"I am happy because John Thuestad accepted the position of new leader of Bauxite and Alumina. Brazil has been of great strategic importance for Hydro since 2011, with the acquisition of Vale's aluminum assets", says Hydro's President and CEO, Svein Richard Brandtzaeg.

"Pará has a unique position in the global aluminum industry with activities throughout the aluminum value chain, from bauxite and alumina to finished products", says Brandtzaeg.

Thuestad is currently as head of Extruded Products in Europe, in the Extruded Products Solutions business area and came to Hydro in 2017, in the acquisition of Sapa.

"Thuestad has extensive operational and leadership experience across the aluminum value chain. In addition to his experience in various regions and cultures, he has a strong understanding of how to operate together with stakeholders, internal and external, so I am confident that it is the right choice and that it will complement the B&A team in a positive way ", says Brandtzaeg.

Alunorte's alumina refinery, in Pará, is operating at 50% capacity, following the determinations of the Brazilian authorities at the end of February.

"Internal and external studies confirm that there was no overflow or leakage of bauxite residues from the deposits and that there is no evidence of contamination in the local communities. We are working hard to restore all operations at the Alunorte refinery and we are having constructive dialogues with Brazilian stakeholders ", says Brandtzaeg.

Hydro plays an important role as an employer and is trying to expand the partnership with local communities in Pará, through initiatives to contribute to sustainable growth, including technical, environmental and social actions.

"The number one priority for Thuestad as the leader in Bauxite and Alumina will be to reposition the Alunorte alumina refinery as the best in the world in terms of safety, operation, environment and social responsibility. confidence that, together with Brazil's strong team, he will do this. This will be achieved in close cooperation with all stakeholders in Pará, in addition to unions and local communities ", says Brandtzaeg.

Thuestad replaces B & amp; A's acting chief, Eivind Kallevik, who will fully resume his position as Chief Financial Officer from 1 June.