OREANDA-NEWS. UC RUSAL, the world's largest producer of aluminium and alumina, has launched a unique web portal to mark the 200th anniversary of aluminium in 2008, the company's press service reported. The new website - accessible at www.aluminiumleader.com/en/ serves as a single point of reference on information regarding aluminium and the aluminium industry, covering everything from the metal's history, its production process and technologies, through the use of aluminium across different industries worldwide.

2008 marks the 200th anniversary of aluminium's discovery and the new portal has been created to demonstrate the metal's existing contribution and future importance to global industry. To mark the anniversary, UC RUSAL has already published a special report "Innovative Aluminium: Technology and Emissions Reduction" and in association with Metal Bulletin plans to publish an Encyclopedia on Aluminium later this year,  and create a film dedicated to this unique metal in 2008.

This bilingual online resource aims to reach a broad audience of those interested in aluminium, from students and journalists to analysts, and industry experts. The web-site will also provide recent industrial news and updates on new technologies and innovations.

Artem Volynets, Corporate Strategy Director, UC RUSAL commented: "The use and consumption of aluminium increases by 5-7% on average each year. This is a result of the growth of industrial production in the emerging markets, the development of the automotive industry, and the increased use of aluminium in construction and packaging. According to analysts, in 20 years the demand for aluminium will more than double. Yet, not all of the opportunities and features of the metal have yet been explored - the Aluminium Leader website is intended to drive further understanding and interest in the potential of this amazing metal."        

The need for an online resource about aluminium was highlighted by a recent survey conducted by the VCIOM (Russian Public Opinion Research Center), one of Russia's leading public opinion poll agencies.  According to the research, over 55% of those surveyed in the Russian regions considered aluminium to be the most popular metal leaving gold and iron behind at second and third places, respectively. Despite this, aluminium is still associated with kitchenware in the minds of many Russians (36%).

The use of aluminium as a substitute to steel in cars and other metals can reduce wastes by making cars lighter and thus reducing gas consumption. It is calculated that a 10% reduction of car weight results in a 9% increase of fuel consumption efficiency. With rising prices for metals, such as zinc and copper, it is more economically feasible to use aluminium as a substitute. UC RUSAL has launched this special aluminium web-site to inform users about the many other uses for the metal both in domestic and industrial fields.