Moscow, March 25. Import substitution, development of domestic production, introduction of innovative technologies — these areas have become major areas for the Russian aluminium industry in 2018. Despite the serious limitations associated with external factors, the industry as a whole managed to achieve high rates of development, implement a number of major projects, update regulations and standards important for the industry.
TOP-5 most noticeable events of 2018:
1) The Action plan for the development of the aluminium industry until 2023 was approved. It provides for increasing the market volume twice to 2.8 million tonnes, creating more than 150 thousand jobs, increasing the export of aluminium products with added value by three times. These measures will double the tax revenues from the industry to the country's budget.
2) One year of operation of the first aluminium bridge in the modern history of Russia installed in the Nishny Novgorod region proved the effectiveness and the need for introduction of large-span structures of this type. Following the pedestrian bridges in Afonino village, aluminium bridge structures appeared in 2018 in Moscow (on the Yauza river) and in Krasnoyarsk on the eve of the Universiade. Long service life, low maintenance costs for the bridges, and ease of installation have drawn attention of representatives of many Russian regions to this project to consider the possible implementation of the successful experience of the Nishny Novgorod region and the Krasnoyarsk krai in their territories.
3) The initiative of the Aluminium Association to ensure protection of the Russian market from imported counterfeit products have reduced the number of companies that issued certificates of conformity for wheels almost three times. This made it possible to reduce imports of substandard products (imports from China decreased by 26%) directly affecting the safety of drivers and passengers. These measures allowed increasing the domestic production of wheels by 9% compared to 2017 and exports to the EAEU countries by more than 20%.
4) For the first time in a long period, the domestic industry presented the Russian limousine called 'Kortezh'. It drove Vladimir Putin to the place of the inauguration ceremony. Leading engineers of NAMI, Bauman University etc. have developed the UMP (Unified Modular Platform) project, which is planned to be used to produce a series of AURUS cars. Exclusively for the Kortezh limousine, the AA members — К&K and SKAD produced 20-inch light alloy wheels using the innovative Flow Forming technology.
5) The IdeAL Interior contest organised by the Aluminium Association with the support of the Association of Furniture and Woodworking Enterprises and the Union of Designers of Russia became the first contest in Russia for the best design of aluminium furniture. Modern technologies of production, painting, and combining aluminium with other materials allow designers of furniture fittings to apply the most bold ideas to create products that will be in high demand in the furniture market.