Alba Potline 5 set to beat start-up target

Bahrain - Alba started up half of its Potline 5 five days ahead of schedule. It energised the entire north portion of the Potline (168 out of 336 pots) in less than 45 days, which means the company is well-positioned to beat its target of completing the start-up in 100 days. The Line 5 Reduction Team is now working towards the 75pc commissioning milestone timed for completion by the end of April. The creation of the fifth potline will expand the company's annual aluminium production by over 300kt, making Alba the largest aluminium smelter in the world outside of Eastern Europe, with a total output of 830ktpy. (Gulf Daily News - 04/14/05)