Rio Tinto, Norsk Hydro to close Dutch anode plant by year-end

Production at Rio Tinto and Norsk Hydro ASA's Aluchemie anode plant in the Netherlands is expected to stop at the end of the year, prompted by the plant's weak competitive position and challenging market conditions.

A strategic review by the companies determined that making the ongoing investments needed to continue operating the facility is no longer viable, according to a Feb. 16 news release.

Rio Tinto holds a 53.3% stake in the facility, and Norsk Hydro holds the remaining 46.7%.

The owners will now begin consulting concerned European works councils and union representatives about the planned closure.

Aluchemie employs 220 workers and produces 216,000 tonnes of anodes annually.