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FACTS on Hydro and primary aluminium
 NEW: Hydro Aluminium Sunndal (Photo: Atle Johnsen) |
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(Dec. 3, 2002) The production of primary aluminium is a cornerstone in Hydro Aluminium.
- Hydro Aluminium is one of the world's largest aluminium producers. Annual capacity from Hydro's 12 wholly owned metal plants is around 1.4 million tonnes, before the new capacity at Hydro Aluminium Sunndal comes into operation in 2003 and 2004. Hydro is also involved in the expansion of the metal plants Slovalco in Slovakia, Søral in Norway and Alouette in Canada.
- The sector Hydro Aluminium Primary Metal aims to be the largest financial contributor to the development of Hydro Aluminium, a business area in the Hydro group. This can only be achieved with a metal production that is as rational as possible, and capacity is extended in plants where operations will be most cost efficient.
- Through the purchase of the German company VAW aluminium AG, Hydro Aluminium gained metal capacity in Australia, Canada and Germany. It is probable that aluminium production will be further developed in Australia and Canada.
- With an ownership stake of 20 percent, Hydro is already involved in the extension of the metal plant Alouette in Canada, which will have a capacity of 550,000 tonnes when the project is completed in 2005. Hydro's share will be 110,000 tonnes. The extension will make Alouette one of the most cost efficient aluminium metal plants in the world. Investment costs are low, and operational costs will be under USD 1000 per tonne. This will give Alouette a place among the ten best aluminium producers in the world.
- The modernization and extension project in Sunndal is Hydro Aluminium's great test. It is the largest project Hydro Aluminium has carried out, and Hydro Technology and Projects (HTP) is project manager. The extension is based on Hydro's in-house developed technology HAL250 and will be by far the most environmentally friendly aluminium metal plant. When Sunndal is completed in 2004, its nearly 330,000 tonnes annual production will account for a considerable share of Hydro Aluminium's total metal capacity, and its productivity will make a major contribution to the area's future results.
- It is also possible to increase production at several of Hydro's plants through increasing amperage. In total these projects will increase Hydro Aluminium's production capacity up to 2007. The oldest production lines in Årdal and Høyanger will then have to close, as the emissions permits do not allow operation beyond this point.
- Hydro's metal production is organized in two business areas: Production primary aluminium handles the wholly owned metal plants in Norway and Germany and the stakes in Søral and Slovalco. Part-owned and overseas production looks after operations in Kurri Kurri in Australia and Hydro's participation in Tomago in Australia, Alouette in Canada and Hamburg in Germany.
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