Milestones in Norsk Hydros's history
(Jan. 7, 2002) A short historical survey, prepared in connection with Norsk Hydro's buyout of VAW aluminium AG.
Norsk Hydro is founded on 2 December 1905 by Sam Eyde and Kristian Birkeland, backed by Marcus Wallenberg and French capital. The Notodden calcium nitrate plant starts operations, the Rjukan plants are established along with the extensive development of the Telemark hydroelectric plants.
The Haber-Bosch-process adopted for Hydro's fertilizer production. Fertilizer plant built on Herøya in Porsgrunn.
Hydro starts producing PVC and magnesium in Porsgrunn.
Hydro's first aluminium metal plant, with extrusion facilities, established on Karmøy, near Haugesund. New plant built in Porsgrunn for oil-based production of ammonia. Hydro becomes involved in exploration for oil in the North Sea.
Hydro sets up its first aluminium extrusion plant outside of Norway, Alupres in the United Kingdom. New extrusion plants are subsequently established in the Europe and the US. Norsk Hydro Magnesiumgesellschaft is established in West Germany. Hydro acquires an ownership stake in the Qatar Fertiliser Company. In 1975 Hydro is made, for the first time, operator for oil recovery in the North Sea. The large petrochemicals plant at Rafnes in Lower Telemark starts production.
Hydro acquires the fertilizer companies NSM in the Netherlands, Supra in Sweden, KFK in Denmark, Ruhr Stickstof in West Germany and Cofaz in France. Hydro acquires Kema, Nobel's PVC plant in Sweden. Five of Alcan's European extrusion plants are acquired.
Hydro's aluminium division merged with Årdal og Sunndal Verk (ÅSV) to form Hydro Aluminium, the world's fifth largest aluminium producer.
The Hydro-operated Oseberg field in the North Sea starts operations. A new magnesium plant is completed in Becancour, Canada.
Hydro streamlines and develops its core areas in plant nutrition, light metals and oil and energy. Operating revenues in 2000 total NOK 156 billion and the company employs approximately 40,000 people in activities throughout the world. The Light Metals area has a turnover of NOK 51 billion and expresses a clear ambition to be a global market player.
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