Aleris International Inc reported that it will permanently shut down a coil coating plant in Toronto, in the first quarter of 2008. The plant employs 64 people and coats aluminum strip that is distributed to building and construction markets. Transportation, service centers, and consumer durables are other markets it serves.

Production from the plant will be transferred to other Aleris operations in North America.

The Toronto plant was one of a portfolio of rolling and extrusion operations Aleris acquired from the former Corus PLC organization in 2006, for USD 1.06 billion. Aleris now says it will take a restructuring charge of USD 5 to USD 6 million related to the closing.

Aleris International Inc is a major North American manufacturer of rolled aluminium products and is a global leader in aluminium recycling and the production of specification alloys. Aleris is also a leading manufacturer of value added zinc products that include zinc oxide, zinc dust and zinc metal. Headquartered in Beachwood Ohio, a suburb of Cleveland, the Company operates 42 production facilities in the United States, Brazil, Germany, Mexico and Wales and employs approximately 4,200 employees.