ALRO signed an agreement with Aluminium Pechiney (Rio Tinto Aluminium) to implement the AP12LE Technology at the plant in Slatina

Slatina, 9 May 2018 - ALRO S.A. (BSE: ALR, "Company" or "ALRO"), one of the largest vertically integrated aluminium producers, by capacity in Europe and Aluminium Pechiney part of Rio Tinto Aluminium (“RTA”), reached an agreement in April 2018 to implement at Slatina a new low energy reduction pot design (AP12LE) that will allow ALRO to reduce the amount of electricity needed to produce aluminium.

“Over the past 15 years we placed a strong emphasis on investments to increase the operational efficiency and reducing the energy consumption has always been a significant part of this programme”, said Gheorghe Dobra, CEO ALRO. “While the past investments helped us become one of the most efficient aluminium smelters in Europe, we still need fine tuning solutions to further lower the electricity consumption. We are confident that this agreement signed with RTA will support our operational efficiency plans and will get us closer to our goal of becoming a Green Factory, Next Generation Factory, Innovating and Sustainable”.

Under this agreement, in September 2018 the actual construction of the reduction pots according to the new AP12LE design will be initiated. This project aims at reducing the specific energy consumption by approximately 300 kWh/tonne of aluminium, while maintaining the current production. The AP12LE technology targets an energy consumption below 13 kWh/tonne, from an average of 13.28 kWh/tonne from the AP9 pots type currently in use at ALRO, while maintaining current efficiency at its current level (more than 95.5%). The AP12LE pots design is based on the “Technology Brick" approach, developed by RTA and using new relining materials, new cathodes and metallic bar assemblies and slotted anodes.

Modernization of the plant will take place in stages, in compliance with the pot repair schedule, and will not impact the production of aluminium. The AP Technology™ experts from Rio Tinto will provide technical assistance both during construction, as well as during the operation of the new AP12LE pots.

Transition from the current pot design will start in 2019 and will follow the natural relining speed of all pots from ALRO during next eight years. By implementing the AP12LE project, ALRO aims at becoming part of the top ten world’s most efficient energy consumers in relation to the tonne of primary aluminium produced (except China).

 “ALRO AP12LE project is representative of the benefits AP Technology™ solutions can bring to a smelter,” said Philippe Bourdage, General Manager Technology & Product Development RTA.“It took one year from the beginning of our study to define the best design to meet ALRO’s objectives and proceed with this project. Our Technology team is now fully mobilized to deliver the AP12LE and support ALRO during its implementation.”

This project is part of ALRO’s long term programme to reduce energy consumption, while increasing the overall production, as well as the output of higher added value aluminium products. Last year, the Company invested over RON 142 million for technological upgrading, operational efficiency and customer portfolio expansion.

For more information, please see: www.alro.ro

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Notes to the Editors:

ALRO S.A.

ALRO is subsidiary of Vimetco N.V., a global, vertically-integrated primary and processed aluminium producer.. ALRO is one of the largest vertically integrated aluminium producers, by capacity in Europe with an installed production capacity of 265,000 tpa.

The main markets for ALRO products are the European Union and the Company exports its products to the USA and Asia, as well. ALRO is ISO 9001 certified for quality management and has NADCAP and EN 9100 certificates for aerospace production organizations. ALRO’s products adhere to the quality standards for primary aluminium on the LME, as well as international standards for flat rolled products.

Rio Tinto

Rio Tinto is a leading global mining group that focuses on finding, mining and processing the Earth’s mineral resources. Our goal is to deliver strong and sustainable shareholder returns from our portfolio of world-class assets and our compelling pipeline of projects. We take a long-term, disciplined approach, developing and running long-life, low-cost, expandable operations that are capable of delivering value throughout the cycle.

Rio Tinto's business is finding, mining, and processing mineral resources. Major products are aluminium, copper, diamonds, energy (coal and uranium), gold, industrial minerals (borax, titanium dioxide, salt) and iron ore. Activities span the world but are strongly represented in Australia and North America with significant businesses in South America, Asia, Europe and southern Africa.