Alunorte restores alumina production following temporary access to gas supply
Alunorte has begun restoring alumina production following an agreement with gas supplier CELBA that provides temporary access to a gas terminal.
The development comes after Brazil’s oil, natural gas and biofuels regulator, ANP, approved Alunorte’s request to act as a self-importer of natural gas. The authorization has enabled the refinery to secure greater flexibility in managing its gas supply while work continues on a permanent solution.
Alunorte had previously cut alumina output as a precaution after CELBA reported disruptions to natural gas availability. The temporary reduction was intended to manage the impact of the supply constraints on refinery operations.
With temporary terminal access now secured through the agreement with CELBA, Alunorte is progressively increasing production and working toward returning the refinery to full capacity.
Hydro, which operates Alunorte, estimates that the production curtailment resulted in a loss of approximately 100,000 to 120,000 tonnes of alumina.
The disruption is also expected to affect the company’s financial performance. Hydro estimates that the combined impact of reduced production and the need to purchase natural gas at prices above those stipulated in its contract could reduce the Bauxite & Alumina business’s third-quarter 2026 financial results by approximately $75 million to $100 million.
The temporary arrangement gives Alunorte time to restore output while it continues discussions with CELBA on a longer-term solution for securing reliable natural gas supplies.
