Q1-Q3 Aluminum Output Rises by 66 Percent to Over 325K Tons

According to the latest data released by the Iranian Mines and Mining Industries Development and Renovation Organization (IMIDRO), flagship producer Iran Aluminum Company (IRALCO) accounted for the highest portion of total output with 140,640 tons, unchanged compared with the same period of last year.

IRALCO is the top producer of aluminum in Iran. Inaugurated in 1972, the plant has an annual production capacity of 180,000 tons.

It was followed by Almahdi Aluminum Company with 119,688 tons, up 106% YOY, South Aluminum Company (SALCO) with 47,077 tons and Iran Alumina Company with 17,817 tons.

The overall output during the month to Dec. 20 amounted to 38,774 tons, indicating a 55% rise YOY.

Iran Alumina Company produced 177,239 tons of alumina powder during the nine-month period, up 3% compared with the similar period of last year. The company's output amounted to 18,324 tons during the month to Dec. 20, down 2% year-on-year. 

Iranian aluminum producers had a total output of 275,716 tons of aluminum ingots during the last Iranian year that ended on March 19, 2020, to register an 8% decrease compared with the year before.

IRICA’s Aluminum Data

Latest data show Iran exported 61,147 tons of aluminum worth $101 million in the seven months to Oct. 21.

According to data released by the Islamic Republic of Iran Customs Administration, the figures indicate an 84% and 56% rise in terms of tonnage and value respectively in comparison with the corresponding period of last year, Mehr News Agency reported.

The IRICA data illustrate that the country imported 102,091 tons of aluminum products worth $154 million during the same period, registering a 102% and 11% rise in volume and value respectively year-on-year.

Iran’s total mineral exports reached 21.17 million tons worth $3.49 billion during the period, which constitute 16.7% of the country’s total non-oil exports.

According to Shahriar Taherpour, a former managing director of IMIDRO, Iran’s per capita aluminum consumption has been around 4.5 kilograms over the past 10 years against the global 9 kilograms.

The US and Canada are the biggest aluminum consumers in the world, with per capita rates of 23 and 27 kilograms respectively.

The Iranian 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 global rates are issues facing producers.

Future Plans

Plans are underway to connect aluminum production units to railroads and explore new bauxite mines to reduce costs.

Iran’s aluminum production capacity is projected to reach 1.3 million tons per year, once several ongoing projects become operational.

Plans are underway to connect aluminum production units to railroads and explore new bauxite mines to reduce costs.

South Aluminum Corporation, located in the city of Lamerd, Fars Province, was inaugurated in April 2020.

According to former industries minister, Reza Rahmani, the project will boost Iran’s aluminum production capacity to 785,000 tons per year, once all its development phases come on stream. 

“The factory has come with a price tag of more than $1.2 billion,” he had said at the inaugural ceremony.

"Cutting-edge technology has been incorporated into the project and the development of the project is in line with environmental concerns." 

Once fully operational, SALCO will create a total of 6,500 direct and indirect jobs, Fars News Agency reported.

The company’s shares are owned by two companies: Ghadir Investment Company owns 51% and IMIDRO owns the rest.

The factory is set to produce a range of aluminum products, including sheets, profiles, ingots, doors, windows, composites, nuts and bolts.

SALCO will start the production of 100,000 tons of aluminum ingots per year. Its production capacity is expected to reach 300,000 tons per year in a subsequent phase. The final production capacity is to reach 1 million tons of aluminum ingots and billets per year.

SALCO is looking to become Iran’s biggest aluminum producer and the fourth major producer in the Middle East.

The combined nominal capacity of IRALCO located in Arak (Markazi Province), Almahdi Aluminum Company located in Bandar Abbas (Hormozgan Province), Hormozal Aluminum Company 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.