Slovakia's only aluminium producer is shutting down its smelters after 70 years of production. Hydro’s Slovalco, which is based in the central Slovak town of Žiar nad Hronom, says that after decades of production it can no longer afford to run its last ten remaining furnaces. Without the producer, Slovakia will be forced to buy aluminium from foreign sources, Slovalco writes.The aluminium producer had been steadily restricting production in response to rising energy prices. According to Hydro, Slovalco originally operated 226 furnaces. The number of furnaces in operation was decreased by 40 percent just over a year ago, citing high energy costs. Alumnium smelting is among the most energy intensive of all industrial processes.According to the Hydro majority-owned aluminium producer, the company had gradually reduced production due to the surging energy prices. Slovalco initially operated 226 furnaces, but just over a year ago, the number of furnaces in use dropped by 40 per cent due to high energy expenses. Among all industrial operations, the smelting of aluminium is the most energy-intensive industrial manufacturing process.Slovalco will continue to operate the remelting facility to process aluminium waste, established in June last year, following the closure of primary aluminium production.
Slovakia's only aluminium producer is shutting down its smelters after 70 years of production. Hydro’s Slovalco, which is based in the central Slovak town of Žiar nad Hronom, says that after decades of production it can no longer afford to run its last ten remaining furnaces. Without the producer, Slovakia will be forced to buy aluminium from foreign sources, Slovalco writes.The aluminium producer had been steadily restricting production in response to rising energy prices. According to Hydro, Slovalco originally operated 226 furnaces. The number of furnaces in operation was decreased by 40 percent just over a year ago, citing high energy costs. Alumnium smelting is among the most energy intensive of all industrial processes.According to the Hydro majority-owned aluminium producer, the company had gradually reduced production due to the surging energy prices. Slovalco initially operated 226 furnaces, but just over a year ago, the number of furnaces in use dropped by 40 per cent due to high energy expenses. Among all industrial operations, the smelting of aluminium is the most energy-intensive industrial manufacturing process.Slovalco will continue to operate the remelting facility to process aluminium waste, established in June last year, following the closure of primary aluminium production.
