In 2018, we began our first foray into the Alumina upstream industry by purchasing a participation stake (with a 50% stake in Japan Alumina Associates) in one of the largest, lowest cost Alumina refinery in the world – Worsley Alumina Refinery (“Worsley”). Located in Western Australia, Perth, Worsley has a refinery capacity of 4.6 million metric tonne capacity per annum and has been operating since 1984. It has its own dedicated bauxite mine situated near the refinery plant with an approved “Life of Operation Plan”, its total ore reserves are scheduled to be depleted by 30 June 2035 (subject to further approval and bauxite reserves exploration).
In 2019, Press Metal further ventured into the Alumina industry by signing and completing a Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) for a subscription of 25% equity interest in another alumina project in development, PT Bintan Alumina Indonesia (“PT BAI”). PT BAI is currently in the midst of constructing a one-million-tonne alumina refinery project together with necessary facilities in Galang Batang, awaiting an expansion for another one million tonnes. The first phase of the project is expected to be operational by the end of 2020, with its second phase commencing operations within 6 months.
Backed by more than 20 years of experience and expertise in the aluminium industry, Press Metal first began its venture into aluminium smelting in 2005 in Hubei, China and subsequently brought back the experience and knowledge to Malaysia – building the first-ever aluminium smelting plant in Mukah, Sarawak. Fast forward to 2020, our plants are equipped with top-of-the-line facilities that produce a range of value-added products such as Ingots, Billets, Wire Rods, and Primary Foundry Alloys.
With the announcement of our Phase 3 smelter expansion in Press Metal Bintulu Sdn Bhd, situated at Samalaju Industrial Park, Bintulu, we have successfully expanded our earmarked smelting capacity to above one million metric tonnes per annum. This places us on par with other leading aluminium producers in the world and furthers our position as the largest integrated aluminium producer in South East Asia. Press Metal Group has two major aluminium smelter plants, the Mukah plant and Samalaju plant.
Press Metal Group is also the largest aluminium extrusion outfit in South East Asia with an extrusion capacity of 210,000 metric tonnes per annum. We have two major extrusion plants, one based in Klang, Malaysia (PMB Klang Sdn Bhd) and the other in Foshan, China (Press Metal International Limited). Our subsidiary in China is one of the largest producer and exporter of aluminium products in the country, with a production capacity of 160,000 tonnes per annum.
We serve the consumer markets through our downstream aluminium extrusion products which are used in the production of automotive, telecommunication, home furnishing, construction industries, and many more. We’ve expanded our overseas operations and carved a firm niche in the global market from our initial base in Malaysia. In addition, Press Metal distribution centres have expanded into North America, the United Kingdom, and Australia to better serve our global customers around the world.
