Hydro will cease aluminum extrusion operations at its Ellenville, NY, facility by the end of this June.
The closure is part of an ongoing restructuring of the company’s downstream aluminum activities. Hydro’s aluminum casthouse, which employs around 50 people on the Ellenville site, will continue operations.
The casthouse has recently been through substantial renovation and expansion, significantly improving plant productivity, safety and quality, making it one of the most advanced facilities of its type in North America. The casthouse will continue to serve its markets.
The decision follows the company’s inability to find a buyer for the facility.
In December 2005, Hydro announced plans to strengthen the performance of its downstream aluminum operations. The company has since announced the sale or closure of a number of non-core units. Late last year, Hydro announced its exit from the magnesium business, the sale of its automotive castings business and the planned divestiture of its automotive structures unit. In addition, an extrusion unit in the UK was closed.