Norsk Hydro mulls Neuss closure

Archiv – Norway / Germany | Europe’s leading aluminium manufacturer Norsk Hydro is considering the closure of its primary production plant at Neuss in Germany. In a news report carried by the Rheinischen Post, CEO Jan Richard Brandtzaeg underlines the impact on the business of high energy costs, with electricity currently contributing around 50% to its total bills. Norway / Germany | Europe’s leading aluminium manufacturer Norsk Hydro is considering the closure of its primary production plant at Neuss in Germany. In a news report carried by the Rheinischen Post, CEO Jan Richard Brandtzaeg underlines the impact on the business of high energy costs, with electricity currently contributing around 50% to its total bills. Since the recession, production has decreased by 80% from 230 000 tonnes to 50 000 tonnes per year.
Many of the 790 employees are using state support for temporary lay-offs. ’This situation can last for a few months, but something has to happen after these months,’ Mr Brandtzaeg told the German newspaper, noting that the state support programme will end by the close of February.
The company is considering the continuation of its secondary aluminium melting process as this requires less electricity. If this were to happen, the company would continue with 200 employees.