Shandong starts construction of China's largest aluminum extrusion plant

Yangkuang Ke-Au Aluminum Ltd. (YKA), an aluminum smelter based in eastern China’s Shandong Province, officially commenced construction on a 2.825 billion yuan (US$414.7 million) aluminum extrusion project in June. The 140,000-ton project, featuring 18 aluminum extrusion lines, will be the largest of its kind in China. The company expects construction to finish in about 36 months. YKA is aiming its sights on the high-end aluminum product market, which covers shipbuilding, high-speed railway and aircraft manufacturing sectors, and will mainly fabricate high-performance large section profiles, tubes, bars and other aluminum products. The company is a joint venture between leading state-owned coal producer Shandong Yankuang Group and an Australian company. (June 17/27, 2008)