17,000 Tons of Alumina Exported in H1

Iran Alumina Company exported 17,000 tons of alumina powder to Central Asian countries in the first six months of the current Iranian year (March 21-Sept. 22), announced the governor of Jajarm City where the plant is located.

Ali Akbar Mohebbi added that local alumina users’ payment delays prompted the state-owned alumina company to move away from local market toward exports.

“Almahdi and Hormozal aluminum companies are some of the oldest clients of Iran Alumina Company, but their inability to clear their debts has created liquidity issues for the alumina plant,” Mohebbi was quoted as saying by IRNA.

Established in 1996, Iran Alumina Company is located 150 kilometers south of Bojnord City, the capital of North Khorasan Province.

Iran exported about 358,000 tons of aluminum worth $228.16 million in H1, up 95% and 44% respectively year-on-year.

Earlier, Amir Sabbagh, the planning manager of state-owned mining holding company IMIDRO, told S&P Global Platts that Iran plans to add 336,000 tons of primary aluminum smelting capacity in 2018.

The country has a current aluminum nameplate capacity of 457,000 tons/year, of which about 437,000 tons/year are operational.

Iran has an agreement to import 4 million tons/year of bauxite from Guinea until 2040.