ALBA announced it was able to increase its overall sales on the back of higher production in the first quarter of
the year.

The company said in a statement its sales reached 219,537 tonnes, up 2.2 per cent from 214,891 tonnes in Q1 2012. Production jumped 3 per cent to 227,414 tonnes versus 220,738 tonnes for the same period in 2012.

In addition, it was able to capitalise on the strong demand of value-added products and closed the first quarter with an average of 66 per cent of total shipments versus 65 per cent in 2012 and 62 per cent in Q1 2012.

Commenting on Alba’s sales and production for Q1 2013, Alba’s chief executive Tim Murray said:  “We are pleased with the higher overall figures for sales and production, ahead of the company’s own forecast for the period thanks to a focused marketing strategy and a sustained focus on enhancing productivity.”

The company said it will release its first quarter 2013 financial results and business outlook to the public on May 8, 2013.

Alba has been consistently ranked as one of the largest aluminium smelters in the world, and is known for its technological strength, global competitiveness and innovative policies. It produces more than 890,000 tonnes per annum of aluminium which meet or exceed the industry standard for purity with products including standard and T-ingots, extrusion billets, rolling slab, properzi ingots, and molten aluminium. It has also maintained a strong track record of operational safety and environmental compliance.