It’s time to close the loophole
Close the EU alumina sanctions loophole
Irish alumina exports continue to ship to russia circumventing EU sanctions and feeding Russia’s war machine
A FOREWORD
This website was originally developed to enable people to write informed emails or letters to a European Members of Parliament to raise the issue of alumina exports to Russia from the Aughinish Alumina Plant. The campaign started as ‘grassroots’ and it very quickly gathered momentum to what it is today – a global movement that is now being raised by the right people. Naturally with the campaign’s evolution, the website had to shift focus and is now a resource for politicians, decision makers and press whilst keeping as much of it’s original identity as possible.
WHY THIS MATTERS
Sanction loophole is arming Russia
Irish made alumina from the Aughinish refinery is flowing straight to Russian smelters, then into aluminium for sanctioned Russian missiles, drones, and weapons. The EU must ban the material feeding Russia’s war machine.
Outdated policy
Dozens of MEPs are calling for action. Australia banned it in 2022. Europe claims to back Ukraine but lets this €400M+ trade continue. Adding alumina to the 21st sanctions package ends this double standard and will save countless lives in Ukraine.
Jobs protected, Putin starved
The Aughinish refinery’s production can easily be switched to supplying Europe amid a global aluminium shortage. Ireland keeps the plant running and 475 jobs are safe. Russia loses a critical supply. No shutdown needed, just a redirection of customers.
EVIDENCE SNAPSHOT
To russia with love?
Over 200,619 tons of alumina and the amount continues to rise.
Increased exports
From $243 million in 2022 to $376 million in 2024
The destination
Krasnoyarsk and Sayanogorsk
The war machine
Overwhelmingly feeding putin's war instead of supplying allies
MEDIA AND UPDATES
From the Shannon to Siberia: How alumina from a Limerick refinery enters Russia’s weapons supply chain
The Irish Times
Alumina produced at the Aughinish refinery in Limerick is being shipped to Russia, smelted into aluminium, and ultimately entering the supply chains of companies manufacturing weapons used in the war on Ukraine
Pressure grows on Government over Aughinish Alumina as dozens of MEPs demand export ban
The Irish Times
Pressure is mounting on the Irish government and the EU to ban exports of alumina from the Russian-owned Aughinish Alumina plant in County Limerick after an investigation linked its exports to Russia’s military supply chain, despite concerns about protecting local jobs.
After 4 years of activity, NAFO fellas are still at it, supporting Ukraine in various ways.
United24
In-between donating to Ukrainian initiatives, the doggos make sure that russia doesn’t receive extra profit or materials to manufacture weapons. And it actually works.
The Foundational Metal of War: Aluminum, the Middle East War, and America’s Strategic Vulnerability
The Modern War Institute
And yet aluminum is largely overlooked as a critical defense mineral, even though militaries are utterly dependent on a steady supply of it. It is a foundational material for aircraft, armored vehicles, naval systems, and munitions components. More broadly, it underpins the electrical infrastructure and industrial base that makes them all possible.
Irish Cabinet defends alumina exports to Russia by citing refugees—then evicts 16,000 of them
Euromaiden Press
The article argues that the Irish government defended continued alumina exports from the Russian-owned Aughinish Alumina plant to Russia on economic and refugee-support grounds, then shortly afterward approved plans to evict thousands of Ukrainian refugees from state accommodation.
CAMPAIGN GOAL
Our goal is to put an end to European exports of Alumina to the Russian Federation. Alumina is used in the production of Aluminium, which is then used to produce missiles and drones. The missiles and drones are then used against the Ukrainian people. By making it harder for Russia to acquire Alumina, we make it harder for them to terrorise the people of Ukraine.
MEP's who have pledged support
Different member states represented in support
%
Percentage of the EU Parliament supporting
Contact an MEP
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