Alina Oprea • 29 June, 2023 at 12:30 PM
ALRO SA, one of Europe's largest vertically integrated aluminum producers, measured by production capacity, inaugurated an $11 million investment in technology and environment protection at its Eco Recycling Facility in Slatina. The Company installed two double-chamber furnaces, one holding furnace, and a dedicated fume collection and treatment plant. The recycling capacity of the company increased by 60.000 tpa, following the installation of two double-chamber furnaces, one holding furnace, and the related fume collection and treatment plant. The state-of-the-art technology will also positively impact the environment, maintaining ALRO's emissions below the levels approved at the EU level.
"While the very challenging business environment forced us to adapt our development plans to maintain our position on the international market, one strategic direction remained unchanged, namely our commitment to increase efficiency and reduce overall consumption, and the investment in the Eco Recycling Facility supports these plans. We are determined to continue our efforts to diversify our products portfolio, increase efficiency and reduce environmental footprint”, said Marian Năstase, Chairman of ALRO Board of Directors.
In 2013, ALRO commissioned the ECO Recycling Facility (stage I), consisting of one double chamber furnace, one induction furnace, one holding furnace and the related fume collection and treatment plant, aiming at providing part of the molten aluminium from alternative sources, partially replacing the aluminium produced by electrolysis.
The electricity consumption in the aluminium scrap recycling process is 95% lower than the one recorded for electrolytic aluminium production, which positively impacts the overall production costs. Furthermore, aluminium can be recycled indefinitely without losing its properties, which makes it an ideal metal for the circular and low-carbon economy.
Pursuing this strategy, at the end of 2023 the recycling capacity of the company is to be increased by approx. 60.000 tpa, following the installation of two double-chamber furnaces, one holding furnace and the related fume collection and treatment plant (stage II). The project represents the first development stage of the Eco recycling capacities. It will sustain ALRO's strategic decision to reduce the dependency on the electric power supply and increase the value-added products.
As a result of these investments, ALRO takes an essential step into a low-emission world, as the company constantly increased the aluminium scrap recycling capacity and will soon reach 100,000 tpa recycled aluminium solid scrap.
The companies part of ALRO Group are: ALRO SA – manufacturer of aluminium, ALUM SA – producer of alumina, Sierra Mineral Holdings I, Ltd. – bauxite mining, Vimetco Extrusion SRL – extrusion business line, Conef SA – holding and management company, Global Aluminium Ltd. – holding company and Bauxite Marketing Ltd – marketing, Vimetco Trading – aluminium sales. Having this structure, the Group created an integrated production chain assuring the raw materials for ALRO.
ALRO is a subsidiary of Vimetco PLC (Republic of Cyprus), a global, vertically-integrated primary and processed aluminium producer. The structure of ALRO's shareholders is Vimetco PLC (54.19%), Paval Holding (23.21%), Fondul Proprietatea (10.21%) and others (12.39%). ALRO is one of the largest vertically integrated aluminium producers, by capacity, in Europe, having an installed production capacity of 265,000 tonnes per annum of electrolytic aluminium, 100,000 tonnes per annum of recycled aluminium and the Cast-House has a total cast aluminium capacity of 332,000 tonnes per annum and processing facilities of 140,000 tpa of hot and cold rolling facilities and extrusion shop.
The main market for ALRO products is represented by the European Union; the Company exports its products to the USA and Asia, as well.