MONTREAL, Dec 13 (Reuters) - Alcan Inc. is expected to unveil plans on Thursday to build an aluminum pilot smelter plant in Quebec using next-generation technology aimed at lowering energy costs and emissions and improving output, according to sources.
Alcan declined to comment, but confirmed it was making arrangements for an announcement at Jonquiere in Quebec's Saguenay region, where it has the bulk of its Canadian smelter capacity. Dick Evans, Alcan's president and chief executive, and Quebec Premier Jean Charest, were expected to attend.
The pilot plant would use AP50 smelting technology that Alcan acquired during its acquisition of France's Pechiney, which was completed in early 2004.
The AP50 is a major step up from current AP30 and AP35 technology at Alcan. It uses higher amperage in the reduction cells, and allows for lower capital expenditures and operating costs and emissions.
Alcan's proposed project to build a $2.7 billion, 720,000-tonne aluminum smelter at Coega, South Africa, which it also took over in the Pechiney acquisition, was initially slated to use AP50 technology, but is currently based on the AP35 system.
Alcan would have a 25 to 40 percent interest in the Coega smelter, with partners taking up the balance. Last month, it reached a long-term power supply agreement for the plant with South African state-owned energy concern Eskom.
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