Aluminij

The history of Aluminij began in the first years of the 20th century, with the discovery of bauxite ore deposits in Herzegovina and the subsequent exploitation of the resource. After the end of World War II in 1945, a new company was created, Bauxite Mines Mostar, with the goal of exploring, exploiting and transporting bauxite commercially. It was this first company that carried out the initial construction studies for aluminium smelters were conducted, the birth of the aluminium industry that was to come. In 1969, the bauxite Mines Mostar Company merged with Energoinvest Sarajevo to form a new organisation focused on aluminium production.[4]

The Government of the Socialist Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina tasked the group with maximizing the potential of the resources in the region and develops a new facility that could turn Mostar into a global aluminium producer. This was achieved by 1975, as regular aluminium production began in the new Alumina Factory. This successful development was based on cooperation between Energoinvest and the French company Pechiney. Aluminij was established in 1975 in Mostar. It soon emerged as one of the largest aluminium manufacturing companies in former Yugoslavia.[5]

Company's facilities were largely destroyed during the 1992–1995 war in Bosnia and Herzegovina and were later rebuilt.[6]

By the end of June 2002, an extensive modernization project for Aluminij Factory had been completed. At a cost of 250 million Euros it brought new technologies and introduced production upgrades that increased output, efficiency and quality, this allowed Aluminij Factory to remain competitive on the world stage, matching the global leading producers for quality.

In 2007, the Government of Bosnia and Herzegovina aimed to privatise Aluminij. Among the companies who placed a bid were; Alcoa, Alcan Inc., Rusal, Norsk Hydro and Swiss-based metals trader Glencore International. The Government of Bosnia and Herzegovina blocked the sell off and decided to annul the tender.[7][8]

As of 2007, the company was owned 44% by the government, 44% by workers and former workers and 12% by the Croatian Privatization Fund.[9] The government's and workers' shares are to be sold to international investors.[10]

In the midnight of 9 July 2019, Aluminij was switched off from power supply.[11] The power cut was previously postponed several times because of Aluminij's negotiations with potential investors.

Mostar area alone receives an income of 40 million euros annually from Aluminij. That kind of development trend enabled investments in cultural institutions, among which are: the construction of the little scene of the Croatian National Theatre in Mostar and Aluminij Gallery.[12] (one of the most important for the city of Mostar and wider region).

In 2020, M.T. Abraham Group took over the ownership on the factory, via a 30 years lease agreement with the Government of Bosnia and Herzegovina.[13]

The partners with which the Aluminij does business are renowned global companies, from which the most important are: Venture Coke Company L.L.C. (Venco-Conoco joint Venture) from the US, Glencore International AG from Switzerland, Debis International trading GmbH, Daimler-Chrysler, Norsk Hydro ASA from Norway, Fiat from Italy, TLM-Šibenik from Croatia, China Machinery Engineering Corporation, and China Nonferrous Metal Industry's Foreign Engineering And Construction Co., Ltd.[14]

In 2017, Aluminij had revenue of 249.41 million euros and exported goods worth 171.01 million euros.[3]

• List of companies of Bosnia and Herzegovina

• Aluminij Industries
• M.T. Abraham Group