Alcoa Corporation shuts down one potline after power outage

Alcoa Corporation said on Tuesday, May 29, that the company has shut down one of the three potlines that are part of its Warrick aluminium smelter restart due to a temporary power outage at the plant near Evansville, Indiana. The annual capacity of the affected potline is approximately 50,000 tonnes.

“The decision was made with a focus on safety and to protect the assets,” the company said. “Alcoa is assessing the effects of this event, including the timing of the overall restart, and will provide an update as more information is available.”

Last July, Alcoa announced plans to restart three of five potlines, with 161,400 tonnes of annual capacity, at its Warrick Operations aluminium smelter. The process to restart is originally expected to be completed in the second quarter of this year. 

“By restarting a portion of the Warrick smelter, we will provide an efficient source of metal for the co-located rolling mill and help it meet an anticipated increase in production volumes,” Tim Reyes, president of Alcoa’s aluminum business unit, said at the time. “The action will enable us to more fully utilize the assets at this integrated site for the benefit of our investors, customers, employees and the community.”

Warrick Operations produces aluminium sheet for beverage and food can ends, tabs, and other flat-rolled aluminium products, including lithographic sheet.