As part of the significant modernization of the casthouse areas of its smelters RUSAL today announced introduction of additional casting complex at Krasnoyarsk Aluminium Smelter.  The new casting complex will be capable of producing 35,000 tonnes of alloys per year. This is the first step within the modernization programme of the casthouse area at Krasnoyarsk and is developed by RUSAL’s Engineering and Technological Center.

“Strategically, RUSAL is focused on producing greater added value aluminium from its smelters and this is being made possible by our continuous technological upgrades.”- Valery Matvienko, Director of aluminium division at RUSAL said, commenting on the project.

“The modernization programme will significantly increase the output of alloys while raising the smelter’s efficiency and product quality. The programme will be completed in 2006 and will be funded by a$27 mln.  investment. Upon completion in 2006 the output of alloys will be raised to 328 000 tonnes (compared to the current 140 000 tonnes). Value added casthouse products output currently account for 32% of RUSAL’s sales and this figure is to increase to 50% by 2009”.