Alumetal to produce low-emission aluminum in Poland

Hydro’s Alumetal recycling plant in Kęty, Poland, will increase the use of renewable energy to produce low-carbon recycled aluminum, contributing to the green transition in Europe.

The solar panels being installed at Alumetal will generate 1,000 MWh of electricity annually and are expected to be operational in the second quarter of 2025.

Hanne Simensen, Executive Vice President of Hydro Aluminium Metal said. “energy is a key driver for the aluminum industry, and switching to renewable sources is essential to decarbonize the value chain. Although aluminum recycling requires only 5% of the energy used to produce primary metal, every step is important to achieve net-zero emissions. The solar panels at Kęty are one more step in the right direction” .

The €870,000 investment will enable the plant to locally generate a portion of its power from renewable sources, aligning with Hydro’s commitment to reduce its carbon emissions by 30% by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality in its Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2050.

The solar panels will cover 15% of the plant’s annual electricity needs, equivalent to powering approximately 100 average European homes for a year. Surplus energy will be fed into the local grid, providing clean energy to nearby homes and businesses.

“The installation of the solar panels at Kęty marks another important milestone for Alumetal on its path to decarbonization. Local energy production will increase energy efficiency, improve circularity and reduce the carbon footprint of the final recycled aluminum product we offer to our customers,” Agnieszka Drzyżdżyk, CEO of Alumetal, stated.

Hydro acquired Alumetal in 2023 and, in addition to the solar panels, has announced NOK 200 million modernization projects, which will be ready in the first half of 2025, increasing the plant’s capacity by 30,000 tons.