Due to the noticeable use of aluminum in various industries, it is crucial to maintain its up-to-standard quality. Therefore, it is essential, especially for major producers, to have access to the latest technologies.
Iran is ranked 12th in the world when it comes to aluminum production. The official statistics of the Ministry of Industry, Mine, and Trade show a 52.5% increase in aluminum ingot production during a year from 2019 to 2020.
Thanks to dominant companies, Iran’s aluminum ingot production capacity has grown to more than 750 thousand tonnes per year, which is a significant amount. In this essay, prominent Iranian aluminum producers (Almahdi, IRALCO, Iran Alumina, and Salco) will be introduced and investigated in detail. Stay with us to know how to buy aluminum from Iran.
Almahdi aluminum company
It was founded in 1990 as a private joint stock company with a $1 billion investment, and it is one of the oldest aluminum manufacturers in Iran. This company is located in 18 kilometers west of Bandar Abbas in the metal industry special zone.
Their initial objective was to produce 110 thousand tonnes of aluminum annually by means of local resources, Iranian experts, and collaboration with international producers. In addition, achieving a total production of 330 thousand tonnes annually was the long-term goal, which would be accomplished through three phases.
The project is divided into three steps. In 1997, it was given 6 pots and the company was converted to a public joint stock company. Then, due to the rise in pots number to 120 (in 2002) and 246 (in 2005) they could produce 55 and 110 thousand tonnes of aluminum per year, respectively, and make their goals happened.
The executive operation of Hormozal company began in phase 2 in 2006. The company’s initial investment was 400 million euros with the aim of adding 228 pots. This phase was completed in 40 months.
Phase 2 currently has 170 active pots, and it has a production capacity of 180 thousand tonnes for the upcoming year. By the end of next year, it will have a nominal capacity of 253 thousand tonnes.
Almahdi Company is the top producer of aluminum ingots with an annual production of 230 thousand tonnes. Sows and ingots are the two main groups of its products. These products have some characteristics, such as being free from sharp edges and non-aluminum mass, scale-free, crater-free, and without an iron wedge.
Iranian aluminum company (IRALCO)
The proposal for company establishment was approved by the government in 1967. After that, it was constructed by Reynolds construction and equipment company in 1969. Then, its production capacity reached 45 thousand tonnes through two product lines in 1972.
Finally, after the Iran revolution, three product lines were added to the company to reach a production of 120 thousand tonnes each year. According to statistical data, IRALCO produced 185 thousand tonnes of aluminum ingots from 2021 to 2022.
IRALCO is the primary producer of aluminum ingots in the Middle East. This company is located in Arak, and some people claim that it is the largest aluminum company because its plants cover 232 hectares.
IRALCO’s products are manufactured in accordance with international standards and their purity exceeds 99.7%. The annual production capacity is around 190 thousand tonnes, which includes pure ingots in the shape of T-bar, casting alloys, plates, and slabs. The procedure involves fluxing, skimming, degassing, filtration, and grain sizing.
Iran alumina company
Due to its location in Jajram, Iran Alumina is also known as Jajram Alumina. It became a sub-category company of the social security organization in 2012. Iran Alumina is the leading manufacturer of alumina powder in Iran, and it is also the sole producer of high-purity alumina powder in the country. The product range includes unalloyed aluminum (high and low grade), alpha alumina powder, aluminum hydroxide powder, and metallurgical alumina.
In the first quarter of 2022, alumina powder production in Iran alumina was 62291 tonnes, which shows a 11% growth in comparison to last year. Additionally, the production of bauxite is approximately 150 thousand tonnes.
Salco company
This complex is also known as South Aluminum Industry Complex Company and it is located on the Lamerd-Khanj road in the Lamerd Special Economic Zone. The goal of this complex was to become the best aluminum manufacturer in the Middle East.
So, the port and wharf which are accessible to it, making it possible to transport huge aluminum shipments. The primary segments of the company are the energy section, reduction unit, anodizing workshop, and casting department.
It is one of the most advanced companies in the world with a 94% efficiency rate. Salco’s products, such as aluminum ingots, billets, and slabs, are produced using alumina powder, bitumen, and calcined coke.
Aluminum ingots have been utilized in various industries, including re-melting, transportation, packaging, construction, glass, casting, home appliances, and electrical lines. Aluminum slabs are more common in rolling industries and aluminum billets are commonly utilized in the aluminum extrusion industry.
The main goal of this company’s establishment was to export one million tonnes annually. Nowadays, its production is around 300 thousand tonnes. The first stage of this project was carried out on a complex of around 90 hectares. Packaging, automobile, construction, cable, and aerospace are just some of the industries where its products are applicable.
Conclusion
Fortunately, aluminum manufacturers in Iran are producing their products with high quality and affordable prices simultaneously, which have been able to meet the demand of the domestic market and have been successful in the field of export as well.
The latest statistics indicate that Iran produces and consumes 355 and 429 thousand tonnes of aluminum annually. Apart from that, Iran is a major importer with 252 thousand tonnes per year and aluminum consumption has been on an upward trend (9% growth per year) since 2004.
Regarding this trend, it is estimated that aluminum consumption will reach 655 thousand tonnes in five years. The Iran government plans to produce 1.5 million tonnes of aluminium ingots by 2026.
According to Iran’s mines and mineral industries development and modernization organization (IMIDRO) data, during three month of 2022, aluminum ingots production was 171691 tonnes, and Salco, IRALCO, Almahdi and Iran alumina were responsible for 74100, 47319, 40724, 9548 tonnes of that respectively.