RUSAL is modernizing powder metallurgy facilities

As part of the investment programs launched by RUSAL in 2015, 160 million rubles were allocated to modernize the powder production at the Volgograd Aluminum Plant (VgAZ). One of the areas of modernization at VgAZ is to expand the range of manufactured aluminum powders and pastes, which are used for the production of aerated concrete in the construction industry.

Currently, the Volgograd plant is carrying out a set of works on the installation of grinding equipment to expand the range of produced aluminum powders and commissioning of a mixer unit for the production of hydrophilic pastes with a volume of 50 tons per month. In addition, a comprehensive modernization of the grinding plant is being carried out and a classification system is being installed, which remotely communicates information about the operation of the equipment in order to improve product quality, productivity and production safety.

In the first five months of this year, the modernization program has already led to an increase in the output of powder products at VgAZ, which increased by 670 tons compared to the output for the same period last year. By the end of 2015, VgAZ plans to produce about 8,500 tons of aluminum powder products.

The modernization and renovation of the Volgograd Aluminum Smelter is taking place as part of the RUSAL program to increase the annual production of aluminum powder products from 20 thousand tons to 25.5 thousand tons. In addition, RUSAL plans to increase its share of sales in the CIS and Russian markets from 54 percent to 76 percent. The modernization program, designed for the period 2014 - 2022, covers two powder metallurgy enterprises: the Volgograd aluminum plant and the production in Shelekhov. For the implementation of the project, an investment of $ 52 million is expected.

The head of RUSAL's new projects, Alexei Arnautov, noted that new types of powders that VgAZ will be able to produce as a result of modernization will be high-quality products that are in demand among consumers. In addition, the modernization of powder metallurgy production facilities will ensure the production of high-margin products, and will also allow the supply of competitive powder products of higher quality to the Russian market.