Iran's Aluminum Ingot Output Down 17%
EghtesadOnline: Iranian aluminum producers had an aggregate output of 221,223 tons of aluminum ingots during the first 10 months of the current Iranian year (March 21, 2019-Jan. 20), which indicates a 17% decrease compared with last year's corresponding period, the Iranian Mines and Mining Industries Development and Renovation Organization's latest report shows.
Flagship producer Iran Aluminum Company (IRALCO) accounted for 146,939 tons of the total output, posting a 1% growth year-on-year, according to Financial Tribune.
It was followed by Hormozal Aluminum Company with 34,396 tons, down 53% YOY; Almahdi Aluminum Company with 33,044 tons, down 32% YOY; and Iran Alumina Company with 6,844 tons.
Aluminum production during the month to Jan. 20 stood at 24,893 tons to witness a rise of 38% YOY.
Iran Alumina Company produced 193,345 tons of alumina powder during nine months, showing a 1% decline YOY.
Alumina powder output during the month to Jan. 20 amounted to 21,258 tons, up by 3% YOY.
The combined nominal capacity of Iran's aluminum producers, namely IRALCO located in Arak (Markazi Province), Almahdi located in Bandar Abbas (Hormozgan Province), Hormozal also in Bandar Abbas, and Jajarm Aluminum Complex located in Jajarm County (North Khorasan Province), stands at 468,000 tons per year.
IRALCO accounts for 175,000 tons of the total followed by Hormozal with 143,000 tons, Almahdi with 110,000 tons and Jajarm with 40,000 tons.
Iran produced around 300,000 tons of aluminum in the last fiscal year (March 2018-19).
Jajarm Aluminum Complex became operational in July 2019 with an investment of $150 million, creating 400 direct and 1,600 indirect jobs.
According to Minister of Industries, Mining and Trade Reza Rahmani, Jajarm Aluminum Complex fulfills 30% of Iran’s domestic demand.
Currently, per capita aluminum consumption in the world is about 9 kilograms.
The US and Canada are the biggest aluminum consumers in the world at present with a per capita consumption of 23 and 27 kilograms respectively.
Iran’s aluminum industry’s biggest challenge currently revolves around supplying raw materials, including alumina and petroleum coke. Not having access to raw materials due to sanctions and also having to purchase them at prices much higher than the global rates are issues facing producers.
Connecting aluminum production units to railroads and exploring new bauxite mines in the country can help reduce costs in this industry.
The Iranian Mines & Mining Industries Development & Renovation and Khatam al-Anbiya Construction Headquarters signed an agreement recently to establish an alumina production unit with a capacity of 70,000 tons in Sarab County, East Azarbaijan Province.
According to IMIDRO Chairman Khodadad Gharibpour, the organization will invest €137 million in the project, ILNA reported.