RUSAL enters on production of aluminium anodes with enhanced performance attributes for oil and gas and shipbuilding industries

RUSAL a leading global aluminium producer made public that it has started producing anodes for cathodic protection (CP) 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 enhancing performance attributes. The anodes will be manufactured at the Volgograd aluminium smelter.

The smelter will produce five types of anodes from Zn-Mn aluminium alloy, which delivers upgraded 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 if demand for the product grows. The total investment into the project is estimated at Roubles 20 million.

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.

RUSAL’s CEO Evgenii Nikitin said: “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.”