The largest alumina producer in Europe is reported to supply the aluminium smelting raw material to the defence industry of Russia. The shipment is said to have started from Ireland's Aughinish plant and is subject to the US and EU sanctions.

In the production of military equipment, the need for strong and corrosion-resistant aluminium is vital. Keeping the urgent need in mind, the European Commission, for building up alumina stocks, deemed crucial for the defence sector, has called on the member states.

Patrick O’Donovan, the representative for the Limerick constituency in the parliament, claimed, “It supplies Europe with up to 30 per cent of the alumina needed for the continent’s construction, aviation and automotive industries… and is in no way connected to the Russian military machine.”

Back in February 2025, the EU created a permanent ban on alumina exports from Russia so that it cannot be used for financing conflicts. However, the same is not applicable for the opposite direction.

Also read: Russia pitches nuclear power and aluminium investment to West Kalimantan, Indonesia

Ireland exported a total of USD 243 million worth of alumina to Russia in 2022, according to data from the Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC). This figure is set to soar by 55 per cent, reaching USD 376 million by 2024. Aughinish stands out as Ireland’s only alumina producer and, as highlighted in a 2021 report by KPMG, holds the title of the largest producer of this essential raw material for aluminium manufacturing in Europe.

Processing of bauxite into alumina at the plant is done in Guinea and exports primarily to Russia. However, the plants in Russia hold only 50 per cent of the exports made to the Irish plants. Ireland's shipment of alumina to plants in Krasnoyarsk and Sayanogorsk in 2024 is said to be higher than USD 400 million.

Upon investigating, it has been seen that the shipments for the military enterprises go via the Aluminium Sales Company (ASK). This company is said to be supplying aluminium for its clients, which includes dozens of EU-sanctioned Russian weapons manufacturers. Nonetheless, ASK sells aluminium to more than 100 companies that are into manufacturing weapons and military equipment.

Must read: Key industry individuals share their thoughts on the trending topics

Aughinish Alumina exports to Russia have increased since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine and these exports align with EU trade regulations. This is because there are no export restrictions on alumina to Russia, even though the EU recognises the strategic significance of this material.

A spokesperson from the Aughinish plant shared that the firm is fully compliant with EU regulations and has put in place a sanctions framework, along with thorough checks across its supply chain.

However, the spokesperson did not address whether the plant’s products might be used in Russian weaponry. In a separate statement to the media, the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade clarified that alumina is not a sanctioned good, so its export to other countries, including Russia, is still allowed.

Trading aluminium across borders? Find out the exact cost you need to bear for the embedded carbon in the product by using this CBAM calculator.