UC RUSAL considering additional 5% reduction in aluminum production in 2009
MOSCOW. July 17 (Interfax) - Russia's United Company RUSAL, the world's largest aluminum and alumina producer, could consider an additional 5% reduction in aluminum output this year at its inefficient facilities, Alexei Arnautov, head of the company's aluminum division, told Interfax in an interview.
Arnautov said that the company would consider raising total output only when supply and demand evens out.
"This will take place no earlier than mid-2011 when we plan to launch individual blocks at the Boguchany and Taishet aluminum plants, which are at a high level of readiness, despite the possibility of an additional reduction of 5% in total production at inefficient and environmental substandard production facilities," he said.
He also said that an additional reduction in aluminum production would help facilitate the introduction of new facilities at the aforementioned aluminum plants without additional pressure being felt on the market.
The production units that the company has already suspended at some plants will lead to a 500,000-tonne reduction in aluminum output this year, or 11% of total production, he said.