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The Briefing—November 3, 2009

ASSOCIATION HEADLINES

Membership

Steven Demetriou Elected Chairman of the Aluminum Association Board of Directors; Thomas Brackmann Elected Vice Chairman

Steven Demetriou (Chairman and CEO, Aleris International Inc.) was elected Chairman, and Thomas Brackmann (President, Nichols Aluminum) Vice Chairman, of the Board of the Aluminum Association at the Annual Meeting, held October 19-20 at the Hotel Palomar and Waterview Conference Center in Arlington, Virginia.  

Three New Associate Member Companies Join Association

The Board of Directors has approved three companies to join the Aluminum Association as Associate Members - bringing total membership to 85 companies. The three newest members are ABB AB, Lhoist North America, and Altek-MDY LLC.  

KB Alloys' Bob Longenecker Earns 2009 Marlan Boultinghouse Award

Bob Longenecker, Chairman of KB Alloys LLC, has been named the 2009 Marlan Boultinghouse Award winner for service to the aluminum industry.  

Economics & Statistics

Petersen, Southwood: A Modest Uptick Ahead

Aluminum markets are likely to rebound modestly in the months ahead, but relatively weak underlying fundamentals indicate that it will likely be some time before they return to the heights of several years ago. This was the consensus of Michael Petersen, President of Petersen Aluminum, and Jim Southwood, President of CRU Price Risk Management, who spoke to industry leaders at the Aluminum Association Annual Meeting on October 20.  

Aluminum Transportation Group

Aluminum Use in EVs Will Reduce Battery Requirements, and Overall Vehicle Costs, for Plug-Ins and Hybrids, Association Study Confirms

Opting for high-strength, low-weight aluminum over heavier steel structures for plug-in electric and hybrid vehicles can cut overall vehicle price by reducing the battery energy requirements and associated costs, according to a study conducted by the Aluminum Association and Ricardo, a research and strategic consultancy.  

High Aluminum Content Vehicle Database Updated for 2009

The Aluminum Transportation Group has updated its High Aluminum Content Vehicle Database for 2009. The database houses information on 2009-model-year vehicles containing a minimum of 400 pounds of automotive aluminum or 10 percent of vehicle curb weight.  

Sustainability/Recycling

Novelis Takes Home Keep America Beautiful's 2009 'Vision for America' Award

Novelis was awarded Keep America Beautiful's 2009 Vision for America Award at a gala dinner October 21 attended by senior Aluminum Association staff. Keep America Beautiful honored Novelis for the company's leadership in environmental issues, employee volunteerism, and its efforts to promote recycling in America and worldwide.  

Foil Committee

Online Game Shows Ubiquity of Aluminum Foil in the Household

A new online game developed by the European Aluminium Foil Association and promoted by the Aluminum Association's Foil Committee shows youngsters how ubiquitous aluminum foil is throughout the home.