BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 16. The Middle East
conflict has affected supplies of aluminum, sulfur and raw
materials used in the production of critical minerals.
According to the “Global Critical Minerals Market Review 2026”
report published on the International Energy Agency (IEA) website,
while the main consequences of the conflict affected oil and gas
markets, the closure of the Strait of Hormuz also had a significant
impact on mineral and metal markets, particularly aluminum, sulfur
and helium.
According to the IEA, Middle Eastern countries account for about
8% of global aluminum production.
“Production restrictions at several regional aluminum plants
have increased market pressures. In addition, the region supplies
about a quarter of the world’s sulfur, and half of global seaborne
shipments of this raw material pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
Sulfur is a key raw material for producing sulfuric acid, which is
required for fertilizer production as well as for processing a
range of critical minerals, including copper, lithium, cobalt,
nickel and rare earth elements,” the agency said.
The report noted that sulfur supply disruptions prompted China
to restrict sulfuric acid exports in May 2026, affecting supply
chains in both the critical minerals sector and fertilizer
production.
According to the IEA, the subsequent rise in sulfuric acid
prices increased production costs in industries linked to several
critical minerals. “In some cases, sulfuric acid expenses exceeded
energy costs and became the largest component of production
expenses.”
