Norway’s aluminium titan Norsk Hydro ASA announced an investment of €35.7 million in a new high-strength aluminium press at its plant in Szekesfehervar, Hungary this week.
Per the firm, the new automotive aluminium press will join Hydro’s network of automotive aluminium production, which includes its Denmark plant that will be receiving an automotive press of its own in the near future.
Hydro plans to build the aluminium press at an existing building at the site and will use recycled aluminium billet sourced from the firm’s new recycling plant, which is currently under construction.
Bruno D’hondt, Senior Vice President in Hydro’s Extrusion Europe business unit, said in a press release that the new aluminium press will help it meet the needs of its customers.
“This network of specialized plants offers a unique selling point towards car manufacturers with large volumes, allowing supply from several locations. Together, with the new press in Tønder, Denmark and our existing P5 press in Hungary, this new investment will give Hydro unmatched capabilities to supply the automotive market anywhere in Europe with the best available technology and a balanced footprint.”
Hydro’s Szekesfehervar plant is the largest aluminium extrusion plant of its kind in Europe. The plant houses six aluminium extrusion presses and over 300 fabrication machines operated by about 1,600 workers. Among the components made at the plant are crash management systems and structural portions of the car’s body and battery housing.
Norsk Hydro, which was founded in 1905, financed by the Swedish Wallenberg family and French banks, began its life named Norsk hydro-elektrisk Kvælstofaktieselskab (literally, “Norwegian hydro-electric nitrogen limited”) by Sam Eyde. The Norwegian government owns approximately 40% of the company at the present time. Norsk Hydro is one of the largest aluminium companies in the world, with plants in Rjukan, Raufoss, Vennesla, Karmøy, Høyanger, Årdal, Sunndalsøra, and Holmestrand. Norsk also has several plants abroad.
