Iran's major aluminum producers' output stood at 62,146 tons during the first three months of the current Iranian year (March 21-June 21), which indicates a 32% decrease compared with last year's corresponding period.
The announcement was made in a report by Iranian Mines and Mining Industries Development and Renovation Organization.
Flagship producer Iran Aluminum Company accounted for 45,976 tons of the total figure, registering an increase of 2% year-on-year. It was followed by Hormozal Aluminum Company with 7,799 tons, down 73% YOY, and Almahdi Aluminum Company with 7,401 tons, down 58% YOY.
Aluminum production during the month to June 21 stood at 20,779 tons, showing a fall of 32% YOY.
Iran Alumina Company produced 61,407 tons of alumina powder during three months, remaining unchanged YOY.
Alumina powder output in the month to June 21 amounted to 22,499 tons, down by 11% compared to last year’s similar period.
40K Tons Added to Iran's Aluminum Production Capacity
Jajarm Aluminum Complex recently became operational to add 40,000 tons to the capacity of Iran's annual aluminum ingot production.
An inaugural ceremony was held on Sunday at the site of the complex in the presence of Industries Minister Reza Rahmani.
The plant was inaugurated on the sidelines of President Hassan Rouhani and his Cabinet’s visit to North Khorasan Province, wherein lies Jajarm Aluminum Complex, ILNA reported.
According to Rahmani, the plant has become operational with an investment of 17 trillion rials ($136 million), creating 400 direct and 1,600 indirect jobs.
"Jajarm Aluminum Complex fulfills 30% of Iran’s domestic demand," Rahmani said.
Excluding the new production plant capacity, Iran has a current aluminum nameplate capacity of 457,000 tons per year, of which about 437,000 tons are operational, according to Metal Bulletin.
The country is planning to increase annual production to 1.5 million tons by 2025.
According to Rahmani, currently 27 major mining projects with more than $3.5 billion of investment are underway in Iran, including South Aluminum Company with an investment of $1.2 billion, which is slated to be inaugurated by the end of the current fiscal year (March 2020).
The minister also inaugurated Iran’s first production line of alpha-alumina in Garmeh County during his provincial visit.
The production unit came on stream with an investment of 270 billion rials ($2.16 million) and created 45 direct and 250 indirect jobs.
Alumina, also called aluminum oxide, is a white or nearly colorless crystalline substance that is used as the raw material for the smelting of aluminum metal. It also serves as the raw material for a broad range of advanced ceramic products and as an active agent in chemical processing.
Made from bauxite, a naturally occurring ore containing variable amounts of hydrous (water-containing) aluminum oxides, alumina can be also prepared from kaolin in several phases. It is widely used for its catalytic properties, because of its high chemical inertness, strength and hardness.
Alpha-alumina is the most stable form of alumina employed as a ceramic material. Also known as nano alumina, its area is low, resistant to high temperature and inert, but does not belong to activated alumina, and it has almost no catalytic activity.
The material is used in the production of industrial ceramics, engineering ceramics, refractories, ceramic glaze and catalysts, as well as in oil, gas and petrochemical industries.
