OREANDA-NEWS. RUSAL, the world's third largest aluminium producer, has announced the opening of one of the most advanced foil mills in the world, "RUSAL ARMENAL" in Armenia after extensive modernization. Total investment into the project has exceeded $70 million.

The tender for the modernization of the plant was won by German firm Achenbaсh who started the programme in 2004 and completed it in a record period of 23 months. The modernization programme included the installation of supercasters, which are continuous casting and rolling units.

The programme developed a non-waste process cycle, abandoned the use of ingots, improved the quality of products and cut expenses significantly. The preparatory rolling mill has also been fully modernized and is now equipped with monitoring tools and a process control system.

Modern environment-protection and labour safety systems have been implemented at the plant. In particular, the process of lubricant steam collection removal and condensation system has been updated, modern fire-fighting equipment has been installed and a complex fire alarm system has been introduced. RUSAL Armenal will produce 25,000 tonnes of foil per year, of which 18,000 tonnes will be a thin 6-9 micron foil, which is the most popular product in Russia and abroad.

The plant is expected to operate at full capacity in mid-2007 and become one of the major aluminium foil producers in the region. The plant's share in the total volume of foil products in the CIS will amount to 12% and its main sales markets will be Europe and USA.

ARMENAL is the only aluminium foil production facility in the Caucasus and Central Asia and has already received enough orders to operate at full capacity. RUSAL is considering an opportunity to expand the plant's production capacity up to 40,000 tonnes of product per year.

The "RUSAL ARMENAL" foil mill was established in Yerevan in May 2000 on the basis of the Kanakersk Aluminium Smelter and is one of the largest manufacturing enterprises in Armenia. It was acquired by RUSAL in 2000. Together with the "RUSAL SAYANAL" plant (The Republic of Khakassia) it forms the packaging division of the Company. It is certified according to the quality management system international standard ISO 9001.