Moscow, February 28, 2005 — RUSAL, one of the world's leading aluminium producers, today announced the signing of a contract with France's ALSTOM to supply 12 dry gas scrubbing units to RUSAL's Krasnoyarsk smelter. The total cost of the units is 8 mln. euros. The new scrubbers will have the ability to catch up to 99.9% of hydrogen fluoride and dust emissions. The fist gas unit will be installed in 2005.

According to the agreement, ALSTOM will supply 12 ABART gas scrubbing units, that it has developed specifically for application in the aluminium industry. Gas scrubbers are designed to clean the gaseous fluoride and solid particles. The project and all construction at Krasnoyarsk will be supervised by RUSAL's Engineering and Technological Center. This cooperation will be financially advantageous to RUSAL. The dry scrubbers will be installed by RUSAL in cooperation with ALSTOM, as the first step of this cooperation between the two companies.

«By facilitating the entrance of leading Western companies into the Russian market, not only do we reach our own goal of bringing state of the art equipment to RUSAL's plants, but also contribute to the development of Russian regions by bringing direct investments and creating new jobs,»-said Valery Matvienko, RUSAL's managing director, aluminium business, commenting on the cooperation.

Installation of new gas scrubbers is one of five major potroom modernization projects at RUSAL's Krasnoyarsk smelter. The modernization programme also includes transfer to dry anode technology, amperage increase, automation of the reduction process, and prolongation of cells' durability. The programme is to be completed in 2008 and will cost approximately $270 mln. When completed, the modernization will result in an increase in aluminium output by 55 000 tonnes and reduction in emissions — hydrogen fluoride by 50%, tarry matters by 170%, and benzapiline by 150%.

About RUSAL

RUSAL is the third largest primary aluminium producer in the world, formed in March 2000 from the merger of a number of the largest smelters and other aluminium producers located in the CIS. The Company accounts for 75% of Russia's primary aluminium output and 10% of the global primary aluminium output. RUSAL is a fully vertically integrated company with a complete production cycle from bauxite mining and the production of raw materials, to the production of primary metal, semi-products and aluminium-based end products. RUSAL is headquartered in Moscow.

About ALSTOM

ALSTOM is a world-leading energy company and is also a leader in railroad infrastructure. The company operates in the energy market, and also provides services in the areas of railway and sea transportation. ALSTOM also produces electrical devises including powder-gas filters and has supplied over 12 000 tons of equipment to 12 countries worldwide since 1991.

For Mass Media

Vera Kurochkina
Elena Shanina
Press-center@rusal.ru