Russian Federation aluminium behemoth U.C. Rusal said yesterday it has commissioned a new foundry complex at its aluminium smelter operation in Boguchansky (BoAZ). The new foundry will produce 120 thousand metric tons of aluminium alloy for the firm.
Rusal says the new foundry, which was designed by the Italian firm Properzi, will produce a new aluminium alloy that incorporates a higher percentage of silicon than previously available mixes. The new silicon-rich aluminium alloy features a high strength-to-weight ratio and is envisioned for use in the automotive sector, specifically in the manufacture of wheels, engine components, and an assortment of other parts.
The fully-automated complex will produce ingot via continuous casting technology, which Rusal says will not result in the production of slag and other defects in the aluminium alloy produced at the site. Such inclusions tend to be endemic in aluminium alloy produced by conventional means, notes the firm.
Rusal says it plans to market the high-silicone aluminium alloy throughout the world, especially to areas where demand is strong, namely Germany, Indonesia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Turkey, and the United States.
“The new foundry complex at the Boguchansky aluminium smelter, the most modern enterprise in the industry, will significantly expand the VAP line,” explained Evgenii Nikitin, Rusal’s CEO. “The new foundry will produce high quality alloys for the automotive industry, which are used in the manufacture of key automotive parts and units. As foreign markets recover, the demand for these products will continue to grow.”
Altogether, Rusal’s investment in the project totals ₽600 million (US$8.6 million).