Russia's RusAl boosts alumina output by 4.6% in 1H07

Russia's newly-created aluminum giant United Company RusAl said Thursday its alumina output had increased 4.6% year-on-year in the first half of 2007, to 5.584 million metric tons. UC RusAl, established in March 2007 through a merger of Russian aluminum giants RusAl and SUAL and Swiss Glencore's alumina assets, said aluminum production grew 3.8% in the reporting period to 2.037 million metric tons. RusAl accounts for 12.5% and 16% of the global aluminum and alumina markets, respectively.