Rusal, the Russian aluminium producer, has denied reports that it plans to ship aluminium directly to the London Metal Exchange (LME) from warehouses in Asia.

It has been reported that Rusal, who produce aluminium beverage cans among other products, were mulling over such a move to find new buyers for its primary aluminium.

The LME is said to be considering a ban on Russian materials, including aluminium, nickel and copper.

Rusal has since released a statement denying claims they are planning to deliver large quantities of metal on the LME.

A statement read: “Further to recent media reports, Rusal refutes in the strongest terms any suggestion that it is planning to deliver large quantities of metal on the LME, in Europe, the U.S. or any other location. 

“Statements otherwise are highly speculative and irresponsible. Rusal’s sales book is solid, and the company has no need to deliver metal to LME warehouses.”

In April, the chairman of Rusal, Bernard Zonneveld, a Dutch national, released a statement on the Rusal website calling for an end to the Ukraine conflict and called for an investigation into alleged war crimes.