RUSAL to invest $ 10 million in silicon production

UC RUSAL announces plans to invest over USD 10 million in modernization of silicon production in 2015.

The investment program will allow RUSAL to increase its production of high-quality silicon grades up to 23,820 tons per year, which are required for the aluminum alloy production process. The modernization of production sites will also reduce the company's dependence on silicon imports. RUSAL plans to overhaul and upgrade equipment at SUAL Silicon Ural LLC and Silicon CJSC, which will reduce harmful emissions into the atmosphere.

The planned investment program includes the modernization and optimization of production processes; consistent introduction of the refining process at SUAL Silicon Ural LLC, as well as changes in the technology of silicon casting in molds. In addition, experimental work is underway to produce silicon in 2002, the first batch of which has already been received at SUAL Silicon Ural and has been successfully tested. In collaboration with RUSAL's R&D center with the company's engineering and construction division, new molds and a newly developed silicon machine are being tested.

Alexey Arnautov, Deputy Director of RUSAL for New Projects, said that “Our ability to ensure the minimum impurity content puts us on a par with the world's leading silicon producers. The investment will not only allow us to strengthen our position in the global market, but also reduce our dependence on imports, which will lead to to significant economic benefits for the company. "