World leading bauxite shipper Winning International Group was not on the International Aluminium Institute’s (IAI) updated list released earlier this week, and reasons for their departure are far from clear.
“Winning are no longer members of the IAI,” confirmed the organization’s London office. Winning is also gone from the site’s member list.
Winning follows compatriot aluminium firm China Hongqiao Group off the organization’s list. China Hongqiao departed the IAI last summer, dropping it from counting over 60 percent of aluminium output as members.
Winning did not respond to queries from media outlets over the departure. Both Winning and Hongqiao are partners in a bauxite project in Guinea, and Winning has a longstanding relationship with Hongqiao and its bauxite shipments around the world.
With Winning a now-former member, IAI’s total membership drops to 25. Among those still with the organization are Alcoa, Chinalco, Norsk Hydro, Rio Tinto Group, and UC Rusal.