In total, Hydro spent NOK 20 million on charitable donations, sponsorships and community investments in 2010, down from NOK 26 million in 2009.
Important elements are our support of the Nobel Peace Center in Oslo and the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra. We also have a sponsorship agreement with Save the Children Norway.
Other important contributions are the transfer of competence that takes place through our cooperation with universities and research institutions. This includes scholarships to selected PhD aspirants working in our business areas. In 2010, in connection with the 100-year anniversary of the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Hydro donated scientific equipment and a two-year professorship within the aluminium field. In 2008, we agreed with NTNU to sponsor two professorships for three years in the fields of electrolysis, and alloy development and material technology. NTNU is committed to retaining the positions after the conclusion of the sponsorship period. Together with Qatalum, we are sponsoring an Aluminium Faculty Chair at the Department of Chemical Engineering at Qatar University in Doha. The professor lectures on aluminium production technology.
After the closing of Hydro's Adrian precision tubing plant in Michigan, we donated the 33 acres of land to the local society of Madison Township. The area has been used for industrial purposes for 70 years, and remediation of goundwater and soil was necessary. All deconstruction and remediation work was done on Hydro's expense before handover of the land.
We will review our sponsor- and partnership strategy during 2011.
Tools for Schools
Our extrusion business in North America has a long tradition of volunteer work by employees. An example is our plant in St. Augustine, Florida, that spearheaded a local community campaign in St. John's County in 2010. After a period with severe manning reductions, the 300 employees collected almost 11,000 items for schoolchildren. The contribution is expected to help more than 2,500 needy children throughout the county.
Høyanger plant heating local community
In Høyanger, Norway, Hydro delivers excess heat from its smelter to public buildings in the municipality, including the local swimming pool. Even a football pitch can be played upon through the winter, thanks to ground heating. Other Hydro smelters also have a long tradition of supplying excess heat to benefit the local community.
