RUSAL commences production of aluminium anodes with improved performance characteristics for the oil gas and shipbuilding industries

RUSAL announces that it has started producing anodes for cathodic protection for the oil and gas, shipbuilding and other heavy industries to protect critical structures and metal objects from corrosion.

The move forms part of RUSAL’s strategy to produce more value-added products (VAP) from aluminium alloys with improved performance characteristics. The anodes will be manufactured at the Volgograd aluminium smelter.

The smelter will produce five types of anodes from Zn-Mn aluminium alloy, which provides improved product performance and long-lasting protection of metal objects from corrosion in hostile and challenging operating environments. The initial capacity of the site will be 50 tonnes per month; however, this can be increased in the event that demand for the product grows. The total investment into the project is estimated at 20 million rubles.

Test samples have been sent to potential customers for trial following the relevant assurance and certification checks being carried out. At the same time, the products are undergoing certification as part of the Russian maritime register of shipping and the system of voluntary certification, Intergazcert.

“The diversification of our value-added products is not only part of RUSAL’s strategy to increase the share of VAPs as a proportion of our sales portfolio, but also a key element of the Company’s contribution to supply crucial equipment in demanding environments such as shipbuilding and oil and gas through the development of necessary technologies and competencies. The wide application of these products will enable companies to significantly reduce their operating costs, and consequently will have a positive impact on the efficiency of their projects in general”, said RUSAL’s CEO Evgenii Nikitin.