New Aluminium mill for Kentucky
(Posted on 18/04/19)
RUSAL, one of the leading global aluminium producers, and Braidy Industries Inc., a US base holding company which owns both Veloxint, an MIT-incubated lightweighting solutions company, and NanoAl, a Northwestern University incubated materials research and technology company, have announced an intent to establish a joint project in Ashland, Kentucky, USA to produce flat rolled aluminium products for the US automotive industry.
The design capacity of the rolling mill will amount to 500 thousand tons of hot rolled band and 300 thousand tons of fully finished cold rolled products on an annual basis. It will be the widest US-based cold rolling mill with a width of 104 inches. The output from the mill will aid towards rebalancing the anticipated deficit of the auto body sheet in the US market.
The mill will operate with state-of-the art equipment provided by industry leaders. This will ensure market leadership whilst providing a sustainable competitive advantage in the long term.
RUSAL will supply aluminium (both in slab alloys and as a primary metal) for the new rolling mill from its new Taishet aluminium smelter that is currently under construction in Siberia. Delivering value added products (“VAP”) to the new Kentucky mill is consistent with RUSAL’s commitment to increase the share of its VAP offerings as part of the Company’s total production and sales.
In exchange for its investment RUSAL will earn a 40% share. Braidy Industries will keep the balance 60%. The project debt will be raised from several financial institutions. Both RUSAL and Braidy Industries intend to approach financial markets for funding after signing the Letter of Intent.
RUSAL and Braidy Industries have entered into an exclusive Letter of Intent which details the commercial conditions for the joint venture alongside providing details for any future negotiations going forward. The binding documentation for the Project is expected to be signed during the second quarter of 2019 after the final decision about the implementation of the Project is made.
The demand for flat rolled products in North America has demonstrated the robust growth over the past 5 years and this will continue above average rates all over the world, especially in the automotive sector. The key driver of this demand growth is the Corporate Average Fuel Economy regulations (CAFE) that cause an increase and immediate switch from the original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) to aluminium-based components. The chosen location of the mill that will be in close proximity to a large number of automotive supply manufacturers will ensure efficient transportation of the finished products.
The joint project with Braidy Industries is an excellent opportunity for RUSAL to expand the Company’s diverse expertise in one of the key areas of aluminium downstream products. It will also reinforce the Company’s presence on the strategic market.
RUSAL is the leader of the global aluminium industry. In 2018, the Company accounted for about 5.8% of global production of aluminium and 6.2% of alumina production. The Company employs about 62,000 people RUSAL's offices are operating in 20 countries all over the world and across 5 continents.
Latest News
Metso expansion in Antofagasta elevates support for Chilean mining
(Posted on 15/08/25)Metso has completed the expansion of its service centre in Antofagasta, Chile, reinforcing its ability... Read more
Alcoa explores feasibility of gallium critical mineral production in WA
(Posted on 11/08/25)Alcoa of Australia Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Alcoa Corporation has announced a Joint Development... Read more
Rio Tinto releases new tailings facilities disclosure
(Posted on 11/08/25)Rio Tinto has published detailed information on its global tailings facilities, in alignment with the... Read more
NGFA applauds Senate confirmation of Lindberg as USDA trade undersecretary
(Posted on 04/08/25)The National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA) has commended the U.S. Senate for confirming Luke... Read more
Cargill to acquire Mig-Plus, expanding animal nutrition business in Brazil
(Posted on 04/08/25)Cargill, one of the world’s leading food providers, continues to advance its growth strategy in... Read more
Resilient financial results as Rio Tinto grows and diversifies
(Posted on 30/07/25)Rio Tinto has announced a 6% production year-on-year uplift, thereby delivering on strategy through... Read more
K-SURE and Trafigura $200m financing agreement to support Korean shipping
(Posted on 30/07/25)The Korea Trade Insurance Corporation (K-SURE) and Trafigura, a global leader in the commodities industry... Read more
BHP record copper and iron ore production drives strong 2025 performance
(Posted on 21/07/25)BHP have released their Operational Review for the year ended 30 June 2025.BHP Chief Executive Officer... Read more
Dynamic Mining shipping arm and GeoServe’s one-year milestone
(Posted on 15/07/25)A strategic collaboration between Icon Gulf Trading DMCC (part of the Dynamic Group) and GeoServe Energy... Read more
SSAB and Metal Solutions start partnership in fossil-free steel
(Posted on 15/07/25)SSAB and Metal Solutions have entered a long-term partnership for the supply of decarbonized steel with... Read more
