OREANDA-NEWS. November 2, 2007. UC RUSAL, the world’s largest producer of aluminium and alumina, is pleased to announce that it has joined the Federation of Aluminium Consumers in Europe (FACE). FACE membership is in line with the company’s commitment to advancing international use of aluminium and alumina and supporting the overall development of the aluminium sector.

UC RUSAL aims to pursue its dynamic business development through the company’s existing competitive advantages, also benefiting from global industry trends. FACE provides an effective platform for building industry alliances to resolve common concerns and explore future opportunities jointly with international aluminium consumers.

Global consumption of aluminium is currently growing at a rate of 5-7% annually and UC RUSAL is keeping up with this increased demand through upgrading existing facilities and building new technologically advanced production capacities. Sustainable development is a fundamental principle for UC RUSAL.  This approach, which combines attention to the environment, investments in new production technologies and advanced corporate social responsibility, is consistent with FACE’s guiding values.

FACE’s key objectives include achievement of a fair competitive environment for aluminium products; promotion of the use of aluminium and its economic, social and environmental advantages; assessment of the impact of new technologies on the production, semi-fabrication, trade and use of aluminium and reduction of the costs of primary aluminium products - thus stimulating demand. Such objectives run parallel to UC RUSAL’s overall development strategy.

Speaking at the session of the FACE Board, Alexander Livshits, Director for International and Special Projects, announced UC RUSAL as a member of the Federation of Aluminium Consumers in Europe. He said: “We share the objectives of the Federation, especially concerning promotion of the use of aluminium and its advantages, finding new and innovative applications, encouraging studies and research on aluminium-related issues and generating public interest in industry achievements and challenges.  We look forward to a mutually beneficial alliance with other FACE members.”