Aleris considering sale of recycling businesses

United States – US-based aluminium rolled and extruded product giant Aleris is ‘formally evaluating the potential sale of its recycling and specification alloys businesses’.

Chairman and ceo Steve Demetriou comments in a statement: ‘While the businesses remain steady and profitable with excellent long-term growth potential, we are always reviewing our operations to ensure that Aleris is optimising the value of its portfolio.’ Following a comprehensive review, Aleris ‘may choose to retain the business’, it is also stressed.

Privately-held Aleris operates more than 40 production facilities throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia. It has three reportable business segments: Rolled Products North America, Recycling and Specification Alloys Americas, and Europe.

Company revenues dropped to approximately US$ 4.3 billion in 2013 from around US$ 4.4 billion in 2012 owing to lower aluminium prices, pricing pressures and lower volume, partially offset by an improved mix of products sold and a weaker US dollar.