As part of the Aluminum Days, the business world presented the achievements of the Russian aluminum industry. Innovative high-tech products based on aluminum were exhibited in a specially built pavilion consisting of aluminum structures; President of the Aluminum Association Irina Kazovskaya gave a tour to officials and company executives. At the general assembly, representatives and officials of the business world talked about the development and problems of the sector.
In his welcome speech to the participants, Deputy Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation, Minister of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov, emphasized the importance of this for the country’s economy.
“Today, the Russian aluminum industry is known not only as a high-tech and fast-growing industry, but also as a flagship in the development of other basic industrial sectors of our country. “The demand for domestic aluminum in the domestic market is increasing every year, and this is largely an indicator of the level of Russia’s economic and industrial potential,” he said.
Manturov also emphasized that domestic aluminum enterprises, with a wide geographical industrial production presence, provide employment for more than 600 thousand people and are actively creating conditions for Russia’s technological independence. According to him, the aluminum industry has achieved significant success in recent years and he is confident that it will continue to develop.
Today the aluminum industry is one of the driving forces of the innovative development of key industries in Russia. Cooperation between industrial organizations in the aluminum sector makes it possible to implement various projects in the fields of construction, energy, transportation infrastructure and other industries.
As noted by the Minister of State – Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Viktor Evtukhov, the share of the Russian aluminum industry in GDP reached 1.5% – Russia ranks second in the world with a production volume of primary aluminum of 4.1 million tons per year. It is inferior only to China in this indicator. In addition, aluminum consumption in Russia increased from 7 kg to 10 kg per capita in 8 years. Since advanced technology, environmentally friendly, high added value products are produced from aluminum, this volume is considered one of the indicators of the country’s level of development.
“One of the main indicators of the development of the state economy is aluminum consumption per capita, and here Russia lags behind many countries. In China, the USA, Germany, France – many times more. But this is not because we are somehow underdeveloped or do not understand that aluminum is an excellent high-tech product with a wide range of consumer properties. The fact is that it was still believed that production from aluminum was more expensive than traditional materials. However, now we see that manufacturers can give lower prices due to the increase in the scale of production,” noted Viktor Evtukhov.
Wide range of applications
According to Sergei Muzychenko, Deputy Minister of Construction, Housing and Communal Services of the Russian Federation, today aluminum plays an important role in the construction industry, accounting for about 25% of the total domestic aluminum consumption. It is one of the main materials used in the construction of objects today. This metal is actively used in the construction of buildings and structures, bridge structures, facades and stained glass structures.
“Achieving national goals in the field of construction would not be possible without the use of modern technologies and materials. Aluminum has become an innovative solution for the implementation of the most ambitious construction projects. Combining functionality and environmental friendliness, this metal offers builders, architects and designers new opportunities for creativity and implementation of the most daring ideas. “The construction industry is one of the main consumers of aluminum in the Russian market and the tendency to use aluminum structures is increasing,” he said.
As a matter of fact, the demand for this material is increasing every year, thanks to its lightness, durability, environmental friendliness and endless recyclability. Aluminization of all industries can be considered a global trend. After construction and packaging production (aluminum cans and foil), energy is the sector that consumes metal the most.
“Aluminum has unique qualities; above all, lightness, corrosion resistance, durability and high electrical conductivity, which is very important for the energy sector. All this makes it literally indispensable as a material for electrical engineering and the energy industry. Aluminum, as you know, is already used in the production of wires for overhead power lines; aluminum-based alloys are also used in the manufacture of power line supports,” said Valery Seleznev, First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Energy Committee
He emphasized that aluminum is actively used in wiring, cables, contacts and power busbars in many enterprises.
“It is practically indispensable in industries such as gas production, gas processing and oil production, as it is resistant to various manifestations of environmental aggression,” Seleznev added.
Aluminum and technology
Finished aluminum products are high-tech products, for the production of which Russia has the most advanced technologies and has comprehensively developed the necessary competencies. The needs of the main industries are met by hundreds of domestic companies involved in the entire production chain, from semi-finished products to final products.
“We need to bring 169 thousand tons this year” [дополнительного объема потребления металла] only from the development and implementation of new products and new solutions. This is a work on science-intensive projects, the work of many research institutes, the ILMiT Institute. These include more serious features, features, etc. “New alloys with new alloys,” said Evgeny Vasiliev, market development director of Rusal sales directorate, and shared the data.
Taking into account the great prospects, the government of the Russian Federation in May 2023 approved an action plan to revive demand for aluminum industry products by 2025 with a target of 2030, developed on the initiative of the Aluminum Union. One of its main areas is the development and implementation of regional programs. They involve the use of high-tech structures and products made of aluminum and aluminum-based alloys in various fields such as residential, industrial and social construction, aviation and transport infrastructure and others.
“We have a plan to develop the Russian aluminum industry until 2030. Initially, we aimed to improve GOSTs, construction legislation and regulations, for which our colleagues at the Ministry of Construction actively helped us. The plan now has a regional agenda, so that all regions adopt their own programs on aluminum use. We are trying to attract as many contractors as possible from the automotive industry to energy and all sectors where aluminum is increasingly used. We are optimistic about its future, despite all the sanctions restrictions,” Evtukhov emphasized.
Industry challenges
Speaking at the general assembly session, Aluminum Association President Irina Kazovskaya touched upon sanctions and other problems in the industry: “Rusal and the entire aluminum industry are now under unprecedented pressure. Additionally, market conditions are unfavorable. As Viktor Leonidovich Evtukhov said, the raw material base has been partially lost, we are importing raw materials from abroad, which is very difficult.”
“Rusal is investing 400 billion rubles in the Leningrad Alumina Refinery to create its own raw material base. “Also, as a socially responsible company, it spends a lot of money on social projects, including investing 380 billion rubles in the environmental modernization of aluminum smelters,” Kazovskaya emphasized.
Viktor Evtukhov confirmed that without raw material independence the development of the most important industry is impossible, and that is why the Rusal project in the Leningrad region is so important.
Another challenge facing the aluminum industry is the unfair import of aluminum products into Russia at discounted prices. The industry has been talking about the necessity of protecting the domestic market for a long time. Viktor Evtukhov answered the relevant question that if facts about dumping of imports are established, the possibility of taking protective measures should be raised with the Eurasian Commission. As they said at the meeting, the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the aluminum sector now expect the subjects to develop regional programs to increase the demand for innovative products in the sector.