The challenges of the aluminium industry in Argentina (1930-2010)

Abstract

This paper analyzes the process that led to the installation of the first and only -until now- primary aluminium plant in Argentina, belonging to the company Aluminium Argentino (Aluar). Initiatives in this sense took place in the 1940s, mainly by the military, by reasons of national defense, and then by large international companies, but for several causes none prospered. Finally the project was developed by a government aeronautics agency in the 1960s and, with great promotional benefits, was awarded to a private company of national capital in the early years of the following decade. The company had to face a depressed local market which was different from the original forecasts and to bet on vertical integration and rise of its installed capacity for the purpose of placing the bulk of its production on the international market, astrategy that can be considered successful.