Mar 21 (LTIT) - United Company RUSAL Plc. Has announced investment of over RUB 500 million at its Achinsk Alumina Refinery in Russia. The investment is towards construction of a pilot plant producing innovative material for the cable industry. The pilot plant will have a production capacity of 5,000 tpa of fine precipitated aluminium hydroxide (FPAH). The company has reportedly completed preparations for construction of the plant.

The implementation of the project will make RUSAL the first domestic producer of FPAH in the country. The country’s FPAH demand is estimated at more than 30,000 tpa. Currently, the country imports its entire FPAH requirement. Studies show that global FPAH consumption totals around 800,000 tpa and is expected to grow by 4% per annum.

FPAH are tiny particles, which are 100 times thinner than a human hair. The fire retardant nature of the material makes it a preferred choice in the production of silicate wool for cables. In addition, it is also used in the production of lacquers, high-quality paper, and polymer compounds for various applications. The production process using FPAH does not generate waste and does not lead to emission of harmful particles.

Evgeny Nikitin, RUSAL's CEO stated that the company has decided to double the size of the pilot plant, following successful completion of testing process in a lab and the positive feedback it received from its customers. The plant is expected to reach the designed capacity by end-2021. Furthermore, the plant could add to its capacity at a later stage based on demand, Nikitin added.