28 October
MOSCOW,
Press release

UC RUSAL, the world’s largest aluminium and alumina producer, is pleased to announce the launch of the anode-baking furnace at the Sayanogorsk aluminium smelter following its modernisation.  The goal of the USD 25 million project was to provide the Sayanogorsk and Khakas aluminium smelters with the necessary volume of high quality anodes, which are required for aluminium production.

The oldest of the three furnaces in operation at the plant was stopped in March this year for major repairs and modernisation. These were done in the shortest possible time. The innovations developed during major repairs to the second furnace at the baking area last year were used in reconstructing the furnace.  The third baking furnace was built and put into operation at the Sayanogorsk aluminium smelter in 2006 in connection with the launch of the Khakas aluminium smelter.
 
The project was implemented by the Engineering and Construction Division of UC RUSAL. When the furnace reaches its full design capacity of 15,000 tonnes of anodes a month, the demand of the Sayanogorsk and Khakas aluminium smelters for anodes, which is approximately 42,000 tonnes will be met in full. As a result the company will have no need to additionally purchase and deliver anode blocks from China to Sayanogorsk.  The saving rate from the expanded anode production will be more than USD 33 million annually.

About the smelter

Sayanogorsk aluminium smelter, located in the Republic of Khakasia, produced its first metal in 1985 and is today UC RUSAL’s third largest producer of primary aluminium. Its quality system is in compliance with ISO 9001 и ISO/TS 16949. The smelter is certified for compliance with environmental management standard ISO 14001 and HSE standard OHSAS 18 001.

About UC RUSAL

United Company RUSAL (www.rusal.com) is the global leader in the aluminium industry, accounting for approximately 12% and 15% of global production of aluminium and alumina respectively. The company was founded in March 2007 through the merger of RUSAL, SUAL, and the alumina assets of Glencore. UC RUSAL sells its products in 70 countries worldwide and employs 100,000 people in 19 countries, across 5 continents.