OREANDA-NEWS. September 20, 2012. UC RUSAL (SEHK: 486; Euronext: RUSAL/RUAL; Moscow Exchange: RUALR/RUALRS), the world’s largest aluminium producer, announces an increase in powder production due to the launch of unique equipment and the introduction of the new types of products.

In the first half of 2012 the total volume of powder products, produced by UC RUSAL subsidiaries, has increased by 29.4% compared to first half of 2011. The growth is mainly a result of a full-scale modernization programme, started in 2011 on three units of SUAL-Powder Metallurgy in Shelekhov, Krasnoturinsk and Volgograd cities.

The cutting-edge German equipment — the air sizing Hosokawa Alpine system enables the company to produce less than 10-micron powders with a maximum yield value and a narrow granulometric size composition, increasing the prospective product range two-fold. Total investment into the project amounts to more than USD3 million. The project feasibility is based on a high demand from solar panel producers, as the fine aluminum powder is widely used for solar cell array production.

In 2012-2013 RUSAL plans further upgrades and the renovation of powder capacities which will result in the production of new types of high-demand hydrophilic aluminum powders and pastes of stable quality. The investments into the project are estimated at more than USD5 million. This production will recycle 100% of all wastes from fine aluminum powder production and increase the output of hydrophilic aluminum powders by 2.5 times. Hydrophilic powders are in high demand in the production of cellular concrete, one of the most promising construction materials.

"The production upgrade will enable us to produce powders and pastes surpassing analogous imports. We pay special attention to powder production and to our in-house technologies and know-how, as aluminium powders are used in high-tech industries such as in the solar energy and defense industries, that is why we should be able to respond immediately to the market's needs", said UC RUSAL's Commercial Director Evgeny Ovchinnikov.