Alcan advancing with environmental projects

The Ouro Preto aluminum smelter, part of the Brazilian division of Canadian aluminum giant Alcan (NYSE: AL), is reaping the benefits of recent environmental investments, according to a company newsletter. In September, modules three and four of a dry scrubber at the plant in Minas Gerais state began operations. All eight modules are due to be working by March 2006, eliminating 99% of gas emissions. The company invested 63.8mn reais (US$16.2mn) in the equipment. The unit has also invested 1.45mn reais to revamp three ovens in its alumina line, cutting back gas emissions from that area. The Ouro Preto smelter also aims to process 16,000t of residues this year, up from 12,000t in 2002. "What is waste for us can be useful for other industries. Our option has been to send residues to cement companies," said Valter Jose Goncalves, technician responsible for the area. Lastly, the company invested 580,000t to double water treatment unit. The unit has installed capacity of 51,000t/y aluminum.