Rusal Launches Metal Structures Production in Komi

Russian Aluminum United Company (Rusal) announced it intends to launch in Komi the production of special metal structures for aluminum and aluminous facilities, in cooperation with Norway’s Storvik. The production is to begin in November. Rusal plans to produce 51,000 metric tons of products worth $100 million. Metal experts say that such products have never been made in Russia before. Yet, the new production of Rusal will remain local for a while. Russian Aluminum United Company (Rusal) spread a press-release on Monday, telling about the plans to create an enterprise in Ukhta (the Komi Republic). The enterprise will produce metal structures necessary for building aluminum and aluminous facilities. The production is to be launched in November. Rusal plans to produce 51,000 metric tons of output worth $100 million. Norwegian company Storvik will provide technical and consultation support to Rusal. “Storvik was chosen by a tender. The company provided consultations and supplied the equipment and technologies necessary for producing the metal structures. Storvik will also train the personnel,” said Rusal spokesperson Vera Kurochkina. Experts believe the new enterprise in Komi is a local project: it will not produce enough output for export. However, Kurochkina said: “If we feel at a certain moment there is great demand for our products on the market, and our needs are completely covered, we might work for export then.”