Aluminium : a growing market facing multiple challenges

A growing aluminium market implying an ever-growing bauxite demand

According to the World Aluminium Organization aluminium demand has grown by 5.9% over the past 12 years implying an ever-growing bauxite demand.

Bauxite quality is key for alumina production process

Bauxite quality is determined by its relative proportion of available Alumina (AI2O3) compared to Silica (A/S ratio).
High quality bauxite is a key condition to optimize alumina production: a low-quality bauxite generates red muds and requires more raw material consumption.
A low-quality bauxite implies high production costs and generates environmental issues.

Bauxite quality is declining in some regions leading to challenges to secure supply

Alumina refineries face different situations depending on their proximity to high-quality bauxite deposits.
Some refineries cannot take advantage of high-quality domestic deposits and need to import bauxite since the quality of their domestic deposits is declining (situation of China).

The solutions implemented so far have not delivered satisfactory results

Increasing alumina and/or bauxite imports requires important investments and raises logistical issues in addition to freight costs and the strategic dependence generated.
Developing coal fly ash as a substitute for bauxite has not proven to be a relevant option.
The existing technologies does not allow to mine the billion tons of low-grade deposits (cost, complexity).

A growing aluminium market implying an ever-growing bauxite demand

According to the World Aluminium Organization aluminium demand has grown by 5.9% over the past 12 years implying an ever-growing bauxite demand.

Bauxite quality is key for alumina production process

Bauxite quality is determined by its relative proportion of available Alumina (AI2O3) compared to Silica (A/S ratio).
High quality bauxite is a key condition to optimize alumina production: a low-quality bauxite generate red muds and require more raw material consumption.
A low-quality bauxite implies high production costs and generate environmental issues.

Bauxite quality is declining in some regions leading to challenges to secure supply

Alumina refineries face different situations depending on their proximity to high-quality bauxite deposits.
Some refineries cannot take advantage of high-quality domestic deposits and need to import bauxite since the quality of their domestic deposits is declining (situation of China).

The solutions implemented so far have not delivered satisfactory results

Increasing alumina and/or bauxite imports requires important investments and raises logistical issues in addition to freight costs and the strategic dependence generated.
Developing coal fly ash as a substitute for bauxite has not proven to be a relevant option.
The existing technologies does not allow to mine the billion tons of low-grade deposits (cost, complexity).

IB2: An innovative technology to produce Alumina from low grade bauxite

What ?

For the last 4 years a dedicated team of 10 experienced professionals has joined forces to developp an innovative and easy to implement technology answering the multiple challenges faced by the industry and came up with:
IB2 a unique innovative solution to produce alumina with low grade bauxite

IB2 makes it possible to use low grade bauxite without enduring the usual constraints implied.

How ?

IB2 stands for the combination of Improved Bauxite and Improved Bayer.

Initial

Low grade Bauxite

Step 1

Improved Bauxite

Step 2

Improved Bayer

Reached

Alumina (AI₂O₃)

IB2 solution does not require to remove or modify the existing refinery equipment (IB2 unit plugged on existing refinery).

Learn more about IB2 by watching the video above

IB2: a unique solution with multidimensional benefits

Financial

High opex savings
(less raw material consumption)
High and quick return on investment

Environmental

Less red mud

Strategic

Use of low-grade domestic deposits
Secured bauxite supply

Technology

Easy to implement
Best results on the market

IB2 Technology opens a wide range of business opportunities

IB2 solution opens a wide range of business opportunities for different industry players including inter-alia:

Alumina refiners
Bauxite traders
Bauxite miners or company dealing with bauxite treatment
Providers of process technologies and/or industries’ services
Institutions or individuals responsible for mining and refining environmentals’ issues