Traders in China Strike Rare Deal With Russia’s Rusal on Alumina
- At least two shipments of the raw material on way to Siberia
- Russia’s top aluminum maker needs to plug widening supply gap
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United Co. Rusal International PJSC, the huge aluminum producer fighting blow-back from Russia’s war in Ukraine, is getting some help from traders in China to keep its smelters running.
Some 30,000 tons of alumina -- used to make aluminum metal -- have been loaded onto two vessels headed for Siberia after leaving China in recent weeks, according to traders familiar with the matter. The relatively small amount is to test whether the cargoes face any logistics issues or problems with sanctions, with more ready to ship if all goes well, said the traders, who asked not to be named because the matter is private.