Ferrochromium plant resumes work in Elbasan

ELBASAN, April 14 – Albanian Chrome ACR has resumed production of high carbon ferrochromium (FeCrHC) at its plant in Elbasan, after completion of rebuilding the plant’s first furnace. Company officials also said two additional furnaces are currently being rebuilt.
Alfred Vangjeli, director of the production of Albanian Chrome ACR in Elbasan said, “ACR had started operating the first furnace for high carbon ferrochromium (FeCrHC) production at the beginning of March. After a three week start-up, the furnace is now running at full capacity”.
The first high carbon ferrochromium (FeCrHC) for shipment was produced in March and exported through Durres to EU.
Albanian Chrome ACR noted that their ferrochromium is considered of good quality in keeping with the requirements of European steel plants. The new technology for ferrochrome production put in place in Elbasan seeks to increase efficiency while consuming less energy. Over 140 employees previously employed at the plant have been rehired. During the last year, while the plant was closed down for its upgrade all employees were paid 50 percent of their salary.
“Albanian Chrome ACR decided to export not only chromium ore, but high quality ferrochromium. This is what we are striving to achieve,” Elton Beqi, one of the directors, said.
According to Beqi, ACR strictly follows the obligations outlined in its concession contract, and is working on starting up its other two furnaces as well. “All necessary equipment was ordered and should be delivered to Albania by the end of 2008. We plan to begin operating the next furnace in the last quarter of 2008,” said Beqi.
The second and the third furnace will produce low carbon ferrochromium which is in high demand. By 2009, Albanian chrome ACR has targeted exporting ca. 50,000 tons of ferrochromium, of both high and low carbon quality.
At highest capacity, the plant of Elbasan produced 30,000 tons of ferrochromium per year.
The ferrochromium Plant of Elbasan, built with two furnaces, began operations in November 1989. A third furnace was built in 1993, but it operated for only six weeks before being shut down.