Top Alumina Refineries in the World

WHAT IS ALUMINA REFINERY?

Alumina is the common name given to aluminum oxide (Al2O3). Alumina is produced from bauxite, an ore that is mined from topsoil in various tropical and subtropical regions. The Bayer process, discovered in 1887, is the primary process by which alumina is extracted from bauxite. To produce pure aluminum, alumina is smelted using the Hall–Héroult electrolytic process. This process is referred to as primary production & the bauxite to alumina production is called alumina refining.

GEOGRAPHICAL SEGMENTATION

Alumina refining is a capital-intensive process and this is very much concentrated into selective countries and with few companies. There are only 20 countries in the world that has alumina refineries with a total installed annual capacity of over 130,000kt. China is the leading country with more than 65,000kt of installed capacity and over 50% of the total share. Australia and Brazil are the next two countries with in terms of installed capacity and producing more than 20% of total share. North America and Europe don't do much alumina refinery and mostly rely upon importing primary aluminium for domestic consumption.

MAJOR ALUMINA REFINERY PLANTS IN THE WORLD

There are around 75 operational alumina refineries in the world (as on 2020). Hydro Alunorte is the world's largest alumina refinery plant and it is located in Pará, Brazil, in the industrial park of Barcarena. It has a total installed capacity of 6300kt. China has the highest number of active refineries (27) and Chinalco is the company which is having most no of holding share among them. Below are some of the leading alumina refineries across the world

1. NORSK HYDRO ALUNORTE is the world's largest alumina refinery and it's located in Brazil. Since it started in 1995, the refinery has undergone three expansions that increased its production capacity, all of which were implemented without any production downtime. Nominal capacity of the alumina refinery stands at 6300 kt. 86% ownership is with Norsk Hydro and major output of this plant is exported to Europe, Middle East and North America.
2. SOUTH32 WORSLEY ALUMINA REFINERY is one of the oldest ones in the world, situated near Boddington, Australia and started in 1960's. It has a annual capacity of 4600 kt and the output mostly is supplied to smelters around the world, including South 32's Hillside and Mozal aluminium smelters in Africa. This refinery is owned by a joint-venture partnership between South32 (86%), Japan Alumina Associates (Australia) (10%) and Sojitz Alumina (4%).
3. ALCOA PINJARRA ALUMINA REFINERY is world's 3rd biggest refinery with an annual production capacity of 4200 kt. It is owned by Alcoa World Alumina and Chemicals (AWAC), the joint venture between Alumina Limited (40% share) and Alcoa Inc. (60% share). Alcoa's Australian operations represent one of the world's largest integrated bauxite mining, alumina refining and aluminium smelting systems.
4. ZHONGZHOU ALUMINUM in China is the country’s biggest alumina refinery plant. It has an annual production capacity of 3050 kt and it’s 100% owned by Chinalco. Chinalco has total 10 alumina refinery plants across China. Shanxi New Material Alumina, Chalco Mining are some of the other notable refineries in China. Weiqiao refinery, a subsidiary of China Hongqiao Group is another large alumina refinery with 2500kt production capacity.
5. DAMANJODI, ORISSA is India’s largest alumina refinery. This is owned by NALCO and has a production capacity of 2275kt yearly. Significant production output from this plant is exported globally.
6. AL-TAWEELAH ALUMINA REFINERY is the largest alumina refinery in Middle East. It is one of the new age refineries, with latest technology being implemented. It has an annual production capacity of 2000kt and is 100% owned by EGA (Emirates Global Aluminium). Ma’aden is another important alumina refinery in Middle East, with an annual production capacity of 1800kt, jointly owned by Alcoa World Alumina & Chemicals.