Aluminij today

Today, Aluminij d.d. Mostar is a solid stock company whose capital structure, according to the court registry from 1997, amounts exactly:  64% of shareholding, 24% of the state share and 12% of the foreign share. There are approximately 900 employees and we achieve an annual export which exceeds €150 million.

With the introduction of integrated computer system and new technologies, the quality of our products was improved. A significant step was taken on the establishment of quality systems, environmental protection, as well as workers, which is an example of successful and modern ways of production and operations. Extensive network of business collaboration includes some of the world's most prestigious names in the aluminum industry, such as Aminco Resources LLC, Enital Trading srl, Fives Solios, Glencore International AG, Hertwich Engineering, Hydro ASA, Outotec GmbH, Rain CII Carbon LLC, Wagstaff Inc., etc. This is the obvious evidence that the quality and purity of the Mostar metal is among the best in the world.

In mid-2002, we completed the first major project of the modernization of the Aluminij facilities. In this visionary initiative of the new technologies introduction and the production system upgrading, the company invested €150 million, and since then Aluminij can equally compete with the world's leading producers, despite the destructions caused by the war. Production had also been increased by 30 percent, while the expenses on consumption of electricity and raw materials were significantly reduced.

The crucial importance of the constant smelter modernization is clearly demonstrated by the fact that before the War in Bosnia and Herzegovina there were approximately 3,400 workers in Aluminij producing 92,000 tons of metal per year, while today 900 of employees produce 130,000 tons of primary aluminum and aluminum products. The best results of the boldly implemented modernization projects within Aluminij reflected during 2009, 2010 and 2011, when Aluminij survived one of the world's largest economic and financial crises.

Aluminij has been working hard from the beginning, building and upgrading, its own production capabilities and achievements, as well as the surrounding society as a whole, continually investing in economy improvements and ennobling its environment and constantly keeping track of the world's technological developments and achievements.

One of such ideas is the project of the new electrolysis plant construction which would almost double the production of primary aluminum. Also, for a few years now Aluminij has been workingon the idea to build its own source of energy.

With equal enthusiasm Aluminij also supports the aluminum-based projects of production and processing with small and medium enterprises which may be bearers of the regional development throughout the country. With its success and image in public, Aluminij spreads across the world a new, improved image of this region and it simultaneously opens the door of multi-million markets for other companies from Bosnia and Herzegovina as well, regardless of the type of activity.

Feasibility study for a new electrolysis plant construction in Aluminij showed the justification of such project. After the expert observations and analysis by the local and international experts on the electricity price portion in the cost of the metal, the privatization process, modernization and introduction of new technologies and environmental and human safety, as well as new market possibilities, it has been concluded that there is scope for the new electrolysis project within our smelter.

Besides creating new jobs, the new electrolysis plant would also bring significant benefits to the Port of Ploče, railway companies, transportation companies, various companies, and the budget  of the Herzegovina-Neretva Canton, the Federation BiH and the whole state. This is a significant contribution to exports increase and reduction of the negative foreign trade difference between revenues and expenditures of BiH, unemployment reduction and the life quality improvement. For example, at the moment there are approximately 40,000 people who make living from Aluminij, directly or indirectly. The first stage of the new electrolysis project started with installation of a vibrocompactor within Anode Plant on August 7^th 2006. Installation of vibrocompactor cost € 40 million and this modernization  also  included full modification of anode bake furnace and the control and supervision system of an anode baking which continued in 2011 with installation of the latest ARTS (Anode & Rod Tracking System) by the German Outotec. In addition to output increase, the product quality was achieved, as well as the overall safety of production, protection of environment and workers. Considerable funds have constantly been invested in improvement of workspace within Electrolysis and Cast House Plant which was listed among the top six in the world was by the leading world experts. For example, with the project of modern crucible cleaning machine installation within Electrolysis Plant, noise level and dust emissions in the workspace and environment were significantly reduced.

We are also working on the further development and increasing of the fumes suction from electrolytic cells, and in some production facilities in Anode Plant and Cast House Plant we have replaced fuel oil with natural gas which reduced emissions into the environment by as much as 90% compared to the previous situation. Aluminij modernized its compressor station, and in Casthouse there is a new ongoing, sixth million euros worth, phase of modernization, i.e., installation of the casting furnaces with capacity of 50 tons, and the new casting line for small alloy ingots. In this way we have been preparing for a new electrolysis plant of the Mostar aluminium smelter.