Hydro strengthens Husnes operations with NOK 200 million sow casting line investment

Aluminium and renewable energy company Hydro has announced a lump sum investment of NOK 200 million (US$17.66 million) to establish a new sow casting line at its Husnes site. This initiative aims to enhance the flexibility of the primary aluminium casthouse and is an essential part of Hydro's strategy for primary aluminium production, widening the plant's product offerings.

Image Source - flickr (Credit - thatsouthafricanguy)

Located on the west coast of Norway, the Husnes primary plant produces low-carbon extrusion ingot principally for the European construction and automotive industries. The introduction of the sow caster will enable the plant to produce sow ingots during periods of lower demand for its main products, thereby increasing operational flexibility.

Hanne Karine Simensen, Executive Vice President of Hydro Aluminium Metal, stated, "We continue to invest in the future of our Norwegian smelters, which are at the core of Hydro's strategy to pioneer the green aluminium transition. Adding sow ingots to the product portfolio at Husnes will make us better positioned to take advantage of market fluctuations."

The highly automated sow caster is expected to have a capacity of 100,000 tonnes per year. Construction is slated to commence in 2025, pending a final build decision, with completion anticipated in the first quarter of 2026.

This investment comes in response to the growing demand for low-carbon primary aluminium. In recent years, lower economic activity in Europe has led to production curtailments at Husnes. Earlier in 2024, Hydro made the strategic decision to utilise this period of reduced activity to undertake a comprehensive technology upgrade of both production lines, effectively transforming the Husnes plant into one of the world's most modern and energy-efficient production sites for primary aluminium.

Simensen added, "Demand for low-carbon aluminium is expected to increase in line with growing consumer awareness and regulatory requirements for materials with the lowest possible carbon footprint. Both Husnes and our other four primary aluminium plants in Norway stand ready to support some of the most forward-leaning customers in Europe in reaching their climate goals."