<article><p class="lead">German aluminium producer Trimet has reduced its P1020 ingot output in response to tight global alumina supply.</p><p>The firm started a gradual reduction in output in the autumn, but it declined to say from exactly when ingot production was affected and the extent of the reduction. </p><p>"Due to a supply-shortage on the alumina market, Trimet has temporarily reduced its production of primary aluminium by approximately 10pc. Trimet expects to resume to full capacity in early 2019," board member Thomas Reuther said.</p><p>Trimet said casting production is unaffected and that it will meet all its delivery commitments.</p><p>Many European smelters were hit by the 50pc output cap at Norwegian producer Norsk Hydro's Brazilian Alunorte refinery, implemented from March this year. Alunorte produced 6.4mn t of alumina in 2017, more than any other aluminium refinery in the world.</p><p>Trimet also declined to comment on whether it will source alternative alumina supply to plug the raw material gap. </p><p>Trimet's German operations produced 625,000t of primary and recycled aluminium in the financial year ending 30 June 2018. The group's output in France was 140,000t for the same period. </p></article>
