Aluchemie, a carbon anode producing plant in Rotterdam, Netherlands will be shut by the end of this year. The plant provides anodes to aluminum smelters.
The co-owners of the plant, Rio Tinto and Norsk Hydro, stated in a release that the plant was no longer a viable investment due to its “weak competitive position” and challenging market circumstances.
The plant has already cut its output at four of its seven anode furnaces, lowering production to 216,000mt per year from the original capacity of 350,000mt. It currently employs about 220 workers. The companies are now in talks with the concerned unions regarding the planned closure and ensuing layoffs.