Aughinish Alumina seeks support as EU reviews Russia-bound alumina exports

Aughinish Alumina has stepped up its engagement with Irish government representatives and officials as the European Commission considers further measures that could affect alumina exports from its Co Limerick facility to Russia.

The increased engagement comes ahead of the next round of EU measures, with some member states expected to seek restrictions on Irish alumina exports to Russia. The European Commission is aiming to implement the measures before winter.

Aughinish’s exports have come under increased attention following reports of shipments from the plant to Russian smelters. The resulting aluminium is sold to a company that supplies more than 100 Russian manufacturing companies, according to various industry sources.

The latest trade data underlines the scale of the shipments. A total of 422,474 tonnes of alumina, valued at EUR 119.5 million, was shipped from the Co Limerick facility to Russia this year, averaging 70,412 tonnes a month, according to Irish Times.

Aughinish steps up discussions ahead of EU review

Filings with the State’s Lobbying Register show that Aughinish management contacted 20 officials and government representatives between May and August, according to The Irish Times.

Those contacted included Taoiseach Micheál Martin, Tánaiste Simon Harris, Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers, Minister for Enterprise Peter Burke and Minister for Foreign Affairs Helen McEntee.

The company also contacted Niall Collins, Minister of State in the Department of Justice and a vocal supporter of the plant, Minister of State in the Department of Transport Seán Canney and Kerry TD Michael Healy-Rae.

Aughinish also engaged with nine of Ireland’s 14 MEPs. These included Fine Gael’s Seán Kelly, Nina Carberry, Regina Doherty and Maria Walsh; Fianna Fáil’s Cynthia Ní Mhurchú, Billy Kelleher and Barry Cowen; Sinn Féin’s Kathleen Funchion; and Independent Michael McNamara.

The company further contacted Deirdre Gillane, the Taoiseach’s chief of staff, and Department of Transport secretary general Declan Hughes.

The engagement involved up to 31 letters, phone calls, meetings and “informal communications”. According to the register, the purpose was to “provide an update on EU Critical Raw Material and risks to ongoing employment at Aughinish”.

The level of engagement was the highest recorded since 2022.

To know the futuristic market and value proposition of red mud, explore the report "A Comprehensive Analysis of Bauxite Residue (Red Mud): Sustainability, Resource Recovery and Strategic Recommendations"

Employment and supply chain impact highlighted

The discussions also focused on the importance of the Aughinish facility to employment and the wider business network.

Aughinish also highlighted its view that measures affecting the plant would have a limited effect on Russia’s ability to source alumina, while having a substantial impact on alumina exports to the European Union.

The engagement coincided with the preparation of an investigative report by the Department of Enterprise into alumina exports to Russia.

The department concluded that there was not enough evidence to determine whether Irish alumina was being used in Russian manufacturing for military purposes. However, it said it was unable to obtain evidence from within Russia.

The latest developments come as discussions on the next round of EU measures are due to begin shortly.

Explore buying & selling leads of alumina and trade opportunities on AL Biz