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Chicago Tribune
14-07-2025
- Business
- Chicago Tribune
This Minnesota recycled aluminum plant will help stem tariff costs
ROSEMOUNT, Minnesota — With its new $71 million expansion, EGA Spectro Alloys in this southern suburb of the Twin Cities becomes one of only about 40 plants in the U.S. that can make recycled aluminum billets. Think 25-foot-long poles of solid aluminum. The 90,000-square-foot plant gives companies a needed domestic source for the much-in-demand billets at a time when most aluminum in the U.S. is imported and faces a 50% tariff set in June by President Donald Trump. At the same time, it becomes a much bigger buyer of industrial metal scrap, a new buyer in Minnesota for recycled beer and pop cans and gives Spectro Alloys its first new product line in 53 years. 'So there's a lot of demand. We are in a really good position,' said EGA Spectro Alloys President Luke Palen. Because aluminum is used in everything from cars and fighter jets to food containers and America's ever-expanding energy grid, U.S. demand 'approached near record levels in 2024,' said Aluminum Association spokesperson Katie Rosebrook. Spectro Alloy employs about 150 workers in its original aluminum recycling plant, which makes 28-pound bricks, called ingots, that eventually become parts for Harley-Davidson motorcycles, Polaris ATVs and products made by companies like General Motors, Tesla, Black & Decker and Caterpillar. The company, which is majority owned by Emirates Global Aluminum in the United Arab Emirates, now is scrambling to add 50 new workers and expects the new billet operation to boost business by 50%, Palen said. 'Their investment (of) $71 million and creating 50 new jobs for the area is a huge impact for us,' said Adam Kienberger, community development director for Rosemount. The first molten metal recently glided from one new three-story furnace, oozed down chutes and spilled into 26-foot casting cylinders, deep in the floor of the expansion. Three new rumbling furnaces came from Austria. Once they had cooled, crane operator Lorenzo Martinez gingerly hoisted 10 billets from the 'vertical casting pit' and onto a giant conveyor belt. The load weighed nearly 18,000 pounds. The billets will be marketed under the RevivAL brand name, a nod to the fact the aluminum came from 250 recyclers. 'With this expansion, we will make 120 million pounds a year of high-quality, recycled billet,' said Palen, who said it also helps companies meet environmental goals. 'It will … contribute to a circular economy in our region and throughout the U.S.' Customers are already lined up for the billets, which will be used to build door frames, stair railings and boat docks besides auto parts and more. Last week, the first truck load shipped to Crown Extrusions in Chaska, which is working with a dock maker. The company plans to add more equipment so it can produce other products such as sheet metal alloys. Since selling 80% of the company to EGA last year, the Palens have sent engineers, technicians, chemists and metallurgists to Abu Dhabi for billet training. With the new billet plant, Minnesota will no longer have to send all of its curbside-collected aluminum-can scrap to other states for processing. Some of Spectro's billet alloy recipes will allow for some old cans, in addition to the usual industrial aluminum scrap. 'This is exciting, because it's not only going to increase the aluminum that's recycled overall, but it's the first local outlet for aluminum cans in Minnesota, at least that I'm aware of,' said Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) spokesman Mark Rust. 'It is critically important that people understand there's a reason to recycle. These products really do have value. The more material that enters the market, that adds value to Minnesota's economy.' Gwen Jenkins, MPCA's recycling and organics specialist, said she hopes Spectro's ability to use additional types of aluminum scrap will remind and encourage Minnesotans to recycle more. Right now, Minnesotans recycle just 51% of aluminum beverage cans or about 14,000 tons a year, she said.
Miami Herald
09-07-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
This Minnesota recycled aluminum plant will help stem tariff costs
ROSEMOUNT, Minnesota - With its new $71 million expansion, EGA Spectro Alloys in this southern suburb of the Twin Cities becomes one of only about 40 plants in the U.S. that can make recycled aluminum billets. Think 25-foot-long poles of solid aluminum. The 90,000-square-foot plant gives companies a needed domestic source for the much-in-demand billets at a time when most aluminum in the U.S. is imported and faces a 50% tariff set in June by President Donald Trump. At the same time, it becomes a much bigger buyer of industrial metal scrap, a new buyer in Minnesota for recycled beer and pop cans and gives Spectro Alloys its first new product line in 53 years. "So there's a lot of demand. We are in a really good position," said EGA Spectro Alloys President Luke Palen. Because aluminum is used in everything from cars and fighter jets to food containers and America's ever-expanding energy grid, U.S. demand "approached near record levels in 2024," said Aluminum Association spokesperson Katie Rosebrook. Spectro Alloy employs about 150 workers in its original aluminum recycling plant, which makes 28-pound bricks, called ingots, that eventually become parts for Harley-Davidson motorcycles, Polaris ATVs and products made by companies like General Motors, Tesla, Black & Decker and Caterpillar. The company, which is majority owned by Emirates Global Aluminum in the United Arab Emirates, now is scrambling to add 50 new workers and expects the new billet operation to boost business by 50%, Palen said. "Their investment (of) $71 million and creating 50 new jobs for the area is a huge impact for us," said Adam Kienberger, community development director for Rosemount. Last week, the first molten metal glided from one new three-story furnace, oozed down chutes and spilled into 26-foot casting cylinders, deep in the floor of the expansion. Three new rumbling furnaces came from Austria. Once they had cooled, crane operator Lorenzo Martinez gingerly hoisted 10 billets from the "vertical casting pit" and onto a giant conveyor belt. The load weighed nearly 18,000 pounds. The billets will be marketed under the RevivAL brand name, a nod to the fact the aluminum came from 250 recyclers. "With this expansion, we will make 120 million pounds a year of high-quality, recycled billet," said Palen, who said it also helps companies meet environmental goals. "It will ... contribute to a circular economy in our region and throughout the U.S." Customers are already lined up for the billets, which will be used to build door frames, stair railings and boat docks besides auto parts and more. Last week, the first truck load shipped to Crown Extrusions in Chaska, which is working with a dock maker. The company plans to add more equipment so it can produce other products such as sheet metal alloys. Since selling 80% of the company to EGA last year, the Palens have sent engineers, technicians, chemists and metallurgists to Abu Dhabi for billet training. With the new billet plant, Minnesota will no longer have to send all of its curbside-collected aluminum-can scrap to other states for processing. Some of Spectro's billet alloy recipes will allow for some old cans, in addition to the usual industrial aluminum scrap. "This is exciting, because it's not only going to increase the aluminum that's recycled overall, but it's the first local outlet for aluminum cans in Minnesota, at least that I'm aware of," said Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) spokesman Mark Rust. "It is critically important that people understand there's a reason to recycle. These products really do have value. The more material that enters the market, that adds value to Minnesota's economy." Gwen Jenkins, MPCA's recycling and organics specialist, said she hopes Spectro's ability to use additional types of aluminum scrap will remind and encourage Minnesotans to recycle more. Right now, Minnesotans recycle just 51% of aluminum beverage cans or about 14,000 tons a year, she said. Copyright (C) 2025, Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Portions copyrighted by the respective providers.
CNN
04-06-2025
- Business
- CNN
5 things to know for June 4: Tariffs, Navy ships, DOGE cuts, Violent crime prevention, Gender-affirming care
Last week, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem posted on X that an undocumented migrant from Mexico had been arrested for allegedly sending a letter threatening to kill President Donald Trump. She also shared a picture of the man and a copy of the letter. However, at the time of her post, investigators were already looking into the possibility that the migrant had been set up by Demetric Scott, who was awaiting trial in a robbery and assault case in which the migrant was the victim. According to state prosecutors in Wisconsin, Scott admitted to framing the migrant and writing the letter. To date, neither Noem nor the DHS has removed the original posting about the arrest. As for the migrant, he faces a deportation hearing today. Here's what else you need to know to Get Up to Speed and On with Your Day. Get '5 Things' in your inbox If your day doesn't start until you're up to speed on the latest headlines, then let us introduce you to your new favorite morning fix. Sign up here for the '5 Things' newsletter. Early this morning, at 12:01 a.m. ET, US tariffs on steel and aluminum doubled to 50%. The jump in import taxes was the latest salvo in President Trump's trade war, one that was praised by the beleaguered American steel industry. However, the move has found detractors in other sectors that use the metals, and experts say Americans will eventually see higher prices on items such as cars, appliances and construction materials. 'We urge the administration to take a tailored approach that reserves high tariffs for bad actors — such as China — that flood the market and includes carve outs for proven partners — such as Canada,' the Aluminum Association said in a statement. 'Doing so will ensure the US economy has the access to the aluminum it needs to grow, while we work with the administration to increase domestic production.' Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has ordered the secretary of the Navy to rename the USNS Harvey Milk. A Navy veteran and gay rights activist, Milk was assassinated while serving on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1978. At the time, he was one of the first openly gay politicians elected to office in the US. The USNS Harvey Milk is part of the John Lewis class of oiler ships that were named after civil rights leaders, which include the USNS Earl Warren, USNS Robert F. Kennedy, USNS Lucy Stone and USNS Sojourner Truth. It's not yet known if these ships will also be targeted for renaming, although such a move would be in line with Hegseth's aim of eliminating any diversity, equity and inclusion content in the Defense Department. Chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said any decisions to rename other vessels would be announced when internal reviews were complete. 'Secretary Hegseth is committed to ensuring that the names attached to all DOD installations and assets are reflective of the Commander-in-Chief's priorities, our nation's history and the warrior ethos,' Parnell said. President Trump has asked Congress to sign off on some of the federal spending cuts that the Department of Government Efficiency sought to make unilaterally. The White House request totals $9.4 billion and targets both the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which funds NPR and PBS, and the US Agency for International Development (USAID). The annual budget of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting is about $535 million — just $1.60 per taxpayer each year. And even though the US has long been the largest provider of humanitarian assistance globally, foreign aid accounts for less than 1% of the US budget. Congressional approval would codify the DOGE cuts into law so that they could not be reversed by the next administration and would help to insulate the Trump administration from legal challenges. On the campaign trail, President Trump falsely claimed that violent crime had skyrocketed in the US and that communities were less safe. Although the FBI reported that both violent and property crime had declined during the Biden administration, Trump continued to present a picture of unbridled crime in America. Yet since Trump returned to the White House, his administration has eliminated about $500 million in grants to organizations that bolster public safety, including many working to prevent gun violence. These grant cuts have prompted layoffs and reductions in state- and local-level services around the country, as well as legal proceedings against the Department of Justice. A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to continue providing gender-affirming medication to transgender inmates in federal prisons. Earlier this year, President Trump told the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) to revise its policies to 'ensure that no Federal funds are expended for any medical procedure, treatment, or drug for the purpose of conforming an inmate's appearance to that of the opposite sex.' A group of transgender inmates challenged the order and US District Judge Royce Lamberth said they were likely to succeed in their claim that the agency had violated federal rulemaking procedures. 'Nothing in the thin record before the Court suggests that either the BOP or the President consciously took stock of — much less studied — the potentially debilitating effects that the new policies could have on transgender inmates before the implementing memoranda came into force,' Lamberth wrote. NBA head coach fired Tom Thibodeau was axed just days after the New York Knicks were eliminated from the playoffs at the hands of the Indiana Pacers. Copycat cookies?Snack brand giant Mondelēz is suing Aldi, claiming the grocery chain's store-brand cookies and crackers are packaged in a way that is 'likely to deceive and confuse' customers. 'It's back'Speaking of snacks, McDonald's is bringing back a long-requested, cult favorite food item. Congrats, Vanessa Kirby!See how the British actress revealed that she is pregnant during a red carpet event for her upcoming movie, 'Fantastic Four: First Steps.' 4,000That's an estimate of how many fatal unintentional drownings happen every year in the US — an average of 11 drowning deaths per day, the CDC reports. 'I'm sorry, but I just can't stand it anymore. This massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill is a disgusting abomination. Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong. You know it.' — Tech billionaire Elon Musk on Trump's agenda bill, which the president is pressuring GOP senators to support. Check your local forecast here>>> Eau de mummyResearchers say the smell of ancient Egyptian mummified bodies give insight into the funeral processes of the past.
CNN
04-06-2025
- Business
- CNN
5 things to know for June 4: Tariffs, Navy ships, DOGE cuts, Violent crime prevention, Gender-affirming care
Last week, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem posted on X that an undocumented migrant from Mexico had been arrested for allegedly sending a letter threatening to kill President Donald Trump. She also shared a picture of the man and a copy of the letter. However, at the time of her post, investigators were already looking into the possibility that the migrant had been set up by Demetric Scott, who was awaiting trial in a robbery and assault case in which the migrant was the victim. According to state prosecutors in Wisconsin, Scott admitted to framing the migrant and writing the letter. To date, neither Noem nor the DHS has removed the original posting about the arrest. As for the migrant, he faces a deportation hearing today. Here's what else you need to know to Get Up to Speed and On with Your Day. Get '5 Things' in your inbox If your day doesn't start until you're up to speed on the latest headlines, then let us introduce you to your new favorite morning fix. Sign up here for the '5 Things' newsletter. Early this morning, at 12:01 a.m. ET, US tariffs on steel and aluminum doubled to 50%. The jump in import taxes was the latest salvo in President Trump's trade war, one that was praised by the beleaguered American steel industry. However, the move has found detractors in other sectors that use the metals, and experts say Americans will eventually see higher prices on items such as cars, appliances and construction materials. 'We urge the administration to take a tailored approach that reserves high tariffs for bad actors — such as China — that flood the market and includes carve outs for proven partners — such as Canada,' the Aluminum Association said in a statement. 'Doing so will ensure the US economy has the access to the aluminum it needs to grow, while we work with the administration to increase domestic production.' Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth has ordered the secretary of the Navy to rename the USNS Harvey Milk. A Navy veteran and gay rights activist, Milk was assassinated while serving on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors in 1978. At the time, he was one of the first openly gay politicians elected to office in the US. The USNS Harvey Milk is part of the John Lewis class of oiler ships that were named after civil rights leaders, which include the USNS Earl Warren, USNS Robert F. Kennedy, USNS Lucy Stone and USNS Sojourner Truth. It's not yet known if these ships will also be targeted for renaming, although such a move would be in line with Hegseth's aim of eliminating any diversity, equity and inclusion content in the Defense Department. Chief Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said any decisions to rename other vessels would be announced when internal reviews were complete. 'Secretary Hegseth is committed to ensuring that the names attached to all DOD installations and assets are reflective of the Commander-in-Chief's priorities, our nation's history and the warrior ethos,' Parnell said. President Trump has asked Congress to sign off on some of the federal spending cuts that the Department of Government Efficiency sought to make unilaterally. The White House request totals $9.4 billion and targets both the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which funds NPR and PBS, and the US Agency for International Development (USAID). The annual budget of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting is about $535 million — just $1.60 per taxpayer each year. And even though the US has long been the largest provider of humanitarian assistance globally, foreign aid accounts for less than 1% of the US budget. Congressional approval would codify the DOGE cuts into law so that they could not be reversed by the next administration and would help to insulate the Trump administration from legal challenges. On the campaign trail, President Trump falsely claimed that violent crime had skyrocketed in the US and that communities were less safe. Although the FBI reported that both violent and property crime had declined during the Biden administration, Trump continued to present a picture of unbridled crime in America. Yet since Trump returned to the White House, his administration has eliminated about $500 million in grants to organizations that bolster public safety, including many working to prevent gun violence. These grant cuts have prompted layoffs and reductions in state- and local-level services around the country, as well as legal proceedings against the Department of Justice. A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to continue providing gender-affirming medication to transgender inmates in federal prisons. Earlier this year, President Trump told the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) to revise its policies to 'ensure that no Federal funds are expended for any medical procedure, treatment, or drug for the purpose of conforming an inmate's appearance to that of the opposite sex.' A group of transgender inmates challenged the order and US District Judge Royce Lamberth said they were likely to succeed in their claim that the agency had violated federal rulemaking procedures. 'Nothing in the thin record before the Court suggests that either the BOP or the President consciously took stock of — much less studied — the potentially debilitating effects that the new policies could have on transgender inmates before the implementing memoranda came into force,' Lamberth wrote. NBA head coach fired Tom Thibodeau was axed just days after the New York Knicks were eliminated from the playoffs at the hands of the Indiana Pacers. Copycat cookies?Snack brand giant Mondelēz is suing Aldi, claiming the grocery chain's store-brand cookies and crackers are packaged in a way that is 'likely to deceive and confuse' customers. 'It's back'Speaking of snacks, McDonald's is bringing back a long-requested, cult favorite food item. Congrats, Vanessa Kirby!See how the British actress revealed that she is pregnant during a red carpet event for her upcoming movie, 'Fantastic Four: First Steps.' 4,000That's an estimate of how many fatal unintentional drownings happen every year in the US — an average of 11 drowning deaths per day, the CDC reports. 'I'm sorry, but I just can't stand it anymore. This massive, outrageous, pork-filled Congressional spending bill is a disgusting abomination. Shame on those who voted for it: you know you did wrong. You know it.' — Tech billionaire Elon Musk on Trump's agenda bill, which the president is pressuring GOP senators to support. Check your local forecast here>>> Eau de mummyResearchers say the smell of ancient Egyptian mummified bodies give insight into the funeral processes of the past.
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Packaging manufacturers worried by 50% tariffs on steel, aluminum
This story was originally published on Packaging Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Packaging Dive newsletter. Packaging manufacturing and metals trade groups so far are not in favor of the steel and aluminum tariff increases that President Donald Trump announced Friday. Trump unveiled plans to raise tariffs on steel and aluminum imports to 50%, up from the 25% that took effect in March. The doubled rates are slated to be implemented Wednesday. These tariffs, which are not affected by last week's court ruling blocking many levies, are intended to further protect the U.S. steel industry, Trump said Friday during a visit to a Pittsburgh steel factory to recognize Japan-based Nippon Steel's pending acquisition of U.S. Steel. But some groups say other U.S. businesses in metals supply chains wil be harmed, with these businesses — and consumers — likely suffering consequences such as increased costs. Association members 'strongly oppose any action' that would raise steel and aluminum tariffs to 50%, said Can Manufacturers Institute President Robert Budway, in a statement. 'Doubling the steel tariff will further increase the cost of canned goods at the grocery store. This cost is levied upon millions of American families relying on canned foods picked and packed by U.S. farmers, food producers, and can makers.' Following the 25% tariff announcement earlier this year, several metal packaging manufacturers, including Ball and Crown, expressed concern about increased costs from the duties and passing the hikes down to already price-stressed consumers. The duties also affect other metal packaging manufacturers, such as for caps and closures, foils and industrial steel drums. The Aluminum Association also said in an emailed statement Monday that it appreciates Trump's 'continued focus on strengthening the U.S. aluminum industry,' but these tariffs could have unintended consequences. Association members will continue working with the Trump administration to increase domestic production, said Matt Meenan, vice president of external affairs at the Aluminum Association. 'However, aluminum and steel are different.' 'Tariffs alone will not increase U.S. primary aluminum production nor support the $10 billion invested by the mid-and-downstream industry over the past decade,' Meenan said. 'We need significant new sources of reliable, low-cost electricity and an all-of-the-above policy approach to keep and collect more domestic aluminum scrap.' AA is in touch with the Trump administration to better understand the details of the levies, Meenan said. 'We urge the administration to take a tailored approach that reserves high tariffs for bad actors — such as China — that flood the market and includes carve outs for proven partners — such as Canada. Doing so will ensure the U.S. economy has the access to the aluminum it needs to grow while we work with the administration to increase domestic production.' CMI similarly seeks a more tailored approach, with Budway saying the stated plan 'plays into the hands of China and other foreign canned food producers, which are more than happy to undercut American farmers and food producers.' This risks U.S. food security, Budway said. 'We are asking President Trump for targeted tariff relief, on tin mill steel and aluminum produced by our allies and used in the production of cans that are made in America.' Budway further explained that domestic tin mill steel producers made a 'series of unfortunate decisions over the past eight years' that resulted in 'dramatic cuts that have decreased U.S. production of the specialized steel used in can making by 75%.' Therefore, domestic can makers and canned food producers now import nearly 80% of tin mill steel from foreign trade partners, he said. Meanwhile, foreign leaders are examining whether to implement countertariffs or other measures. The European Commission 'strongly' regrets the surprise doubling of tariffs, BBC reported. The commission said Monday that it will make a case this week for the United States to reduce or eliminate all announced tariffs, including those on steel and aluminum, Reuters reports. The EU previously imposed, and then suspended, countertariffs on $24 billion of U.S. imports due to the earlier metal duties. Recommended Reading Trump to increase steel, aluminum tariffs to 50% Sign in to access your portfolio
