Aluminium Bahrain says Q2 production rises 3.1%

Aluminium Bahrain said on Monday its second-quarter output rose 3.1 per cent despite challenging market conditions.

The company, which owns one of the largest smelters of the lightweight metal, said second-quarter production stood at 238,904 tonnes against 231,713 tonnes in the same 2014 period.

Alba’s sales increased by 2,383 tonnes over the second quarter of 2014 reaching 232,193 tonnes, it said in a statement.

Increased output from China has pressured global aluminium prices, forcing major producers including United Company Rusal and Alcoa to idle capacity in an attempt to provide support in the face of a supply glut.

In June, Alba won government approval for a planned $3.5bn expansion that will boost its output by more than 50 per cent.

The company will release its full results on July 29.