Moscow, June 18, 2008 – UC RUSAL, the world’s largest aluminium and alumina producer, has announced plans to invest more than USD 2 million to find the best new applications for aluminium and to develop innovative products. As part of this Global Technology and Innovation Research Project UC RUSAL and the International Aluminium Institute (IAI) are inviting leading universities and research centers from around the world to apply for the funding of innovative research projects.љ


Over the next three years, the Global Technology and Innovation Project will select the most ground breaking ideas and research projects, with the aim of expanding the use of aluminium. New applications will be developed where the unique features of the metal could bring environmental benefits, improve energy efficiency, optimize use of resources, encourage recycling, and create secure packaging and transportation methods. Up to 10 research projects will receive funding. The budget for each project will be determined on case by case basis depending on the timing and complexity of the proposal. Most of the new applications will come to the market in the next 3 to 7 years.


UC RUSAL, the IAI and independent expert, Professor Thomas Graedel from the Yale University, will act as the selection committee to choose up to three of the most promising projects to be granted funding in 2009.


Funding will be made to those projects that can deliver innovations and new ideas for the use of aluminium to develop commercially marketable products in transport. In 2009, building and construction will be the project topic and in 2010 the research focus will be packaging.


UC RUSAL and IAI are inviting leading universities and research centres in America, Asia, Australia, Europe and Russia to participate in the initiative. The deadline for the submission of research proposals is 30 September 2008. More detailed information on the criteria and application procedures are available on the corporate web sites of UC RUSAL at http://www.rusal.ru/en/gtip.aspx љand IAI at http://www.world-aluminium.org/news/Latest+news


About UC RUSAL:


United Company RUSAL (www.rusal.com) is the global leader in the aluminium industry, accounting for approximately 12% and 15% of global production of aluminium and alumina respectively. The company was founded in March 2007 through the merger of RUSAL, SUAL, and the alumina assets of Glencore. UC RUSAL sells its products in 70 countries worldwide and employs 100,000 people in 19 countries, across 5 continents


About International Aluminium Institute (IAI)


The International Aluminium Institute (IAI) is the global forum of the world's aluminium producers. The Institute has 26 Member companies and they are represented on the IAI Board of Directors by their CEO's. Together the IAI Member Companies represent more than 70% of world primary aluminium production.


About Prof Thomas E Graedel


Thomas E. Graedel is currently Clifton R. Musser Professor of Industrial Ecology, Professor of Chemical Engineering, Professor of Geology and Geophysics and Director of the Center for Industrial Ecology at Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies and is a fellow of Pierson College.љ He was elected to the U.S. National Academy of Engineering for “outstanding contributions to the theory and practice of industrial ecology, 2002.” His research is centered on developing and enhancing industrial ecology, the organizing framework for the study of the interactions of the modern technological society with the environment. His current interests include studies of the flows of materials within the industrial ecosystem and the development of analytical tools to assess the environmental characteristics of products, processes, the service industry, and urban infrastructures.