Smelting technology

Rusal has completed the conversion of its aluminium smelter in Krasnoyarsk to Eco Soderberg technology.

Rio Tinto has announced to conduct a strategic review of the Isal aluminium smelter in Iceland. The review will consider all options including curtailment and closure, and will be complete in the first half of 2020.

Aluminium Bahrain B(Alba) has recently signed Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) with Fluorsid SpA, Fata SpA and Techmo Car SPC. The MoUs aim at further strengthening business relations with these three Italian companies. Alba has an existing contract with Fluorsid for the supply of 15-20 kt of smelter grade aluminium fluoride, which amounts to 70% of Alba’s yearly requirements. Fata is the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contractor for Alba’s Port Capacity Upgrade Project, part of Alba Line 6 expansion. And Techmo is a producer of mobile and stationary equipment for the aluminium smelters and enjoys a long-standing commercial relationship with Alba.

The Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) has certified the Icelandic aluminium smelter of Century Aluminum Company, Grundartangi Island, against ASI's Performance Standard. This standard covers the responsible production, procurement and management of aluminium. The plant's operations include an aluminum smelter and a foundry, which are powered by hydropower and geothermal energy.

Emirates Global Aluminium and the Indonesian state-owned company Inalum have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at licensing EGA’s in-house developed smelter technology to Inalum. The two companies intend to collaborate on the upgrade of an existing Inalum aluminium smelter and to develop a new smelter in Indonesia.

Emirates Global Aluminium has completed its historic project to export UAE-developed industrial technology, with the conclusion of performance guarantee tests at Aluminium Bahrain (Alba). The company won a competitive international tender in 2016 to supply its DX+ Ultra smelting technology to Alba for the Potline 6 expansion project. DX+ Ultra is the 10 ^th generation EGA technology, and is amongst the most efficient in the world. Alba’s Potline 6, was inaugurated by His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, King of Bahrain, on 24 November 2019.

Alcoa-Rio Tinto joint venture Elysis has announced that the first commercial batch of aluminium without any direct carbon dioxide emissions will soon be shipped to Apple Inc. The carbon-free aluminium uses a revolutionary smelting technology, developed by the Alcoa-Rio JV. The batch will be shipped this month from the Alcoa R&D facility in Pittsburgh and be used in Apple products.

Pyrotek Inc. is to complete construction in November of a new, 6,185m ² manufacturing facility in Dubai, UAE. The plant, which is scheduled to be occupied in January 2020, will serve and supply the rapidly growing aluminium smelting industry in the region.

Technology company Elysis has officially launched construction on its R&D Centre in Saguenay.