FX.co ★ Aluminum Set to Jump as Iran Hit Middle East Producers

Aluminum futures in the UK are set to surge on Monday after two major production sites in the Middle East were struck by Iranian attacks, intensifying concerns over prolonged supply disruptions. Emirates Global Aluminium, the region’s largest producer, reported “significant damage” at its Abu Dhabi facility, while Aluminium Bahrain said it is still assessing the extent of the damage to its plant. Earlier this month, Alba had already taken 19% of its 1.6-million-tonne-per-year capacity offline due to shipping disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. With the Middle East accounting for around 9% of global aluminum supply, these incidents significantly increase the risk of a sharper supply squeeze, even if maritime traffic through the Strait eventually stabilizes. Adding to the uncertainty, Guinea, the world’s largest bauxite supplier, is considering the introduction of export quotas, a move that could further tighten the availability of raw materials for smelters worldwide.