Novelis to invest $9M in Oswego, N.Y., aluminum plant

Novelis Inc., the world leader in aluminum rolling, announced July 25 that it is investing approximately $9 million in its Oswego, N.Y., plant to increase production of aluminum sheet ingot, the starter stock for the rolling process. The investment will include the installation of an aluminum melting furnace with industry-leading technology that will provide increased energy efficiency and reduced cycle time. The new ingot production will be brought on-line within 12 months.

This investment is part of Novelis' ongoing program to secure long-term, low-cost sheet ingot supply for its operations.

"This announcement follows the recent acquisition of Novelis by Hindalco Industries Limited and demonstrates our new owner's strategic commitment to our business," said Kevin Greenawalt, president of Novelis North America. "Our customers will benefit as we become ever more flexible in meeting their requirements for high-value aluminum products, such as those produced with our Novelis Fusion technology."

Buddy Stemple, vice president of specialty products for Novelis North America, said: "The investment will unlock capacity in our existing ingot casting operations, and will improve our ability to switch between alloy types and manage our product mix. It will reduce production bottlenecks and help accelerate delivery times to our customers."

The Oswego plant is Novelis' largest wholly owned aluminum fabrication facility. Equipped for aluminum recycling and remelting, ingot casting, and hot and cold rolling, the plant generates premium aluminum sheet products used by the automotive, appliance, beverage can, building and construction, commercial transportation and industrial markets. The plant currently employs approximately 700 people.