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

Click here for Official Advocacy Statement
Alumina21 Campaign briefing
Appendix 1. The continuous flow of delivery of Alumina to russia
Appendix 2. The Global supply chain
Appendix 3. The Impact on Drone Production
Appendix 4. Supporting Documentation, Evidence of Genocide and genocidal Intent

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.

WHAT’S BEING SAID ABOUT OUR CAMPAIGN

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UNITED24

“A Terrific Initiative”

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THE OCCRP

“Great Work”

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THE IRISH TIMES

“Really Impressive”

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CAOLAN ROBERTSON

“A Huge Amount of Work”

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Jason Corcoran

“Stellar Work”

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Outdated policy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

Increased exports

Ireland's alumina exports to Russia surged 55% in value since Russia's illegal full scale invasion of Ukraine.

From $243 million in 2022 to $376 million in 2024

The war machine

Russia's share of Aughinish exports exploded from 16% in 2018 to 51% in Q1 2026.

Overwhelmingly feeding putin's war instead of supplying allies

The destination

In 2024, Aughinish shipped around half its output, worth $400 million to just two Russian smelters.

Krasnoyarsk and Sayanogorsk

READ MORE ABOUT THE IMPACT OF THE ALUMINA TRADE

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.

SOCIAL MEDIA

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

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Percentage of the EU Parliament supporting

Contact an MEP

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