02.07.2024 - Aluminium Association

Russian producers of aluminium structures are ready to meet the demand of furniture manufacturers. This was announced during the 15th Furniture Business Forum, which took place at the Saint Petersburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry on June 26-27. The event attracted leading market experts in the fields of furniture and accessories manufacturing, materials, and design, as well as representatives of industry associations.

Nowadays, aluminium furniture is in high demand in various fields, including tourism, hospitality (hotels, cafes, restaurants), office and residential spaces, suburban areas, educational institutions, public spaces, and the medical industry. This is made possible by the properties of aluminium, such as its light weight, corrosion resistance, and wide design possibilities. Most of the furniture on the market was previously imported into Russia. However, due to external restrictions and disruptions in logistic chains, the reduction in imported supplies allowed to stimulate the development of domestic production and industrial cooperation.

Astek-MT, a member of the Aluminium Association, noted the growing demand for extruded profucts for the furniture industry. The company is one of the largest producers of extruded aluminium in Russia. It offers comprehensive services, from developing drawings to manufacturing the final product. Customers are particularly fond of the wide range of colours available for aluminium finishes. They can choose from silver-coloured extruded products to metal designs painted to resemble wood, marble, stone, or gold. Another member of the Association, SBL-REGION, has successfully launched the manufacturing of outdoor aluminium furniture in a short time. It only took eight months from the idea to the manufacturing of the first furniture sets. Today, SBL-REGION has 25 partners in nine regions of Russia and has delivered over 250 sets of furniture to private customers.

The Madison collection by SBL-REGION comprises premium handmade furniture in the loft style. It is made from high-quality thick-walled extruded aluminium and solid wood.

One way to encourage the development of import substitution in the manufacturing of aluminium furniture is to establish a competency centre for industrial design of aluminium products within the Aluminium Association. The main objectives of the industrial design sector include creating educational programmes for students to learn about and work with modern aluminium alloys and technologies. This will help increase domestic consumption of aluminium in the shape of high-tech products. Additionally, it aims to export Russian-made goods to foreign markets. The Aluminium Association is ready to serve as a single hub for connecting market players and industrial designers, bringing together experts from its member companies to conduct relevant workshops and seminars, give lectures at top universities, and organise visits to existing production facilities and research centres. The initial meeting of the Industrial Design sector of the Aluminium Association will take place on July 19.

The creation of technological valleys in the Siberian regions could serve as another development driver. Special economic zones (SEZs) occupy a total of 558 hectares in Krasnoyarsk and Khakassia. The close proximity of Russia's largest aluminium smelters makes it possible to concentrate aluminium-related industries, including furniture manufacturing, as well as the development of logistics and industrial parks, in the area. An additional advantage for SEZ participants will be the opportunity to cooperate and integrate into the technological chains of the largest Russian financial and industrial groups. They will also have direct access to renewable energy sources. For instance, the Sayano-Shushenskaya hydroelectric power station, the largest in Russia and one of the largest in the world, is located near the Technological Valley of Khakassia.

'The market for aluminium furniture in Russia is still in its early stages of development, and in many areas, there is little competition between domestic manufacturers. The market has a lot of potential. Considering the current external circumstances, it might be a good idea to open a furniture manufacturing facility that uses aluminium. This type of furniture could prove to be very popular and relevant,' said Natalya Kudenkova, head of the Consumer Goods sector of the Aluminium Association.