The Alumina Technology Roadmap

Abstract

In an unprecedented global collaboration, more than 30 international leaders in the alumina refining industry have reached a consensus on the research and development activities needed to address the industry’s technical challenges over the next 20 years. The result of this effort is the Alumina Technology Roadmap, a strategic plan containing a goal-based R&D agenda that can be pursued by both individual companies and collaborative partnerships between companies, government, academia, and other members of the research community. The framework for developing the roadmap was a set of explicit targets for reducing capital and operating costs; improving energy efficiency; enhancing environmental performance, safety, and health; and meeting customer needs. The roadmap was coordinated by AMIRA International, the mineral industry research association, and supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, the Australian Department of Industry, Science, and Resources, The Aluminum Association, Inc., the Australian Aluminium Council, and the Government of Western Australia. An alumina technology committee has been established to serve as a focal point for implementation of the roadmap.