Hydro Extrusions Expanded Automotive Aluminum Semis Extrusion Capacity at Its Tønder Plant in Denmark According to foreign media reports, Hydro Extrusions recently officially commissioned a brand-new 12-inch, 60-meganewton extrusion press at its aluminum extrusion plant in Tønder, Denmark. The equipment had held its official inauguration ceremony in September 2025, becoming the centerpiece of the plant’s 50th anniversary celebrations. The multi-day event invited clients, suppliers, and both former and current employees to participate.

[SMM Aluminum Express News] Alvance British Aluminium has boosted output by ~10% at its Lochaber smelter in Fort William, Scotland (UK’s only primary aluminium plant), thanks to recent US tariff changes. The GFG Alliance-owned facility (48,000 tpy capacity, hydro-powered) now exports about half its production to the US for the first time. Managing Director Tom Uppington: “We increased production in response to shifting trade flows after US tariffs, entering the US market while serving UK and European customers.” President Trump set a 50% global tariff on steel/aluminium imports, but the UK secured a preferential 25% rate (vs. 50% for Canada), making UK metal more competitive. The US still relies on imports for automotive and aerospace sectors.

Hydro has decided to further strengthen its aluminum extrusion business in Europe and has proposed closing its extrusion plant in Lucé, France. This move is intended to optimize its European extrusion business segment and enhance competitiveness. The planned closure of the Lucé plant will affect the livelihoods of approximately 80 employees, and a formal consultation process with the plant’s employee representatives will begin soon. If an agreement is reached between labor and management, the plant will close in 2026.

On Tuesday, March 3rd, Norsk Hydro stated that QatarEnergy has issued a declaration suspending the production of certain downstream products within Qatar, including urea, polymers, methanol, and aluminum.

PT Arkora Hydro Tbk (ARKO) officially commenced commercial operations of its 5.4 MW Kukusan 2 run-of-river hydro project in Lampung on February 6, 2026. With an annual output of 35.02 GWh, the plant marks ARKO's fourth operational project and accounts for 17.8% of its projected 2026 power production. Backed by a 25-year PPA with PLN, the facility is estimated to power up to 7,000 households while supporting Indonesia’s Net Zero Emission 2060 goals through minimal environmental impact.

On March 17, Norwegian aluminum and renewable energy company Hydro held a groundbreaking ceremony in Torija, marking the commencement of its latest project in its expanding recycling portfolio. The investment of 180 million euros to build a state-of-the-art recycling plant north of Spain's capital is part of Hydro's ongoing efforts to strengthen Europe's circular economy by incorporating more post-consumer scrap into the recycling loop.