RUSAL’s 2024 had its own ups and downs, but it was a year of innovation, resilience and sustainability

RUSAL has cemented its position as the successor to the Russian and Soviet aluminium industry, consolidating leading facilities, innovative research, and cutting-edge technologies. Operating across four strategic business units—aluminium, alumina, energy, and mining and metals—the company's core segments, as highlighted in the H1 2024 report, remain aluminium and alumina. As 2024 comes to a close, we examine the industrial giant’s performance, milestones, and challenges.

A legacy of leadership
The roots of Russia’s aluminium industry trace back to 1885 when A. Novoveisky established the country’s first aluminium smelter in Sergiev Posad. Significant breakthroughs followed, including the Bayer method of alumina production in 1889 and the launch of the Soviet Union’s first aluminium smelter in Volkhov in 1932. By the mid-20th century, major developments included the construction of the Bratsk Aluminium Smelter in 1966, then the world’s largest, and the state-of-the-art Sayanogorsk Smelter in 1985.

Post-Soviet advancements led to the formation of Siberian Aluminium in the 1990s, which later merged with Millhouse Capital in 2000 to form RUSAL. Through strategic acquisitions and technological advancements like the RA-300 and RA-400 reduction cells, RUSAL solidified its position as a global leader. Despite challenges like the 2008 financial crisis and US sanctions in 2018, the company continues to innovate, exemplified by its ALLOW 'green' aluminium and environmentally friendly technologies.

Key Achievements in 2024

• COP29 innovation: RUSAL unveiled a digital platform to facilitate resource sharing, networking, and best practice exchanges. Elena Myakotnikova, Chief Sustainability Officer, highlighted its role in enhancing international collaboration and sustainability efforts.
• Pioneering carbon unit deals: In a landmark transaction within the BRICS framework, RUSAL’s carbon units, issued in the Russian registry, were acquired by the Arab investment fund Equity International. Gazprombank organised the deal, announced during the BRICS Business Forum in Moscow, showcasing the company’s leadership in climate solutions.
• Ultra-low-carbon aluminium: RUSAL supplied ALLOW INERTA™ metal, the industry’s lowest carbon footprint aluminium, to an Asian tier-1 OEM supplier for aluminium wheels. This innovation significantly reduced the product’s environmental impact.
• Industrial AI integration: The company successfully tested a neural network model for electrolysis control, enhancing productivity by optimising the chemical composition of electrolytes in aluminium smelting. This proprietary development underscores RUSAL’s commitment to technological advancement.
• Revolutionising Transportation: RUSAL initiated the development of an aluminium-alloy metro car, reducing its weight by 2 tonnes compared to steel alternatives. This innovation promises energy savings and lower infrastructure costs.

Production Performance