Responsible for the task is Tom Einar Rysst-Jensen. Six months after joining Aluminum Metal – he comes from the International Business Development unit in Hydro’s Oil & Energy business area – Rysst-Jensen is already deep into the new strategy to develop new global opportunities for Hydro in primary aluminum, bauxite and alumina production.

“During the past six months we’ve entered into preliminary agreements to explore energy and metal production options in numerous countries and regions worldwide,“ Rysst-Jensen explains.

“We’re also in the advanced stages of interesting opportunities for alumina refining and bauxite mining.”

Rysst-Jensen asserts Hydro’s will to continue making its presence known throughout the industry. “We aim to be a partner of choice, a tough but fair commercial player, and a company with solid integrity based on our commitment to sustainable industrial development worldwide.”

Hydro has entered into Memorandum of Understandings for primary aluminum projects in Angola and Russia. It was also announced at the Capital Markets Day that Hydro recently signed two MoU’s in Asia - one for a greenfield bauxite and alumina project and one for a greenfield primary aluminum project.

Hydro has set up new business development offices in several key regions: Iceland, Russia, South Africa, Angola, Brazil, Singapore and Indonesia. These are small cost-efficient offices staffed to secure good contact and presence to fully understand the local dynamics in developing potential projects in the respective regions. Equally important is the matter of sharing and exchanging knowledge and insight with highly professional local partners.

“We are confident that these project development efforts will cultivate new and exciting options for Norsk Hydro,” Rysst-Jensen declares.

“In our effort to develop profitable new enterprises, we believe 2007 will be a strong year for Hydro, and we’re already seeing material progress in all regions.”

Author: Thomas Knutzen