Vimetco is restarting Alum following a modernisation and upgrading program

Amsterdam, 9 October 2009 – Vimetco, the largest aluminium producer in Central and Eastern Europe, today announces the restarting of Alum, its alumina producer in Tulcea. The refinery undertook an upgrading program that began in February 2007. The reopening of the plant has involved hiring 470 people, meaning that the plant now employs 600 people in total.

“Vimetco continues to pursue its long term strategy despite the global economic downturn. A key element of this strategy involves achieving full vertical integration across the Group’s operations by controlling the entire chain supply, from bauxite to high added value products. Reopening the alumina refinery in Tulcea also means that Alro secures the ongoing production of alumina which facilitates continued aluminium production while ensuring security of supply”, stated Frank Muller, C.E.O. of Vimetco.

The company has replaced part of the existing equipment in order to make the production process more efficient and also to be in compliance with the European norms on environment protection. After the implementation of the upgrading program, the technological flow has been optimized, resulting in competitive production costs.

For further information please contact:

Florenta Ghita
Premium Communication Bucharest
Phone +40 (0)21 411 01 52
Mobile +40 740 063 116
Email florenta.ghita@premiumpr.ro

Notes for Editors:

Alum Tulcea is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Alro SA, the largest aluminium producer in Central and Eastern Europe. Alum has an installed refining capacity for alumina of 600,000 tonnes per year.  ALUM’s shares have been traded on the Bucharest Stock Exchange since 1996.