Bahrain's Aluminium Bahrain to acquire France's largest EU aluminum smelter for $2.2 billion
Aluminium Bahrain (Alba) is moving forward with plans to purchase France's Aluminium Dunkerque, the EU's largest aluminum smelter, in a deal valued at $2.2 billion. The price has nearly doubled since the deal was first proposed in March, driven by rising aluminum prices following supply disruptions from regional conflicts. The acquisition would significantly reduce Alba's dependence on its home facilities, which were damaged in attacks earlier this year.
Aluminium Bahrain (Alba) is proceeding with its acquisition of Aluminium Dunkerque, France's largest aluminum smelter, currently owned by American Industrial Partners. The deal is valued at approximately $2.2 billion, with French public investment bank Bpifrance acquiring a minority stake alongside Alba. A memorandum of understanding was signed at an investment summit in Paris this week. The valuation has nearly doubled since the deal was first proposed in early March at around $1.2 billion, reflecting a sharp increase in aluminum prices driven by supply disruptions in the Gulf region, including direct damage to Alba's own facilities in March that caused first-quarter sales to decline 17% year-on-year. The acquisition represents a strategic move for Alba to diversify its production capacity beyond its home operations.
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- SemaforCenter
Bahrain presses ahead with plan to buy French aluminum smelter
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