Aleris to Consolidate Briquetting Operations

Aleris International Inc., Cleveland, has announced plans to shutter its Hammond., Ind., aluminum plant and shift production to the company’s aluminum briquetting facility in Elyria, Ohio.

In an announcement made in early July, the aluminum producer said it would halt operations and close its Hammond plant by July 31, 2013. The company will then expand aluminum recycling operations at its Elyria, Ohio, facility soon after.

Jason Saragian, a spokesman for Aleris, says the Elyria expansion will include adding a second shift and adding from 10 to 15 employees. The Elyria plant presently has 10 employees. Adding a second shift will essentially double output at the plant.

The product manufactured at the Elyria plant includes slag conditioners and deoxidizers, which help remove excess oxygen and impurities during steelmaking operations. Customers include steel mills and service centers in the United States and Canada.

Saragian says the Elyria plant also has the opportunity to significantly expand its operation and grow, depending on the volume of business it books.