OREANDA-NEWS. January 31, 2012. The Irkutsk Aluminum Smelter, IRKAZ which belongs to Russian aluminum company UC Rusal, has successfully finished testing Nanocomp Metcast, nanocoatings developed by Rusnano's project company ItN Nanovation AG of Germany.

Rusal in a press release said that “Nanocomp Metcast are innovative nanocoatings tailored to casting machinery. They extend the service life of molds and lengthen the intervals for maintenance of casting conveyors. As a result, the casting process becomes more efficient at a lower cost.”

The release added that at the moment, ItN Nanovation AG and Rusal are studying the large-scale introduction of Nanocomp Metcast at Rusal's aluminum smelters.

Rusnano acquired a 29.9% stake in ItN Nanovation AG in May 2011. The company is expected to create capacities for producing nanoceramic coatings for power and casting production in Russia. Rusnano is investing around 16 million euro in the project.

ItN Nanovation's product line includes nanoceramic coating utilized in power and casting production; membrane filters with nanoceramic coating; and mobile sewage treatment units.