Following the investments made in the past six years, Alro Slatina increased its production capacity from 180,000 tons to 230,000 tons a year.
“We needed some 400 MW to increase the production capacity by a further 200,000 tons, but this was not available. This is why we decided to build the Magurele thermal power plant in partnership with Interagro,” said Wuest.
The Magurele plant will ensure Alro’s electricity, an investment worth €1.5-1.6 billion, and could be the largest private greenfield investment in Romania.
Vimetco decided to expand to China last year. Wuest indicated that the plant in China produces 420,000 tons of aluminum and will produce 700,000 tons as of 2009. The Chinese workforce is up to five times cheaper than that in Romania. According to Wuest, bauxite could be processed in Romania as of 2010, when the Alum Tulcea plant could be restarted.
