Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on March 2, 2026
2 min readLast updated: April 2, 2026
Add as preferred source on GoogleBahrain’s Aluminium Bahrain (Alba) is in exclusive talks to acquire Europe’s largest aluminium smelter, Aluminium Dunkerque, from U.S. fund AIP for over €1 billion, with plans to protect jobs, boost low-carbon output, and possibly include Bpifrance in the deal.
March 2 (Reuters) - Bahrain-based industrial group Alba has entered exclusive talks with U.S. fund AIP to acquire Europe's largest smelter Aluminium Dunkerque, the companies said on Monday, in what would be one of the Bahrain's biggest corporate deals.
Alba said it aims to buy all shares of Aluminium Dunkerque, while preserving personnel numbers and strengthening low-emission production, it said in the joint statement.
The company was valued north of 1 billion euros ($1.17 billion), one person with knowledge of the matter said.
The deal will be paid in cash, with funding fully underwritten by a syndicate of relationship banks, the companies said.
In addition, Alba said France's state-owned investment bank Bpifrance may also take a stake in the company.
($1 = 0.8537 euros)
($1 = 0.8564 euros)
(Reporting by Mateusz Rabiega and Federico Maccioni. Writing by Anousha Sakoui Editing by Tomasz Janowski)
Bahrain-based Alba is in exclusive talks with American fund AIP to acquire Aluminium Dunkerque.
The company is valued at over 1 billion euros ($1.17 billion), according to a source.
Alba intends to acquire all shares, preserve personnel numbers, and strengthen low-emission production.
The transaction is expected to be finalized in 2026, pending regulatory approval.
France's state-owned investment bank Bpifrance may also take a stake in Aluminium Dunkerque.
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