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## Growing Presence 

Growing Alcoa operations in Romania include two AFL Automotive plants that produce wire harnesses for the automotive market. These facilities increasingly are involved in their communities through Alcoa Foundation grants and employee volun- teerism. Alcoa’s European Extruded & End Products business now is building an extrusion facility in north- west Romania to serve European commercial and residential building and construction markets. 

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## Refinery Studied 

Alcoa World Alumina and Chemicals is a lead partner in a project exploring possible joint development of an alumina refinery with the Government of the Republic of Guinea. A feasibility study should be completed in 2005. The study includes community consultations. 

## Acquisition in Russia 

Alcoa completed its acquisition from RusAL of two fabricating facilities in Samara and Belaya Kalitva in the Russian Federation. The Company plans to invest capital and tech- nology in the plants in 2005, while also investing and training to make the operations consis- tent with those of other Alcoa operations and strengthen their competitive position. 

## Waste vs. Waste 

Alcoa’s Kwinana, Australia, alumina refinery reduced the need for ongoing manage- ment of closed bauxite residue storage areas using waste carbon dioxide (CO$_{2}$) from a nearby industrial facility. Mixing high concentration CO$_{2}$ with bauxite residue before it is deposited in drying beds creates a more benign bauxite waste. 

## New Plant in China 

Alcoa Closure Systems Inter- national opened a new plant in Hangzhou, its second plant in China. The facility presently produces plastic closures, primarily for export to bever- age producers in Japan. 

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