Bahrain's Alba producing aluminium at 80% of pre-Iran War levels
2026-09-17 11:04:28 [Print]
Aluminium Bahrain (Alba) is producing aluminium at around 80% of pre-Iran war levels, CEO Ali Al Baqali told Reuters on Wednesday, with the metal exported through the Saudi Red Sea port of Jeddah and from Sohar in Oman.
Alba, which describes itself as the world's largest single-site aluminium smelter, shut down production lines 1, 2 and 3 after the war broke out, as the closure of the Strait of Hormuz disrupted supply chains.
Al Baqali said Alba is now running lines 4, 5 and 6 at its smelter, equivalent to 1.3 million metric tons per year of production. Its capacity before the Iran war was around 1.6 million tons per year.
He said overall capacity will return to 1.6 million tons once Alba completes its acquisition of the 300,000-ton-per-year French smelter Aluminium Dunkerque in the next few months.
Al Baqali added that Alba could still restart lines 1, 2 and 3-which accounted for 19% of its pre-war capacity-provided it can secure enough alumina, its key raw material, and gas, and if the Strait of Hormuz reopens.
To sustain production, Alba is bringing in 300 to 350 trucks carrying alumina every day, he said.
Alba, which describes itself as the world's largest single-site aluminium smelter, shut down production lines 1, 2 and 3 after the war broke out, as the closure of the Strait of Hormuz disrupted supply chains.
Al Baqali said Alba is now running lines 4, 5 and 6 at its smelter, equivalent to 1.3 million metric tons per year of production. Its capacity before the Iran war was around 1.6 million tons per year.
He said overall capacity will return to 1.6 million tons once Alba completes its acquisition of the 300,000-ton-per-year French smelter Aluminium Dunkerque in the next few months.
Al Baqali added that Alba could still restart lines 1, 2 and 3-which accounted for 19% of its pre-war capacity-provided it can secure enough alumina, its key raw material, and gas, and if the Strait of Hormuz reopens.
To sustain production, Alba is bringing in 300 to 350 trucks carrying alumina every day, he said.
Alumina 98.5%min EXW Guizhou
Unit:RMB/mt
China alumina producers' inventory statistics by province by month
Unit: mt
