Aluminium plant to increase powder production

Aluminium producer UC Rusal has announced plans to invest €4 million to modernise its SUAL powder metallurgy plant in Shelekhov, Russia.

The plant is to acquire a HOSOKAWA Alpine classifier mill, which will help increase production capacity by 30% as well as launching a new range of ultra-high quality aluminium powders. The material is used in construction, in particular in the production of autoclave aerocrete.

The installation of the new equipment is part of a broader modernisation of the aluminium powder production project. Assembly works are being carried out at the plant, scheduled to complete in January 2014 and the new equipment will run at full capacity in August 2014.

"The introduction of a wide range of water-retention powders and pastes will enhance our position within the market," said Alexey Arnautov, director of UC Rusal 's Aluminium Division West. "The new classifier mill will not only improve the quality of our products and process safety significantly, but also increase the plant's monthly production capacity of new, different in terms of particle composition aluminium powders used in aerocrete production by up to 120 tonnes."