ARMENAL produces over 20, 000 tons of thin foil

UC RUSAL, the world’s largest aluminium and alumina producer, announces that for the first time since its commissioning the ARMENAL foil mill produced and sold over 20,000 tpa of aluminium foil, nearly twice as much as last year. In 2009, the mill significantly improved labour efficiency and almost doubled its productivity rate per employee. ARMENAL’s yield ratio, currently exceeding at 70%, stabilised, and the rate of production rejects fell to 3%, which is also the best figure ever achieved by the foil mill. ‘The modernised equipment and the improved professional skills of our staff helped the foil mill achieve good production results this year,’ said Alexander Burdin, Director of RUSAL’s Packaging Division. ‘Enhancement of the technological processes raised production efficiency and enabled the mill to fully meet its customers’ needs.’ Since January 2009, ARMENAL has fulfilled nearly 1,500 export orders and launched full-scale production of ultra-thin foil, which is designed for further gauging. Having improved the quality of foil roll cutting by upgrading the cutting plant, the foil mill has started to produce narrow-width 40-50 mm foil, which is in high demand in the global markets. Founded in May 2000 in Erevan, Armenia, as part of the Kanaker aluminium smelter, ARMENAL is one of the largest industrial sites in Armenia and the only aluminium foil mill in the Caucasus and Central Asia. After joining RUSAL in 2000 the foil mill became part of the company’s Packaging Division, which also includes SAYANAL and Urals Foil. United Company RUSAL (www.rusal.com) is the global leader in the aluminium industry, accounting for approximately 11% and 13% of global production of aluminium and alumina respectively. UC RUSAL employs more than 75,000 people in 19 countries, across 5 continents. UC RUSAL markets and sells its products primarily in the European, Japanese, Korean, South East Asian and North American markets.