Trimet takes over aluminum smelter

Trimet Aluminium SE, a Germany-based aluminum producer, has acquired the Germany-based aluminum smelting firm Voerde Aluminium GmbH., which is currently in the midst of insolvency proceedings.

Voerde produces primary aluminum and carbon anodes used in the electrolysis process to produce metal. Trimet will continue to operate the aluminium smelter and the anode plant at the current location and retain all employees.

“We are pleased to be able to continue production at this future-viable production site and to retain all the jobs,” says Heinz-Peter Schlüter, owner and chairman of Trimet. One condition for the takeover was that the EU remove any legal uncertainty regarding the renewable energy law as it relates to the smelter. “It is important for us that this legal certainty endures,” he adds.

With the acquisition of the Voerde site, Trimet says it intends to expand its production capacities for primary aluminium, continuing a growth path in recent years. “Key industries in Europe have a large demand for aluminum,” says Dr. Martin Iffert, chairman of Trimet’s executive board. “The Voerde site will enable us to meet this growing demand. The employees and technical equipment are an excellent match for Trimet’s orientation as supplier of custom made solutions.”

Trimet operates production plants at eight different sites where it manufactures, casts, and recycles aluminum. In December 2013 Trimet took over two production plants in France.