Vietnam's first aluminum ingots roll off production line after 11 years

The Lam Dong administration and Tran Hong Quan Metallurgy Co., Ltd. held a ceremony on Sunday to announce Vietnam’s first aluminum ingots.

The aluminum ingots were produced at the Dak Nong aluminum electrolysis plant, which is Vietnam's first pilot project to produce aluminum.

The production of the first aluminum ingots marks the final link in Vietnam's bauxite-alumina-aluminum industrial chain.

In its first phase, the plant has an annual production capacity of 150,000 metric tons. The investment is expected to be completed by 2027, bringing the plant to its designed capacity of 450,000 metric tons per year.

The project is expected to reduce Vietnam's reliance on imports and improve the domestic supply of raw materials for mechanical engineering and manufacturing, electronics and electrical industries, transportation, energy, defense and high-tech industries.

It will also provide a stable domestic outlet for alumina and help drive the development of a downstream aluminum industrial ecosystem in the Central Highlands.

New momentum for Vietnam's metallurgical industry

Speaking at the ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense Phan Van Giang said the production of the first aluminum ingots was a particularly significant event, marking a historic milestone in Vietnam's mastery of aluminum electrolysis technology for domestic aluminum production.

The project will provide fresh momentum for Vietnam's metallurgical industry as the country develops its processing and manufacturing sectors, gradually strengthens self-reliance and improves its competitive position, he said.

Vietnam has about 5.8 billion metric tons of bauxite reserves, concentrated mainly in the Central Highlands, Deputy PM Giang said.

Over the past few years, the Party and state have pursued the goal of developing a complete value chain covering bauxite mining, alumina production, aluminum electrolysis and the deep processing of high-value aluminum products, while protecting natural resources and the environment.

As Vietnam enters a new phase of development and targets rapid, high and sustainable growth, securing a domestic supply of aluminum is particularly important, he said.

"The development of the aluminum industry will create a stable source of inputs for rolling, drawing, casting, extrusion, alloy production and aluminum product manufacturing, thereby forming an industrial ecosystem with greater scale and economic value," Deputy PM Giang said.

He called on relevant ministries and agencies to continue reviewing and improving policies to develop the aluminum industry in a synchronized and modern direction.

Y Thanh Ha Nie Kdam, secretary of the Lam Dong Party Committee, said the production of the first aluminum ingots was significant not only from a manufacturing perspective but also because it opened opportunities to establish a new industrial value chain.

Lam Dong Province and the Central Highlands as a whole will have opportunities to attract supporting industries, including mechanical engineering and manufacturing, new materials, electronic components, transportation and renewable energy, he said.