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Aluar Aluminum Plant
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The ALUAR (Aluminio Argentino) plant in Puerto Madryn is the only primary aluminum smelter in Argentina and one of the largest in South America. Founded in 1974, the plant uses the abundant hydroelectric power from the Andes to produce aluminum by electrolysis from imported alumina. ALUAR is a vertically integrated company, ranging from energy production to the manufacture of semi-finished products such as plates, sheets, and profiles. The plant has transformed the city of Puerto Madryn into an important industrial center and is the largest private employer in the province of Chubut. Production is almost entirely destined for export and makes Argentina a major player in the global aluminum market. ALUAR is an example of the successful development of a capital-intensive heavy industry in Patagonia.
- Location: Argentina
- Top sights: Museo del Desembarco · Ecocentro · Museo de Arte Moderno
- Nearby: Puerto Madryn (5 km)
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jan, Feb, Dec.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 22 | 21 | 18 | 14 | 10 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 14 | 17 | 20 |
| Rain mm | 14 | 23 | 26 | 26 | 34 | 33 | 21 | 16 | 15 | 18 | 13 | 10 |
📋 Practical info
What is this place?
The Aluar aluminum plant in Puerto Madryn is Argentina's only primary aluminum producer and a major industrial complex. It supplies raw aluminum to the national industry and creates thousands of jobs in Patagonia.
Visiting
The plant grounds are not open to the public, but the facility can be seen from surrounding roads and the beach. The nearby Museo del Aluminio provides information on industrial history.
Where to view it
From the beach of Puerto Madryn, you have a good view of the plant's silhouette with its production halls and chimneys. The access road from Ruta Nacional 3 also has a wide perspective.
Local products
No direct consumer goods are sold from the plant in the region, but Puerto Madryn has shops with aluminum crafts and souvenirs. The local economy strongly benefits from aluminum production.
Active season
The aluminum plant operates 24/7 year-round, with continuous production. It is especially busy during maintenance periods or shift changes when many workers enter or leave the site.
Nearby
Combine the visit with a trip to the Valdés Peninsula, famous for whale watching. The nearby town of Gaiman with its Welsh culture and tea houses is also worth a visit.
Geography
Facts
- Inaugurated in 1974 as part of a national industrial development plan.
- Has a production capacity of over 460,000 tons of aluminum per year.
- Supplies nearly 100% of the Argentine domestic aluminum market.
- Exports approximately 70% of its total production worldwide.
- Owns and operates the Futaleufú hydroelectric dam to power the smelter.
- Has its own massive wind farm to supplement its energy needs.
- A vital driver of the Almirante Storni deep-water port activity.
- Employs over 2,000 highly specialized workers directly.
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Sights in the town Aluar Aluminum Plant (15)
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Frequently asked questions
What is the Aluar aluminum plant?
Aluar is Argentina's key aluminum plant in Puerto Madryn. It produces primary aluminum and is a cornerstone of the industrial sector.
Can you visit the Aluar plant?
Only limited access, and usually not as a spontaneous tourist visit. If anything, it is only through official, organized industrial or educational visits.
What is Aluar known for?
It is known for large-scale aluminum production and its role in Patagonia's industrial history. It is a central employer and energy user in the region.
When is the best time to visit Puerto Madryn?
From spring through autumn is pleasant, especially because of the coast and wind. Summer is the most active tourist season.
What is near the Aluar plant?
Puerto Madryn, the Almirante Storni port, and Peninsula Valdés are the main reference points. The location tightly connects industry and nature.
Aluar Aluminum Plant: where is it located?
Aluar Aluminum Plant is located in Argentina.
Aluar Aluminum Plant: what is there to see?
Highlights include Museo del Desembarco, Ecocentro, Museo de Arte Moderno.
Aluar Aluminum Plant: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jan, Feb, Dec.
Aluar Aluminum Plant: why is it worth visiting?
The ALUAR (Aluminio Argentino) plant in Puerto Madryn is the only primary aluminum smelter in Argentina and one of the largest in South America.
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Nearby cities
Puerto Madryn
A popular coastal city on the Golfo Nuevo, famous as a gateway to Peninsula Valdés for whale watching and wildlife tourism.
Rawson
The administrative capital of Chubut Province, located near the Atlantic coast where the Chubut River meets the sea.
Trelew
A major city in the Chubut Valley founded by Welsh settlers, known for its paleontological museum and commercial importance.
History & landmarks
Nature
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Port of Comodoro Rivadavia
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Patagonian Meseta
A vast, steppe-like plateau stretching across the southern part of Argentina, shaped by strong winds.