Iranian aluminium producers teamed up to produce over 101 thousand metric tons of primary aluminium in the three months ending on June 20, good for an increase of almost two-thirds on the year.
For the last month of the quarter Iran’s output of aluminium came to 36,025 metric tons, up by 73 percent on the year, while during the quarter the country’s smelters put out 101,195 metric tons of primary aluminium. For the year ending on March 19, the country’s aluminium producers smelted 275,716 metric tons, off by 8 percent from the prior 12-month period.
Though declining in the previous year, Iranian officials project a rise for the year ending next March of 63 percent. Officials say much of the rise will be spearheaded by the Iranian Aluminum Company’s (IRALCO) plant, which turned in a four-percent production increase through the prior quarter.
Aiding in the expected increase will be the soon-completed aluminium complex in Fars province. The plant, which will become Iran’s biggest aluminium complex to date, is expected to double the country’s total aluminium production upon commissioning and start-up.
All in, the country’s aluminium sector is a strong exporter of the product, due in large part to access to raw minerals. In comments to the press earlier this year, Iran’s mining minister said the sector is worth around US$22 billion.
“The country’s capacities in the sector, saying that Iran is ranked 18th among the world’s top aluminum producers, and with this new plant going operational the country will climb four places to stand at 14th place.”
Ultimately Iran hopes to achieve an annual aluminium ingot production of 1.5 million metric tons by the spring of 2025, reported local media.