UC RUSAL to redesign VAS for automotive alloys production

Moscow, 17 October 2011 — UC RUSAL (SEHK: 486, Euronext: RUSAL/RUAL, MICEX: RUALR, RTS: RUAL), world's largest aluminium producer, announces it plans to undertake redesign of the Volkhov aluminium smelter (“VAS”) aimed at production of aluminium alloys for automotive industry.

New equipment is currently being installed at the smelter. The cast house production capacity will reach 24,000 tonnes of aluminium alloys annually that meets VAS primary aluminium production capacity. The new facility will create an additional 250 jobs and was made possible through the help of the Leningrad Regional Administration.

The redesign is expected be completed in December this year, with total CAPEX amounting to USD 3 million. German company JASPER is the prime contractor of the project. The new cast house will produce grade A356.2 aluminium alloy used in cast automotive wheels production.

“VAS is the first of RUSAL’s smelters to completely switch to high-added value products in line with the Aluminium Division West total redesign programme for aluminium alloys production. This redesign programme will enable the Company to better meet the demand for products tailored for customers’ needs, drive a rise in smelters’ profitability and lead to further interaction with end-customers. For the fastest launch of the cast house we are now actively working to start the new alloy furnace accordingly,” commented UC RUSAL’s Aluminium Division West Director Alexey Arnautov.