RT | Sunday, March 15, 2026
Japanese auto parts makers eye Russian aluminum – Bloomberg

TOKYO —  The Asian nation voluntarily stopped buying Russian product following the 2022 escalation of the Ukraine conflict. Japanese auto parts makers have entered into talks with Russian aluminum giant Rusal as disruptions from the escalating Middle East conflict squeeze supplies, Bloomberg has reported, citing sources familiar with the matter. Although Rusal’s aluminum is not subject to Western sanctions, Japanese firms voluntarily halted purchases in 2022 after the escalation of the Ukraine conflict, contracting Gulf producers instead. Negotiations to buy primary foundry alloy, used in automotive parts such as wheels, engine blocks, and cylinder heads, have been underway for about a week, the outlet said on Tuesday, noting that some deals could be finalized soon. “We cannot comment officially,” a Rusal representative told Forbes Russia. Over the past four years, Rusal has shifted its focus to Asia as European clients, once responsible for about half of its demand, scaled back purchases. EU quotas on Russian aluminum, introduced in 2025, further reduced its sales to the bloc. South Korea is among the destinations taking in Russian aluminum, with annual volumes this year estimated at just under 500,000 tons. A few South Korean auto parts makers are also also reportedly in talks with Rusal, Bloomberg said, reflecting the...Read more