Aluminium oxide, popularly known as alumina, is a direct resource of primary aluminium production. With the passage of time, as aluminium demand is rising, a timely need for alumina is being increasingly felt. The potentiality of the alumina market is mammoth, with an estimated growth rate of CAGR 5.89 per cent. Many market studies show that the alumina market size will most likely grow from US$48.22 billion in 2022 to US$72 billion in 2030. To tap this market, many new projects and expansions are underway. This article will explore some of them that started this year.
Iran-China ties to start off alumina production: At the beginning of 2023, a report came from an official that Iran began the research to discover the possibility of producing 500,000 tonnes of alumina annually from low-grade bauxite with Chinese assistance. The initial phase of studies was completed, and they started conducting the second phase of the research work. The objective is to become self-sufficient and reduce dependence on other countries for alumina sourcing. Iran currently secures about 80 per cent of alumina needed in their smelters, which cost them $1 billion a year.
In the first five months of Iranian calendar (March 21-August 22), Iran produced 99,473 tonnes of alumina, up by 1.33 per cent from 98,169 tonnes a year ago, found IMIDRO.
Alpha HPA close to start Stage 1 production: Alpha HPA is close to fully starting up their high purity alumina (HPA) circuit at their Stage 1 precursor production facility in Queensland. They are in the final stages of using a A$15.5-million grant from the Critical Minerals Development Programme, which is being used to set up a small-scale commercial HPA circuit within the Stage 1 project. The HPA circuit will increase PPF production capacity for aluminium nitrate and aluminium sulfate, producing up to 15 tonnes per year of extra HPA, 15 to 25 tonnes per year of HPA trihydrate, and an additional 10 tonnes per year of high purity boehmite. It will also enable nano HPA production for semiconductor users and the creation of HPA tablets for synthetic sapphire glass growth.
Alpha HPA also bagged a grant of up to $2.17 million from Queensland Government for the Stage 2 of the project. The company received another grant worth $45 million through the former federal government’s Modern Manufacturing Initiative.
Tianshan Aluminium’s US$1.6 billion worth alumina refinery: Tianshan Aluminium Group, China’s second-largest aluminium producer by capacity, will reportedly invest US$1.6 billion to build an alumina refinery in the Riau Islands, Indonesia. The company is eyeing the bauxite-rich Asian country with low labour costs to improve their raw materials supply for primary aluminium production. The plant will have an annual capacity of 2 million tonnes. Initially, it will produce 1 million tonnes a year, involving an investment of US$952 million.
GAC & Chalco’s alliance to build a refinery in Guinea: Guinea Alumina Corporation (GAC) and Aluminium Corporation of China (Chalco) have allied to build an alumina refinery in the Republic of Guinea. In March 2023, the two companies signed a Memorandum of Understanding to make use of the combined expertise of both companies in the alumina refining industry.
Rusal begins to construct new alumina refinery: Rusal, the world's second-largest aluminium company by primary aluminium production, announced in June that it started the construction of a modern alumina facility in the Leningrad region. The company would invest around 400 billion rubles to construct four technological lines for alumina production and develop fort infrastructure in Ust-Luga. The project will be developed in two phases. Phase one will have a capacity of up to 2.4 million tonnes per year and is expected to be commissioned by 2028-end. The second phase will also have a similar capacity, with an estimated completion time of 2032. Once the project comes into operation, it is expected to create up to 7,500 new jobs in the region.
Hindalco’s ambitious 2 MTPA alumina refinery project: Hindalco Industries is all set to establish a 2 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) alumina refinery in the Rayagada district of Odisha. The company has entered into a long-term Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC) to source bauxite for the project.
This upcoming project will be Hindalco’s second refinery in the Rayagada district, aspiring to change Odisha’s industrial landscape.
AEM expanding high-purity alumina production: Advanced Energy Minerals has started expanding its high-purity alumina refinery in Cap-Chat, Quebec. On 12 October 2023, the company's leaders and workers began the project with a special event. The project will help AEM make more valuable aluminium products like high-purity alumina, leveraging advanced technology and equipment. The refinery will take its shape in the next two years.
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