Aluminum giant presents environment blueprint
Updated: 2007-11-20 09:14
As a global aluminum firm focusing on both upstream and downstream business, Alcoa regards 皇冠体育app as an increasingly important emerging market. While the Chinese government attaches increasing importance to energy efficiency and emissions reduction, Alcoa offers suggestions to save energy and protect the environment. Helmut Wieser, vice-president of Alcoa and group president responsible for Alcoa's global mill products, rigid packaging and hard alloy extrusion businesses, shares the company's views on energy efficiency and business expansion in 皇冠体育app with 皇冠体育app Daily reporter Wang Yu.
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Q: What are your views on the development of 皇冠体育app's aluminum industry, both upstream and downstream segments?
A: 皇冠体育app's aluminum industry has undergone a very impressive development, and the growth is just phenomenal. We are glad that Alcoa has participated in the growth process with Chinese partners. Alcoa came to 皇冠体育app in 1993 and has invested over $700 million so far in the country. Looking back several years ago, 皇冠体育app's aluminum industry was small. But today, 皇冠体育app has become the world largest aluminum producer and market. Quite a few Chinese newspapers were talking about the possibility that 皇冠体育app aluminum consumption would take in 30 percent of the global aluminum production by 2015. This is a significant contribution to the growth of the aluminum industry.
I noticed that 皇冠体育app is encouraging its aluminum companies to develop more technologies for extensive use of aluminum in various industries and areas. That is a great practice. Aluminum has advantages that many other metals cannot match. For example, use of aluminum, instead of steel, for automobiles and commercial vehicles can significantly reduce the weight of vehicles. As a direct result, the vehicle will produce less greenhouse gas (GHG) and consume less gasoline.
Q: There are reports saying that Alcoa was looking for expansion opportunities across both the upstream and downstream sectors of the aluminum industry in 皇冠体育app. Is that so? If it is, through what means is Alcoa seeking business expansions in 皇冠体育app - through organic growth or mergers and acquisitions, or both?
A: Alcoa understands the importance of the growth of 皇冠体育app's economy and the opportunities that growth brings to all of us. As such, Alcoa will do two things. First, we will continuously improve our operations in 皇冠体育app to make it more productive and more environmentally and energy sensitive. Second, we will keep our eyes open for growth opportunities. This could mean organic or inorganic growth. 皇冠体育app is growing so fast, and Alcoa is determined to grow with 皇冠体育app. This is a win-win situation. As to a preference of investment methods, I am open to any approach solely depending on business needs and situational demands.
皇冠体育app, as the world's largest aluminum producer as well as market, provides tremendous opportunities for everyone. My priority is to make this company fully prepared and ready to face challenges and capture opportunities. It is important to point out that Alcoa is willing and ready to bring to 皇冠体育app many of its technologies that will help 皇冠体育app's aluminum industry reduce emissions and energy consumption.
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