|
|
SUSTAINABLE
DEVELOPMENT / ENVIRONMENT
ENVIRONMENT
As the world’s largest aluminium and alumina producer, UC RUSAL intends to also
become a leader in the field of environment protection and health and safety
management by using new approaches to its social and charity programmes. Spread
across 19 countries in 5 continents, we see our mission as contributing,
through the development of our business, to the economic and social prosperity
of all the regions and countries where we operate.
Sustainable development requires an elaborate system that encompasses all the
company’s activities. It has to be based upon accountability to our partners,
clients, employees and local stakeholders in the countries that we work in. It
should also pay special attention to the environment alongside substantial
investment in the development of new technologies and the constant improvement
of production processes.
The company implements a wide range of programmes aimed at environmental
protection and improving the working conditions and prosperity of its employees
and their families, along with creating opportunities for economic and social
development.
UC RUSAL adheres to international business standards and has introduced best
CSR practices in its operations. The company regularly informs the general
public and stakeholders about the results of the projects and initiatives that
are aimed at making the company a socially responsible and dynamic
transnational corporation.
In compliance with the concepts of sustainable development and the strategy
entitled “Paving
The Way To A Safer World“, which was adopted by the company in 2007, as
part of an initiative to minimize the risk of climatic change, UC RUSAL will
continue to introduce innovative 21st century technologies on a large scale
basis and continue to use clean energy resources.
It is the responsibility of business to be environmentally-oriented and this
approach is based on three key principles:
-
Environmental progress is compulsory and achievable.
-
The cornerstone of such progress is investment in innovations.
-
Support of international and national environmental initiatives.
The multifaceted environmental strategy adopted by the UC RUSAL takes into
account a complex set objectives and outlines the major areas of activity.
Compliance with environmental legislation and modern standards:
-
All aluminium smelters and 7 alumina refineries are certified in line with the
ISO 14001 (environmental management).
-
An integrated corporate management system is being established for the
management of environmental issues and risks.
-
UC RUSAL became the first Russian company to complete the monitoring and
analysis of greenhouse gas emissions (i.e. perfluorochemicals).
Introduction of cutting-edge technologies complying with modern international
standards:
-
Annually UC RUSAL invests USD 100 million in R& D. Over the next three
years, the total investment into new projects and the modernization of current
production capacities will amount to over USD 10 billion.
-
In-house energy-efficient reduction technologies – RA 300, RA 400 and RA 500 –
are being developed and implemented at production sites.
-
Soederberg reduction technology is being further upgraded.
-
Introduction of environmentally friendly technologies and modernization of
plants, which will enable the company to reduce emissions by one and a half
times.
-
Cells with vertical inert anodes are currently under development.
-
A new technology, with pre-baked anodes working at high current density, is
being tested.
Introduction of environmentally friendly technologies and modernisation of
existing smelters will allow the company to reduce its direct greenhouse gas
emissions across its smelters by 50%.
Making well-balanced decisions on environment-related issues:
-
Establishment of the National Carbon Compact Partnership.
-
Commitment to the voluntary objectives aimed at the reduction of greenhouse gas
emissions.
-
Participation in international initiatives, such as UN Global Compact and its
10 principles.
-
Commitment to the voluntary objectives of the International Aluminium Institute
to increase the proportion of bauxite mining land recycled annually.
-
Efforts to comply with international requirements of the Stockholm Convention
on Persistent Organic Pollutants.
-
Compliance with RSPP “Russian business charter”.
-
Compliance with the Kyoto Protocol to minimize climate change.
-
Signing of a memorandum between UC RUSAL and the United Nations Development
Program regarding a preparatory project designed to accelerate greenhouse gas
emissions reduction efforts amongst industrial companies.
Rational use of natural resources:
-
Hydropower is the most environmentally friendly energy source and satisfies 80%
of UC RUSAL’s energy demand for aluminium production.
UC RUSAL places great emphasis on assessing the impact its activities have on
the environment; the safeguarding of nature reserves; environmental awareness
and cooperation with the communities within its operational regions.
|
 |
| Krasnoyarsk
AS Modernisation
|
|
 To increase primary aluminium output and reduce pressure on
the environmental, the RUSAL's Engineering and Technology Centre (ETC)
developed a 4-year modernisation project for the Krasnoyarsk Aluminium Smelter.
|
| Sayanogorsk
AS Modernisation
|
|
 In 2003, a modernisation project began at the Sayanogorsk
Aluminium Smelter, which was built in 1985, at a cost of USD 62 mln. The
modernisation includes installation of 18 new pots, increase of amperage,
upgrade of scrubbers and improvement of baked anode production technology. In
February 2004, the first stage of modernisation of the casthouse was completed.
Hydro supplied the Sayanogorsk smelter with ingot casting equipment. In May
2006, a new casting unit was put into operation with the capacity to produce up
to 192,000 tonnes per annum of high-quality extrusion billets.
|
|
Irkutsk AS Modernisation
|
|
 RUSAL is carrying out large-scale modernisation of the Irkutsk
aluminium smelter, which was commissioned in 1962. In 2005, the Irkutsk smelter
launched a project to construct the 5th potline, which will be equipped with
new-generation reduction cells and prebaked anodes. The 300 kA cells have been
designed by SibVAMI. After the commissioning of the new potline, the total
capacity of the smelter will increase by 1.5 times and will stand at 450,000
tpa.
|
|