Straumsvík- aluminum smelter

The ÍSAL aluminum plant in Straumsvík started production in 1970, then owned by the Swiss company Alusuisse, now by Rio Tinto Alcan Iceland Ltd. HRV Engineering supplied Engineering, Procurement, and Construction Management (EPCM) services for the ISAL Production Upgrade (IPU) project at Straumsvík in Iceland. Verkís is a leading partner in HRV Engineering.

Rio Tinto Alcan is updating equipment, increasing production capacity by 20%, as well as increasing the reliability of the existing power infrastructure. Simultaneously improving the production process in the casthouse to increase the productivity of the plant and increase the effectiveness of air purification equipment. Plant production will be increased by 40.000 tpy with an amperage increase calling for an upgrade of the two potlines, the bath recycling plant, the rodding shop, two new additional Gas Treatment Centers (GTCs), the alumina handling and general plant infrastructure.

The project involves the transformation of the casting from sheet into billets through the conversion of two casting pits and three new continuous homogenizing furnaces, in two steps. Along with risk associated connected with the renewal of alumina handling and drying furnaces in casting.

Verkís services was project management, planning, procurement, including preparing specifications and tender documents, bid review and award, contracts management, construction management, site construction supervision, surveying and testing, civil/structural engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, automation engineering, project controls, feasibility study made by the integrated team.

The Challenge

The Straumsvík Aluminium Smelter has undergone continuous upgrades to increase production capacity, improve operational efficiency and reduce its environmental impact while maintaining safe and reliable operations. The production upgrade programme required the modernisation of critical process, infrastructure and power systems without disrupting ongoing aluminium production.

Our Solution

As a leading partner in HRV Engineering, Verkís delivered comprehensive EPCM services, including project management, multidisciplinary engineering design, procurement, tendering, contract administration, construction management and site supervision. Our work covered civil, structural, mechanical, electrical and automation engineering, supporting upgrades to the potlines, gas treatment centres, casting facilities, alumina handling systems and plant infrastructure.

The upgrade programme increased production capacity by approximately 40,000 tonnes of aluminium per year, while improving process efficiency, environmental performance and the reliability of the plant’s electrical and production systems. Through integrated engineering and project management, Verkís helped deliver a major industrial modernisation project that strengthens the long-term competitiveness and sustainability of one of Iceland’s largest manufacturing facilities.