RIA OREANDA
Economic News
October 26, 2006 Thursday
RUSAL Opens the ARMENAL Plant after Large-Scale Modernization
Yerevan. OREANDA-NEWS. RUSAL, the world’s third largest aluminium
producer, has announced the opening of one of the most advanced foil
mills in the world, "RUSAL ARMENAL" in Armenia after extensive
modernization. Total investment into the project has exceeded $70
million.
The tender for the modernization of the plant was won by German firm
Achenbah who started the programme in 2004 and completed it in a
record period of 23 months. The modernization programme included the
installation of supercasters, which are continuous casting and
rolling units.
The programme developed a non-waste process cycle, abandoned the use
of ingots, improved the quality of products and cut expenses
significantly. The preparatory rolling mill has also been fully
modernized and is now equipped with monitoring tools and a process
control system.
Modern environment-protection and labour safety systems have been
implemented at the plant. In particular, the process of lubricant
steam collection removal and condensation system has been updated,
modern fire-fighting equipment has been installed and a complex fire
alarm system has been introduced. RUSAL Armenal will produce 25,000
tonnes of foil per year, of which 18,000 tonnes will be a thin 6-9
micron foil, which is the most popular product in Russia and abroad.
The plant is expected to operate at full capacity in mid-2007 and
become one of the major aluminium foil producers in the region. The
plant’s share in the total volume of foil products in the CIS will
amount to 12% and its main sales markets will be Europe and USA.
ARMENAL is the only aluminium foil production facility in the
Caucasus and Central Asia and has already received enough orders to
operate at full capacity. RUSAL is considering an opportunity to
expand the plant’s production capacity up to 40,000 tonnes of product
per year.
The "RUSAL ARMENAL" foil mill was established in Yerevan in May 2000
on the basis of the Kanakersk Aluminium Smelter and is one of the
largest manufacturing enterprises in Armenia. It was acquired by
RUSAL in 2000. Together with the "RUSAL SAYANAL" plant (The Republic
of Khakassia) it forms the packaging division of the Company. It is
certified according to the quality management system international
standard ISO 9001.