LONDON, Aug 27, 2010 (Dow Jones Commodities News via Comtex) -- Netherlands-based Vimetco NV (VICO.LN) said Friday its primary aluminum production rose 54% year-on-year in the first half 2010, to 429,000 metric tons.

Primary aluminum sales were also higher at 437,000 tons, a rise of 46% on year.

Processed aluminum production was up 29% at 62,000 tons and processed aluminum sales rose 54% to 58,500 tons, the company said.

The aluminum producer, which has the capacity to produce around 1 million tons annually, reported primary metal sales of 649,000 metric tons and processed products sales of 88,000 tons last year.

Net profit for the first half was meanwhile unchanged at $15 million.

Vimetco is the seventh-largest aluminum producer in the world.