Accident at China’s Huaxing alumina refinery removes 50-80kt of supply; market unmoved so far

摘要

Huaxing alumina refinery, in Shanxi province of northern China, has closed one alumina production line following an equipment accident, several sources told Fastmarkets on Monday June 29. It could take 20-30 days to return the production line to full operation, removing around 50,000-80,000 tonnes of alumina supply from the Chinese domestic market over the period, according to market estimates. Huaxing alumina refinery, co-funded by Aluminum Corp of China (Chalco) and China Resources (Holdings) Co in 2010, has full production capacity of 2.2 million tonnes per year alumina. It had been operating at 1 million tpy until the beginning of June, when it resumed its idled 1.2 million tpy to bring it to full capacity. Huaxing alumina refinery could not be reached for comment on June 29.