19.10.2022

‘Modern challenges as new opportunities in the production of aluminium alloy products’ — this was the theme of the 8th Scientific and Practical Conference organised at the site of Kamensk-Uralsky Metallurgical Works (KUMZ). Representatives from more than 30 Russian R&D, industrial and logistics companies and organisations, including end users of aluminium semi-finished products and distributors of aluminium products, took part in the conference, which was held on October 13–14.

Welcoming remarks were made by representatives of the organisers of the conference, Alexander Skornyakov, Chairman of the Board of Directors, and Mikhail Nenyukov, CEO. In their speeches, they stressed the need for direct dialogue with partners.

The company’s specialists spoke about the production of new products at the newly commissioned rolling complex. Examples of successful product development and market promotion include the production of aluminium alloy 5083 plates and sheets for shipbuilding, aluminium alloy 1581 sheets for transport engineering and aluminium alloy 5005A sheets and strips for the construction industry. Products made from these alloys are characterised by high strength and anti-corrosion properties. Advanced aluminium alloys developed at the Institute of Lightweight Materials and Technology (ILMiT) are used to produce innovative products, including in cooperation with KUMZ.

Particular attention was paid to the company’s product range and its answers to the challenges of the 21st century. Denis Selivanov, Acting Commercial Director of KUMZ, spoke in detail about the plant’s development of specialised aluminium semi-finished products, modernisation of equipment, improvement of technology and development of new alloys. He also spoke about current projects at KUMZ in the field of machining. Combining the production of semi-finished products and pre-processing in one company enables the consumer to reduce labour costs, lower logistics costs, guarantee protection against counterfeit raw materials, and enables the producer to use its own waste in new production.

KUMZ introduced its own waterjet cutting line to cut slabs more than ten years ago, and since then the company has been regularly involved in the supply of billets. In 2022, KUMZ took this a step further and set up an area consisting of a vertical lathe and a 5-axis milling machine. The new site will enable in-house machining of forgings, forged parts and other products, and all materials can be heat-treated, if necessary, at the company’s own facilities after machining.

Participants praised the work of the conference and agreed on the importance of exchanging views and discussing the most topical issues of the industry.