RUSAL is carrying out large-scale modernisation of the Irkutsk Aluminium Smelter, which was commissioned in 1962. The production facility uses the 135-160kA Soderberg technology with vertical self-baking studs.

The first two potrooms of the new potline were launched in February 2008 and the last in April 2010. The new potline has a design capacity of 166,000 tonnes. The total budget of the project is over USD 600 million.

Potline 5 helped to boost the total output of IrkAZ with its new effective capacities from both the economic and the environmental perspective. Having done so, the smelter can disconnect the least effective Potline 2.

Potline 5 of the Irkutsk Aluminium Smelter is built on a new site consisting of two potrooms with a total of 200 cells operated at 300 kAmps. The smelting process is based on an up-to-date pre-baked anode technology which has demonstrated excellent technical and environmental performance. The process is backed by new dry scrubbers capturing 99.5% of fluoride emissions and carbon dust, and also closed-loop water system, a silicon rectifier, anode-rodding facilities and other vital infrastructure.

To meet the needs of the smelter after its output is raised following the commissioning of Potline 5, a new casthouse (Casthouse 3) has been built with a total casting capacity of 165,000 mt annually. The area is equipped with high-performance automated casting lines. The first part of Casthouse 3 was brought into service in September 2009 and now ships commodity metal to customers representing construction, aviation, cable and car manufacturing industries. The design and engineering were performed by the RUSAL's Engineering and Construction Division.

The commissioning of Potline 5 also created as many as 585 new jobs, adding further RUR 143 million to the regional budget in new tax payments. In addition, new power lines and the high-voltage Shelekhovskaya substation, which were built to meet the growing demand for electricity at Potline 5, enhance the reliability of the local power grid.