ST. PETERSBURG, Russia & NEW YORK–Alcoa (NYSE: AA), OJSC RUSNANO and JSC Holding Inter-regional
Distribution Grid Companies (JSC Holding IDGC) signed today a Memorandum
of Intent to establish a joint venture for the development and
production of nano-coatings. The memorandum was signed at the St.
Petersburg International Economic Forum by OJSC RUSNANO Chief Executive
Officer Anatoly Chubais, Alcoa Chairman and CEO Klaus Kleinfeld, and JSC
Holding IDGC Deputy Director General and Technical Director, Boris
Mekhanoshin.
The joint venture will produce a broad range of applications including
anti-icing nano-structured coatings for ground cables, wires and other
components of power transmission lines. The project also includes
production of next-generation wires and cables with improved
conductivity and anti-icing properties for JSC Holding IDGC companies.
Alcoa and RUSNANO joint venture will look to install a pilot production
line for the application of nano-coatings. JSC Holding IDGC, in turn,
will support implementation of corresponding research and development,
tests and certification of new high-tech products.
“It’s well known that icing and rupture of power transmission lines due
to inclement weather conditions is one of the most acute problems for
Russian power engineers,” said Chubais. “We expect our joint development
of nano-coatings for existing power lines and future production of
next-generation cables will fix that problem.”
Kleinfeld added: “Alcoa and its partners RUSNANO and JSC Holding IDGC
offer unique technological and production capacity. Together, we hope to
open new opportunities for the aluminum industry in Russia.”
JSC Holding MRSK Director General, Nickolay Shvets, concluded that last
winter’s “icy rain” were proof of the need for wires with anti-icing
properties. The technology will reduce power outages and increase
service life. “Producing next-generation wires and cables in Russia to
meet the demands of the country’s power distribution grid will be an
important step in improving system reliability of power supply to
consumers,” he said.
About Alcoa
Alcoa is the world’s leading producer of primary and fabricated
aluminum, as well as the world’s largest miner of bauxite and refiner of
alumina. In addition to inventing the modern-day aluminum industry,
Alcoa innovation has been behind major milestones in the aerospace,
automotive, packaging, building and construction, commercial
transportation, consumer electronics and industrial markets. Among the
solutions Alcoa markets are flat-rolled products, hard alloy extrusions,
and forgings, as well as Alcoa® wheels, fastening systems, precision and
investment castings, and building systems in addition to its expertise
in other light metals such as titanium and nickel-based super alloys.
Sustainability is an integral part of Alcoa’s operating practices and
the product design and engineering it provides to customers. Alcoa has
been a member of the Dow Jones Sustainability Index for nine consecutive
years and approximately 75 percent of all of the aluminum ever produced
since 1888 is still in active use today. Alcoa employs approximately
59,000 people in 31 countries across the world.
Alcoa first entered Russia in 1993. In 2005 the company acquired two
Russian largest fabricating facilities: Samara Metallurgical Plant (now
ZAO Alcoa SMZ) and Belaya Kalitva Metallurgical Production Association
(now ZAO AMR). Since 2005 Alcoa has invested over $750 million to
upgrade its Russian facilities.
JSC Holding IDGC is a Russian company operating in power
engineering, which structure unites interregional and regional power
distribution grid companies (MRSK/RSK), institutes of scientific
research and research and development institutes, as well as
construction and sales organizations. 97 branches of MRSK/RSK are
situated in 69 subordinate entities of the Russian Federation. Grids of
10 power grades from 0.4 to 220 kV are in the sphere of JSC IDGC Holding
companies responsibility. The overall length of JSC Holding IDGC
affiliated operating companies’ grids exceeds 2.1 million kilometers.
The Holding IDGC is one of the world’s largest power grid companies in
power distribution grids length and number of consumers. The overall
volume of power transfer in 2010 was 591 billion kW/hour. The IDGC
Holding groups numbers around 190 thousand qualified experts responsible
for reliable and quality transfer and distribution of power, providing
consumers technological involvement services.
OJSC RUSNANO The opened joint stock company RUSNANO was
founded in March 2011 by restructuring of State Corporation “Russian
Corporation of Nanotechnologies”. The OJSC RUSNANO performs the state
policy on development of nanoindustry, being the co-investor of
nanotechnological projects with gross economical or social potential.
100% of OJSC RUSNANO stock is the state property. Anatoliy Chubais was
appointed the OJSC RUSNANO Chief Executive Officer.
The tasks of the State Corporation “Russian Corporation of
Nanotechnologies” on creation of nanotechnological structure and
performing the educational programs are fulfilled by the Foundation of
infrastructural and educational programs, which was also created as a
result of reorganization of the State Corporation. More detail – www.rusnano.com