Hydro Extrusion is investing in the modernization of its operations at the Tubarão plant, in Santa Catarina. Since acquiring the unit in 2018, the company has invested more than BRL 20 million in structural renovations, purchase of equipment and training of labor. An important part of this project was completed in August of this year: the first stage of the renovation of the Press P3 building. In the renovation of this building alone, the company is investing BRL 5.5 million with the objective of increasing productivity by 20%, in addition to bringing more safety and modernity to the production process. The completion of the renovation of the Press P3 building is expected to be completed by the end of 2023.

“We are working to increase the added value of the products made at our Tubarão unit and we are satisfied with the results we have already achieved even during such a challenging period. We started to offer stamped and polished aluminium profiles, which were not part of our portfolio before. In addition, with the new flow in the production process, our production will increase from 14 thousand tons to 15 thousand tons per year”, says Sergio Vendrasco, Vice President of the Extruded Products Division in South America.

The new layout of the Press 3 building was designed with what is most modern in the world for this type of construction. The responsible teams carried out an evaluation through a flow mapping that pointed out the necessary improvements for an even more efficient production. The building is now also more sustainable, as all light bulbs have been replaced with LEDs, reducing the structure's carbon footprint. The next step will be to automate the operation in this building.

Internal teams are being prepared to work with new technologies. Internal training courses will be offered with 16 places for operators of the equipment used in the production of aluminum profiles. Half of these vacancies will be offered to the external public. “We want to train not only our employees, but also the community around our operations,” adds Vendrasco.

The company is prioritizing the hiring of labor and local companies to carry out the project. About 80% of the investment in the renovation took place in partnership with local suppliers, with BRL 794,000.00 in local labor (service provision).

Hydro acts with respect for people and the environment, prioritizing safety in all operations. Therefore, the entire structure follows NR-12, a Regulatory Standard issued by the Ministry of Labor that consists of a set of safety procedures aimed at the transport, installation, operation and maintenance of machines in work environments.

The company is certified Aluminum Stewardship Initiative (ASI) in Brazil, which recognizes the responsible production, supply and management of aluminum. The organization evaluates several criteria that show that Sustainability and Human Rights principles are increasingly embedded in supply chains.

About the Tubarão Hydro Extrusion plant

The unit, which was founded in 1975 and is located in Santa Catarina, is specialized in aluminum profiles aimed at the civil construction market. It has an anodizing unit for surface finishing for aluminum profiles with a capacity of 6,000 tons/year and a Manufacturing Tooling with a capacity of 4,500/extrusion tools/year. With a total production capacity of 29 thousand tons/year of extruded profiles, it has specialized processes for cutting, stamping and polishing aluminum profiles.

What we do at Hydro Extrusion

Hydro Extrusion is a world leader in aluminum extrusion, with around 100 production facilities in 40 countries and employing 21,000 people. Through a unique combination of local experience, global network and unrivaled R&D resources, we offer standard profiles to unique and on-demand profiles for the automotive, industrial and construction sectors. For the civil construction market, Hydro offers a complete portfolio for commercial and residential projects and architectural complements.

Since 1905, Hydro has been transforming natural resources into valuable products for people and businesses, with a focus on a safe and secure workplace for our 31,000 employees across more than 140 locations.

Hydro is committed to leading the industry towards a more sustainable future. The company aims to create more viable societies by developing natural resources into products and solutions in innovative and efficient ways as an industry that makes a difference.