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- RUSAL’s New Aluminium Technology Boosts Conductivity, Cuts Heavy Metal Impurities
Press-releases
- Main
- Press-center
- Press-releases
- RUSAL’s New Aluminium Technology Boosts Conductivity, Cuts Heavy Metal Impurities
16.01.2025
RUSAL’s New Aluminium Technology Boosts Conductivity, Cuts Heavy Metal Impurities
Moscow, 16 January 2025 – RUSAL, one of the world’s largest aluminium producers, has successfully developed primary aluminium with vanadium levels reduced to trace amounts. This breakthrough in inert anode technology significantly enhances aluminium’s electrical conductivity, making it an ideal material for energy-efficient applications.
For over a century, the global aluminium industry has relied on carbon anodes for electrolysis, which inevitably introduces vanadium and other heavy metals into primary aluminium. Even in small concentrations, these impurities reduce electrical conductivity, affecting efficiency across power grids - from transmission lines to households.
By pioneering inert anode technology, RUSAL has virtually eliminated heavy metal impurities from its aluminium, setting a new industry standard. “Using wire rods made from ‘inert’ aluminium opens new possibilities for our customers,” Alexander Krokhin, Director of the Department for the Development of Foundry Technologies and New Products at RUSAL, said. “With minimal energy losses, this wire rod is a game-changer for energy-saving solutions.”
Previously, reducing vanadium content required costly post-production refining. Now, inert anodes achieve this at the electrolysis stage, simplifying production while improving aluminium purity. “Years of research into inert anode materials have enabled us to tackle key technical and environmental challenges in electrolysis,” Alexander Gusev, Director of the Electrolyzer with Inert Anodes project at RUSAL’s Engineering Department, noted. “This technology minimizes vanadium content and makes aluminium production cleaner and more sustainable.”
In 2017, RUSAL became the world’s first company to conduct industrial testing of electrolyzers with inert anodes. Unlike traditional carbon anodes, which release greenhouse gases, inert anodes generate only oxygen-oering a more environmentally friendly solution for aluminium production.
For over a century, the global aluminium industry has relied on carbon anodes for electrolysis, which inevitably introduces vanadium and other heavy metals into primary aluminium. Even in small concentrations, these impurities reduce electrical conductivity, affecting efficiency across power grids - from transmission lines to households.
By pioneering inert anode technology, RUSAL has virtually eliminated heavy metal impurities from its aluminium, setting a new industry standard. “Using wire rods made from ‘inert’ aluminium opens new possibilities for our customers,” Alexander Krokhin, Director of the Department for the Development of Foundry Technologies and New Products at RUSAL, said. “With minimal energy losses, this wire rod is a game-changer for energy-saving solutions.”
Previously, reducing vanadium content required costly post-production refining. Now, inert anodes achieve this at the electrolysis stage, simplifying production while improving aluminium purity. “Years of research into inert anode materials have enabled us to tackle key technical and environmental challenges in electrolysis,” Alexander Gusev, Director of the Electrolyzer with Inert Anodes project at RUSAL’s Engineering Department, noted. “This technology minimizes vanadium content and makes aluminium production cleaner and more sustainable.”
In 2017, RUSAL became the world’s first company to conduct industrial testing of electrolyzers with inert anodes. Unlike traditional carbon anodes, which release greenhouse gases, inert anodes generate only oxygen-oering a more environmentally friendly solution for aluminium production.
Latest news
05.06.25
RUSAL Starts Commercial Production of New Low-carbon Foundry Alloys for the Automotive Industry
Moscow, 5 June 2025 – RUSAL, one of the world's largest aluminium producers, has launched commercial production of Primary Equivalent Foundry Alloys (PEFA) with post-consumer scrap content for the automotive industry. The project has been realised at Irkutsk Aluminium Smelter along with increasing the share of recycled metal in the alloys that now reaches up to 40%.
27.05.25
RUSAL Invests in Capacity Expansion for Thin Gauge Foils for Food Packaging
Moscow, 27 May 2025 – RUSAL, one of the largest global aluminium producer, is expanding its thin gauge foil capacity for food packaging applications. By upgrading the С-3/2 finishing foil mill, SAYANAL foil plant will be able to increase its thin gauge output by 10-12%, whereas Ural Foil plant, for the first time in its history, is starting to embark on this advanced production.
22.04.25
RUSAL develops aluminum scrap recycling
Krasnoyarsk, April 17, 2025 - RUSAL, one of the world's largest primary aluminum producers, has produced a number of slabs intended for manufacturing of aluminum cans using more than 50% scrap. The Krasnoyarsk Aluminum Smelter project was implemented using metal produced using inert anode technology.
20.03.25
RUSAL is switching its aluminum production to eco-friendly petroleum pitch for the first time in the industry's history
Moscow, March 20, 2025 - RUSAL, one of the world's largest aluminum producers, is for the first time in the industry's history switching its aluminum production to anodes using environmentally friendly petroleum pitch on a commercial scale. Coal tar pitch is traditionally used in anodes during electrolysis all over the world; the industrial use of petroleum pitch, which significantly reduces the emission of harmful substances, was previously considered impossible. RUSAL has invested about 100 million rubles in scientific research and development of petroleum pitch.
14.03.25
RUSAL announces results for the year ended 31 December 2024
Moscow, 15 March 2024 – RUSAL (SEHK: 486; Moscow Exchange: RUAL), a leading global aluminium producer, announces its results for the year ended 31 December 2024.