Conference Topics
The focus of this year’s conference will be on how the Chinese dragon has changed. Topics to be discussed will include:
- China's economy & new leadership: their credentials, vision, record and the challenges before them. China is turning left and it is becoming increasingly more difficult for foreign companies. What is the effect of specific issues such as inflation, balanced growth, individual versus collective interests, how the Communist party influences decisions, currency, Chinese walls, obstacles to business and etc. How does the 12th five year plan impact economic growth? Will there be a hard landing?
- Following the roller coaster rides of the last few years, when prices rose and fell beyond the predictions and budgets of most players, how does one succeed in today's market?
- China's aluminium industry has the potential to create havoc for the rest of the world – rampant growth could consume raw materials, pushing prices up.
- What is the driving force for the price improvement of aluminium? What is the status and future of the consumption sectors such as automobile, real estate, transportation in China?
- China is defying the world when it comes to anode grade coke. Predictions of shortages and the need to switch to non-traditional coke seem misplaced in the light of record anode grade production. But what of the lessons of the past 10 years, and spiralling prices? How do I incorporate China in my coke strategy without adding too much risk to the profile?
Technical papers will follow a similar line:
Aluminium - Growth of supply versus the impact on energy, environment and raw materials (including coal). China will, and should, become a net importer of primary aluminium.
- Issues: present situation, supply of energy, supply of bauxite/alumina, international smelter industry impact, price gouging, domestic demand – construction, transport, packaging etc
Green coke - China is an unreliable supplier of green coke, especially anode grade.
- Issues: Total supply, price history, imports of crude oil, domestic demand as driver of market, world supply balance
Calcined coke - China prices don't reflect cost. China calciners need to offer term pricing just like in the USA and Europe.
- Issues: Pricing, blending
Anodes - In future, the world must start locating anode plants in China.
ALF3 - Anhydrous ALF3 is nothing more than a marketing angle – it offers little net benefit to many smelters. The fluorspar price is supported by government's exploration quota policy. So what will happen when this support encounters the over-capacity status in the AlF3 industry?
Topics will continue to evolve as we accept more speakers. Click here for the latest version of the agenda.