in November following a 1.1pc decline in October. Growth was driven by a 41.4pc jump in mining-related services, while oil and gas output fell by 2.4pc, marking a fifth consecutive monthly decline for hydrocarbons. Construction, representing 19pc of the IMAI, contracted by 1.8pc in November after modest gains of 0.2pc in October and 1.1pc in September. As industry eyes potential policy shifts under US president-elect Donald Trump, Banorte projected a weak start to 2025 for Mexico's industrial output. But it expects momentum to build as government spending on priority infrastructure projects "moves more decisively." By James Young Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Lithium prices unlikely to recover in 2025

25/01/13

Lithium prices unlikely to recover in 2025

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