MARKET TALK: Rusal Sees "Relatively Balanced" Aluminum Mkt

Rusal anticipates a "relatively balanced" aluminum market in 2007, says the company's managing director for sales and marketing Peter Finnimore, on the sidelines of the Platts Aluminum Symposium 2007 in Scottsdale, Ariz. No "hard landings" are anticipated in any major economies, he says. "We agree with the forecasts of the Alcoas and others that consumption will double over 15-20 years." Automotive and packaging should remain strong growth areas for aluminum during that period, he says.