Canadian producer Alcan said it will build a $550m pilot plant at its Jonquiere site in Canada to develop the next generation of its AP-series smelter technology.
The 60,000tpy facility will use AP50 technology, which "will operate at an unsurpassed 500 kilo amperes (kA), and is focused on productivity and reduction of full economic cost," the company said.
Construction of the plant will begin in 2008 with first metal scheduled for 2010. It will be a first step in creating up to 450,000tpy of new-generation AP technology using Quebec's hydro-electric power system. Total costs are projected at $1.8 billion over a 10-year time frame.
Dick Evans, Alcan president and chief executive, paid tribute to the support of the government of Quebec and the SNEAA-CAW trade union, which represents around 80% of the workforce in company facilities based at Jonquiere.
A long-term contract with the union was signed in June, paving the way for the investment, he said.
The Quebec government has provided financial support via R&D tax incentives and loans and has made available up to 225MW of extra power to support the investment program.
Together with existing power contracts and Alcan's proprietary system, the company said it has a secure supply of around 2,600MW through the year 2045. The government retains the right to cancel some or all of the new rights over power and water in the event either of an acquisition of Alcan or a change of location of its headquarters "which has a negative impact on the Company's positive commitment to or presence in Quebec."
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