Slovakia's only primary aluminum smelter to lay off 300 workers due to soaring energy costs & dropping prices
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Update time : 2022-07-19 19:13:20
Slovalco, the only primary aluminum producer in Slovakia with majority shares owned by Norsk Hydro, is currently laying off 300 of its 450 employees to deal with soaring energy costs, emissions restrictions, and falling aluminum prices.
The primary aluminum production at this smelter has been cut to around 60% in February due to high electricity costs, which have tripled year on year.
In May, Hydro said it may have to close its Slovalco aluminum smelter unless the Slovak government provides financial support through a carbon compensation scheme.
The Slovalco aluminum smelter has a total of 226 pots with an annual production capacity of 175,000 tons. 47 pots were closed in late 2021, and another 44 pots were closed in February. There are 135 pots in operation currently.
