Norsk Hydro to expand automotive aluminium production worth $100 million

Norwegian aluminium producer Norsk Hydro ASA reportedly declared late last week to expand its automotive aluminium production at a plant in Cressonia, Pennsylvania, which would expectedly create 60 family-sustaining jobs over the next three years and retain an additional 1,307 jobs.

The expansion will take place on a property of 96,000-square-foot, adjacent to an existing facility that will provide new manufacturing capabilities needed to compete in the automotive market. According to the report, Hydro will also invest some of its money to upgrade the existing facility’s infrastructure as well as purchase and modernize some equipment. This entire project of Norsk Hydro is estimated to involve more than US$ 100 million.

Charles Straface, business area president for Extrusion North America at Hydro, said. “Our growth in the automotive segment is something Hydro is very proud of, and we are pleased to invest additional assets here in Pennsylvania.”

Hydro has already received a funding proposal from the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) for a $950,000 Pennsylvania First Grant, $120,000 in Job Creation Tax Credits and $40,000 in WEDnetPA job training. It may also further receive monetary assistance from the Manufacturing Tax Credit Program, the Research and Development Tax Credit and the Qualified Manufacturing Innovation and Reinvestment Deduction. The Governor’s Action Team, a group of economic development professionals who work with businesses that are considering locating or expanding in Pennsylvania, also assisted Hydro to coordinate the project.