Iran Reports Decline in Aluminum Output for Seven-Month Period

Iran has reported a slight decline in aluminum output during the seven months to late October. According to figures released by the state-run metals and mining company IMIDRO, aluminum ingot production from the country’s four major smelters reached 352,423 metric tons (mt) by October 21, down from 367,091 mt during the same period last year.

The South Aluminum Corporation (SALCO), Iran’s largest aluminum smelter, was responsible for over 144,000 mt of the country’s total production in the April-October period, accounting for nearly 41% of total output. SALCO, which became operational in 2018, was part of the Iranian government’s initiative to boost aluminum production and generate employment opportunities in the southern province of Fars and nearby regions.

Iran’s second-largest smelter, IRALCO, located in the central city of Arak, produced nearly 101,000 mt of aluminum ingots over the same period. Al-Mahdi Aluminum, based in the southern province of Hormozgan, contributed 87,227 mt to the total output, while the relatively smaller Iran Alumina, located in northeast Iran, produced just under 20,000 mt of aluminum.

In addition to aluminum ingot production, IMIDRO also reported on Iran Alumina’s output of raw materials for aluminum production. Iran Alumina produced 138,859 mt of alumina powder, 232,851 mt of aluminum hydroxide, and 459,409 mt of bauxite between April and October. This represents year-on-year increases of 2% for both alumina powder and aluminum hydroxide, and a significant 40% rise in bauxite production compared to the same period in 2023.