UC RUSAL becomes first Russian company to complete monitoring and analysis of greenhouse gas emissions

UC RUSAL reports the completion of an ecological monitoring at the Krasnoyarsk Aluminium Smelter (KrAZ). The research was conducted by Jerry Marks, a respected climate change researcher who is also a specialist consultant for the International Aluminium Institute. UC RUSAL is the first company in Russia to undertake monitoring and analysis of perfluorochemicals emissions (part of greenhouse gas emissions).

The results of the monitoring show that the absolute level of perfluorochemicals emitted at KrAZ was 78% lower in 2007 compared to the level first recorded in 1990.  In addition, the level of emissions per tonne of aluminum produced has decreased by 82% over the same period, indicating that KrAZ has achieved the voluntary goal set by the International Aluminium Institute to reduce this measure by over 80% before 2010.

Commenting on the results, Jerry Marks said: “KrAZ is the world’s second largest aluminium smelter.  When we began this monitoring process, we assumed that greenhouse gas emissions would be much higher. The results of our monitoring and analysis have proved the opposite, which was pleasant surprise. In my opinion, KrAZ is today one of the most effective smelters in the world using Soderberg technology.”    

According to the researcher, the ecological modernization programme initiated at the smelter made a significant contribution to the reduction of perfluorochemicals emissions. In particular, the installation of automated alumina point feeders reduced emissions levels by some 40%. 

Valery Matvienko, Director of the Engineering and Construction Division, commented: “The positive trends of reduced emissions which are highlighted in this report have only become possible due to the large-scale ecological modernization programme undertaken at KrAZ. We have initiated a similar programme at the Bratsk Aluminium Smelter and intend to modernize all of the company’s other smelters. 

“These large-scale efforts deliver impressive results and move us towards our key strategic goal for sustainability - to reduce emissions by 50% by 2015. We are pleased with these results, but are not complacent.  We will continue to transform our Soderberg smelters to dry anode technology and automated alumina point feeders. We are also initiating efforts to improve operational efficiency. All these efforts will help us to improve the ecology in the regions where we operate.”