UC Rusal Says To Modernize

Bratsk Aluminum Smelter United Co. Rusal, the world’s largest aluminum producer, plans to start a modernization program at its Bratsk aluminum smelter to reduce environmental impact and increase efficiency, the company said. The project will cost $350 million and is expected to result in 40% reduction of the overall volume of hazardous emissions. Bratsk is the world’s biggest aluminum smelter with an annual production capacity of over 983,000 metric tons. Rusal said that before the year 2012, hydrogen fluoride emissions at the smelter will be cut by 17% and benzopyrene emissions by 30%. “This program will complement a similar project set to be completed this year at the Kraznoyarsk aluminum smelter, where significant environmental improvements have been achieved already,” said Valery Matvienko, director of Rusal’s Engineering and Construction division, which is managing the modernization. At Krasnoyarsk, hazardous emissions have been reduced by 12%, with a 30% target by the end of the project.