Azerbaijan plans to increase their aluminium production from 2015

Azerbaijan has plans of increasing their total aluminium production from 2015, taking it to around 100,000 tonnes in 2016 after the capacity expansion of a state-owned plant, the head of this plant said.

Aluminium production in Azerbaijan was around 54,000 tonnes in 2013, 98% of it had been exported, Jamil Safarov told Reuters. He also added that Iran, China, and Turkey were the main importers of aluminium from Azerbaijan.

Det Al Aluminium has managed the aluminium plant in Gyanja town since 2009.

"Construction works aimed at expansion of the plant are expected to be started in March and to be completed by mid 2015," Safarov said.

"It will allow (us) to increase production next year and to double it from this year's level to 100,000 tonnes."

Safarov said the company was unaffected by low aluminium prices in world markets as the plant was planning to even produce aluminium coil and semi -finished products from the metal, that were still in demand on the market.

The price of aluminium that is used in construction, aerospace and automotive sectors has almost halved since the year 2008 due to a huge global surplus of aluminium, forcing the loss-making firms to cut down capacity and make savings.

"We have a good advantage in comparison with other producers as we plan to start production of half-stuff products from aluminium. These products have a good demand of the world markets," Safarov said.