The expert assessed the prospects of cooperation between Russia and the United States in the aluminum industry

"The strategic choice of the aluminum industry in such a complex issue as the restoration of relations with the United States is, of course, a reasonable choice. Rare earth metals projects are also included. With at least 10% of the world's reserves, Russia accounts for only 1% of global production. So the implementation of such projects would provide undeniable advantages in such an important development of Siberia for Russia," the expert noted.

According to him, Russia is one of the leading aluminum powers, and domestic aluminum is competitive on the global market, in particular due to its environmental and climatic characteristics. "The Russian giant Rusal, despite its roller-coaster economy, has been able to not only maintain but also develop its competencies and increase its capacity over the past 25 years, turning into a processing company with a high level of conversion. Especially against the background of the changes that have taken place in the global market, where China clearly holds the palm," Sviridenko said.

He believes that aluminum is one of the strategic metals "in the race for a strong economy of the future." "This is confirmed by reports from leading think tanks in the United States, the European Union and other countries. Aluminum is one of the main materials used to conquer the sky and space, in the production of electric vehicles, in solar energy, green construction, food industry, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering," the expert stated.

At the same time, aluminum production technology is extremely energy-intensive. "Siberia with its Angara-Yenisei Cascade is a natural treasure that provides green energy for such large consumers as the aluminum industry," Sviridenko emphasized.

The executive director of the Stolypin Institute of Growth Economics recalled that Rusal, when it was still headed by Oleg Deripaska, "revived the seemingly impossible project of the Boguchansk Energy and Metallurgical Association (BEMO), combining hydroelectric power plants and an aluminum plant in Boguchany," and also built the Khakass and Taishetsky plants, ensuring synergy between energy and metallurgy..

On Thursday, February 24, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Russia and the United States could consider working together on aluminum production. For example, in the Krasnoyarsk Territory, where investments in the project are estimated at $15 billion.

"We could think about working together with American companies in this area. For example, in the Krasnoyarsk Territory, back in Soviet times, there were plans to build a new hydroelectric power station and create additional aluminum production facilities," the head of state recalled.