CRU aluminum news roundup

Hydro opens new aluminum recycling plant in Hungary

This week Hydro announced the opening of a new aluminum recycling plant in Szekesfehervar, Hungary. The new aluminum recycling plant was built next to Hydro’s aluminum extrusion plant in Szekesfehervar. This serves customers in the automotive industry with advanced aluminum components. According to Hydro, the recycling plant has an annual capacity of 90,000 metric tons (mt), also mainly serving the automotive market. Additionally, it is said that the recycling plant will initially process 15,000 mt of post-consumer scrap annually. This will increase over the years to come, in line with the growing customer demand for recycled, post-consumer aluminum.

According to the press release, Paul Warton, EVP of Hydro Extrusions mentioned that, “Our customers are not only asking for recycled and low-carbon aluminum. They also need us to recycle their process scrap, so we can create closed loops. With our new and modern recycling facility in Hungary, we are now able to offer that.”  

Hydro acquires additional 20% of Vianode

Hydro has become a 50/50 partner in Vianode, a synthetic graphite manufacturer, after exercising its put option. This follows Altor’s decision to sell its 20% stake in the company. Vianode is currently building a large-scale production facility in Norway, expected to be completed by the end of 2024. Hydro’s acquisition of Altor’s shares is subject to regulatory approval and is expected to be finalized within 6-8 weeks.

Hydro’s updated 2030 strategy maintains a focus on its current battery investments, with future capital allocation dependent on the attractiveness of new opportunities.

Constellium achieves Aluminum Stewardship Initiative Certification for all global operations

Constellium announced it has achieved Aluminum Stewardship Initiative (ASI) Performance Standard Certification for all its operations, including its corporate office in Paris.

According to the press release, all operations are certified to ASI’s latest Performance Standard Version 3.0. This sets a new level of targets for responsible production, sourcing, and stewardship of the aluminum value chain. Operations in Europe and North America are certified on all the 11 principles of the Standard. Issues addressed include material stewardship, greenhouse-gas emissions, waste and water management, biodiversity, governance, and labor and human rights. Constellium’s Chinese operations have been certified against the first four principles of the Standard as material converters.   

Concerning the announcement, Jean-Marc Germain, CEO of Constellium, commented, “I am proud that Constellium has achieved ASI Certification across all of our operations.”

“This accomplishment reflects our strong commitment to responsible business practices and our dedication to delivering high-value, sustainable aluminum solutions,” he continued. “This certification, coupled with our recycling capacity and our sustainability commitments, is a step further to respond to the expectations of our customers and society.”

Alcomet to expand product range

Aluminum products manufacturer Alcomet has started on a project to widen the portfolio of products made at its plant in Shumen, northeastern Bulgaria.

The initiative will enable production of new aluminum alloys for electric-vehicle (EV) batteries and widen the range of products offered to the automotive and solar power sectors, the innovation ministry said. A continuous casting line, profile production lines, universal foil mill and associated facilities will be installed to enable the expansion, local media reported. Cap-ex tops BGN136 million ($77 million), and is part of Alcomet’s three-year investment plan. This features a roller unit expansion, building a second foundry, installing a high-tech coil casting line, adding new presses at the workshop, and installation of a passivation line in the automotive unit to enhance product quality and reduce processing time.

This analysis was first published by CRU. To learn more about CRU’s services, visit www.crugroup.com.