Aluminium consumption by Iran’s consumers rose by 12 percent last year, besting the global average for aluminium growth. So said Iran’s Deputy Minister of Industry, Mine and Trade Mehdi Karbasian earlier this week.
Speaking at the signing ceremony for a Memorandum of Understanding for the purchase of a parcel in Parsian Energy Intensive Industrial Special Economic Zone (PEISEZ) upon which a 800 thousand metric tons per annum alumina refinery and 160 thousand metric tons per annum aluminium rolling plant will be built, Karbasian said that the completion of these projects will propel his country into the twelfth position worldwide for aluminium ingot production.
“The aforementioned two projects can complete aluminum supply chain for export which can bring about high-added value for the country,” said Karbasian at the event on Tuesday.
Karbasian, who is also the CEO of Iranian Mines and Mining Industries Development and Renovation Organization (IMIDRO), continued by noting the state’s role in encouraging private enterprise in the projects.
“According to the Article 44 of the Constitution, government is obliged to support private sector for investing in production sector, so that the two giant projects will be funded by the private sector.”
As for the 160 thousand metric tons per annum aluminium rolling plant, Karbasian revealed that the plant is slated to come online by next spring.
“This giant project will become operational by the year end (to end March 20, 2019),” he explained. “In this case, Iran’s ranking in aluminum production will hit from 18th to 12th in the world, showing a considerable growth.”
Iran’s present aluminium capacity is estimated to be 457 thousand metric tons per annum, though around 20 thousand metric tons per annum is idled at the moment due, in part, to environmental concerns. The country’s sole alumina refinery is owned by Iralco and is located in Jajarm, North Khorasan Province, and has a nameplate capacity of 250 thousand metric tons per annum.