Norwegian aluminium group Norsk Hydro ASA closes Soderberg electrolysis facility at aluminium plant in Karmoy

Dec 10, 2008 (NORDIC BUSINESS REPORT via COMTEX) -- Norwegian aluminium group Norsk Hydro ASA (OSE:NHY) said on Wednesday (10 December) that it has decided to close the Soderberg electrolysis facility (potlines) at its aluminium plant in Karmoy, Norway. The Soderberg potlines represents old technology and were initially to be closed by the end of 2009, but due to the falling market for aluminium Norsk Hydro has decided to close the Soderberg potlines earlier. The closure will affect some 450 employees and is expected to cost around NOK300m. Norsk Hydro already reduced production at the Soderberg facility in November. Norsk Hydro, headquartered in Norway, is Europe's largest integrated aluminium company. The group has 24,700 employees in over 30 countries and reported revenue of NOK94.3bn in 2007.