Iran's primary aluminium production drops slightly in the first nine months of FY 2019

The Iranian Mines and Mining Industries Development and Renovation Organization (IMIDRO) reported that Iran's major aluminium producers' output stood at 249,017 tons during the nine months of FY 2019 or from April 1 to Dec. 21, which registers a 1% drop over the corresponding period of FY 2018.   

Iran, the first aluminium producer in the Middle East has been producing since 1972. The country has 487,000 tonnes of primary capacity and produces about 338,000 tonnes per year on a standard year, IMIDRO report says. Currently, around  20, 000 tonnes per annum capacity is idled partially due to environmental concerns. 

Iran’s flagship aluminium producer Iran Aluminum Company (IRALCO) accounted for 131,345 tons of last year’s reported production, registering a 3% growth year-on-year. The company has an annual production capacity of 180,000 tonnes. Hormozal Aluminum Company, which has a capacity of 147, 000 tonnes contributed 71,132 tonnes, a 10% drop YOY. Almahdi Aluminum Company, which has a capacity of 110,000 tonnes contributed 46,540 tons (up 2% YOY).

"Despite this, by January 2019, the country will add 350,000 tons of new production capacity, so total production capacity will be closer to 800,000 tons, making Iran a net exporter of the metal," Sabbagh said.