Moscow, March 16. Domestic aluminium consumption increased by 11% in Russia in 2017, a trend which will continue in 2018 and become a key growth factor of the industry in the medium term. The Aluminium Association will continue to stimulate recovery of internal demand for aluminium products. This was announced at the Annual General Meeting of the Aluminium Association, which took place in Moscow.
It was noted at the meeting that Russia has significant potential for increasing its aluminium consumption, first of all due to the development of technology and launch of new products. The priority development areas include extending the application of aluminium in housing construction and the oil and gas industry, developing the export potential of rolling products and launching products to new markets, expanding the localisation of automotive aluminium products, lifting restrictions on the use of aluminium in the food industry and packaging, organising the production of pure oxide and aluminium hydroxide for catalysts of oil refining and internal combustion engines in Russia, as well as a number of other promising projects in the energy, engineering, construction, automotive, aerospace and consumer goods sectors.
The participants of the meeting discussed the Aluminium Association's strategy for 2018-2022, measures required for developing the aluminium industry, including strengthening the dialogue with authorities, the ability to upgrade equipment and introduce new production technologies and active work with design institutes.
'A lot of work was done within interindustrial cooperation to open a number of significant projects for the economy where aluminium solutions are given priority. However, we have to address new challenges to the development of the Russian aluminium industry, both within the country and in export markets,' said Valentin Trishchenko, Chairman of the Association.