Russia’s largest aluminum producer, Rusal, has begun testing new smelting technology that should cut greenhouse gas emissions by a third.
The company has invested $US 25 million installing the technology at its plant in Krasnoyarsk. Rusal has announced plans to introduce the cleaner smelters to other plants across the country from 2010 to 2015. Rusal is a global leader in aluminium production. It supplies 12% of the world’s aluminium and 15% of its alumina. Rusal is a part of the Basic Element holding company, owned by Russian tycoon Oleg Deripaska. The company controls Norilsk Nickel, the leading producer of nickel and palladium. It recently became its majority shareholder with 25% plus one stake.