UC Rusal commissioned a new ingot casting complex at the Boguchansky smelter with a capacity of 120,000 tonnes of aluminum alloys per year. The more than 600 million ruble (US$8.7 million) project enables the company to increase its production of value-added products (VAP).
“The new foundry complex at the Boguchansky aluminum smelter, the most modern enterprise in the industry, will significantly expand the VAP line,” said Evgenii Nikitin, CEO of Rusal. “The new foundry will produce high quality alloys for the automotive industry, which are used in the manufacture of key automotive parts and units. As foreign markets recover, the demand for these products will continue to grow.”
The new ingot casting facility from Continuus-Properzi is designed to be fully automated, producing ingots through continuous casting technology. Continuous casting is a production method that eliminates the formation of any slag inclusions and other defects inherent in traditional casting methods.
The facility will produce a new product for Rusal — a high silicon aluminum alloy with increased strength. This alloy is commonly used in the automotive industry for the manufacture of wheels, engine units, and various spare parts. The company notes that demand for this product is strong in markets such as Japan, Indonesia, Turkey, South Korea, Germany, and the U.S.
Primary aluminum will be supplied to the new foundry directly from the Boguchansky smelter, which started up its first potline in early 2019. The smelter uses hydropower to run its potlines, making it an environmentally friendly operation.
Rusal is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. The company has grown over the past two decades to become a global leader in aluminum, with its business representing about 5.9% of global production of aluminum and 6.3% of alumina production.