[SMM Aluminum Express News] Norsk Hydro reported strong Q1 2026 performance, with adjusted EBITDA at NOK 8.67 billion, slightly down year-on-year due to currency and power impacts. Higher aluminum prices and increased alumina and metal sales supported earnings, while weaker alumina prices, a stronger NOK, and lower power production weighed on results. Adjusted EPS rose to NOK 2.07 (from NOK 1.63), though free cash flow was negative NOK 4 billion due to higher working capital tied to elevated metal prices and volumes. Return on capital employed (RoaCE) stood at 10.1%.

[SMM Aluminum Express News] Norsk Hydro is supplying low-carbon, recycled aluminum (Hydro CIRCAL) to the reECONIC Mercedes-Benz Trucks project, supporting circular material use in commercial vehicles. The delivery includes 600 kg of extruded components made from ≥75% post-consumer scrap, demonstrating that recycled aluminum can meet structural and safety requirements while significantly reducing carbon footprint.

[SMM Aluminum Express News] Norsk Hydro has signed long-term PPAs with Statkraft, securing 12.3 TWh of renewable power over 10 years for its aluminum smelters in Norway. The contracts cover 0.9 TWh annually in 2029–2030 and 1.3 TWh from 2031–2038, supporting low-carbon aluminum production and strengthening cost competitiveness.

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.

According to the official website of Norsk Hydro, due to the challenging market environment, Norsk Hydro will close its Birtley extrusion plant in the UK by the end of May. The plant has an annual capacity of approximately 12,000 mt, and it is expected that the closure will affect 100 employees. The plant's customers and production activities have been transferred to Norsk Hydro's Tibshelf extrusion plant and Cheltenham extrusion plant.

【Battery Giant Sells Shares】Northvolt agreed to sell its remaining shares in the battery recycling company Hydrovolt to Norsk Hydro ASA. According to a statement on January 13, the transaction value of this share sale by Northvolt was 78 million Norwegian kroner (approximately $6.8 million), and Hydro's stake in Hydrovolt consequently increased from 72% to 100%. The transaction is expected to be completed by the end of this quarter, pending relevant approvals.