The largest producer of primary aluminium producer in the United States of America, Century Aluminum has made public that it will idle its aluminium smelter in Hawesville, Kentucky, temporarily due to the propelling high energy prices which are causing a direct impact on the business. On 27th June 2022, the aluminium smelter is anticipated to initiate the idling process.
Until energy prices return to their normalized levels, the company expects to suspend operations for a period of approximately nine to twelve months. Century is constantly investigating all options to prevent the temporary curtailment.
Century Aluminium's facility in Hawesville is the largest smelter in North America producing military-grade aluminium. Over 600 staffs employed by the company, most of whom received notice today under the WARN Act that their jobs are on temporary hold. As part of its efforts to identify employment support and training opportunities, Century Aluminum is working with all employees and the local union.
Jesse Gary, the President and CEO of Century Aluminium, said, “This unprecedented rise in global energy prices arising from the Russian war in Ukraine has dramatically increased the price of energy in the U.S. and around the globe. The power cost required to run our Hawesville, KY, facility has more than tripled the historical average in a very short period. Unfortunately, this makes it necessary to temporarily curtail operations for approximately nine to twelve months until energy prices return to more normalized levels.”
“We are confident that energy prices will moderate in the next year and believe strongly in the prospects of the Hawesville smelter given its recent performance and the continuing important role it plays in US national security.”
He further added, “Our dedicated and highly-skilled employees are like family to us, and we are saddened that the current energy crisis triggered by the war in Ukraine has forced us to take this action. We will work with all of our employees to help them identify local unemployment resources and training opportunities.”
In view of the unique conditions at each of Century's plants, the company does not have any plans to idle other facilities.
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