March 27 2008 : Sarawak Aluminium Company (SALCO) will adopt one of the world’s most energy efficient, ecologically friendly and advanced aluminium smelting technologies for its proposed RM7 billion aluminium smelter at Similajau, 60 km north of Bintulu, Malaysia.

Cahya Mata Sarawak Berhad (CMS) and leading aluminium producer Rio Tinto Alcan (RTA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with French technology developer Aluminium Pechiney (a subsidiary on Rio Tinto Alcan) for the supply of AP36 technology for the SALCO smelter. AP36 is one of the world’s most advanced aluminium smelting production technologies available today.

According to CMS Group Managing Director Dato’ Richard Curtis, CMS’ and Rio Tinto Alcan’s selection of the AP36 production technology is in line with SALCO’s commitment to uphold world class environment, community, health and safety practices.

“The AP36 technology is one of the aluminium industry’s ‘cleanest’ technologies available, with very low greenhouse gas emission levels and consumption of raw materials and energy. Choosing such technology is an integral part of SALCO’s goal to minimize its environmental impact,” he said.

“SALCO is committed to ensuring that producing aluminium, a metal the world cannot live without, here in Sarawak is done in a sustainable and socially responsible manner,” said Dato’ Richard.

The MoU was signed during the launch of the Sarawak Corridor of Renewal Energy (SCORE) in Bintulu on 11 February 2008 with the exchange of documents witnessed by the Prime Minister of Malaysia and the Chief Minister of Sarawak.

Rio Tinto Alcan’s General Manager for Smelter Project Development, Matt Liddy, said Aluminium Pechiney’s AP36 technology offered outstanding production performance, as well as reduced construction time and rapid start up.

“Backed by 30 years of intensive research, Pechiney is renowned in the aluminium industry as being a leader in reduction cell technology. AP36 technology has an excellent record in terms of reliability and productivity, energy efficiency and sustainability. It is one of the industry’s most bankable and dependable technologies,” Mr Liddy said.

Mr Liddy added that continuous research and development by Rio Tinto Alcan is expected to enable further increases in production in the future, ensuring ongoing efficiency and productivity improvements in AP36 potlines which will be built at the SALCO Smelter.