Trimet Aluminium returns to the profit zone

Trimet Aluminium SE has concluded the financial year 2012/2013 with sales of 1.2 billion euros (previous year: 1.3 billion). With an annual result of 1.7 million euros, the medium-size company returned to the profit zone. Despite the slight decline in sales the material specialist experienced a sustained good order situation, especially in the automotive sector. Production at Trimet with 1924 employees at all its locations was close to the 500,000 tonne capacity limit. In the course of the current financial year the family-owned company is further expanding its automotive division, and with the takeover of two plants in France, it intends to open up new business areas.

The slight decline in sales compared to the previous year can be explained by the recent low international aluminium prices. Additionally, because of the modernization work done on electrolysis furnaces, not all of its production capacity was available.

In the preceding financial year Trimet experienced undiminished demand for specialized aluminium alloys and semi-finished products in the transport, construction and packaging industries. "Our order books are full and there is no end in sight to the trend. Compared to 2010, the global demand for aluminium will have doubled by 2020," said Dr. Martin Iffert, Chairman of the Executive Board of Trimet Aluminium SE. In order to meet the ongoing large demand for casting alloys, with its new ingot casting plant, Trimet has virtually doubled its capacity in this area. In total, the company invested almost 40 million euros in the expansion and modernization of its production facilities in the previous financial year.

An important growth market is vehicle manufacturing. In addition to specialized alloys, Trimet manufactures engine blocks, gearbox and clutch housings, mechatronic parts for gearboxes, structural and chassis parts, and pressure cast housings for the automotive industry. Despite weaker car sales, the rising demand for structural parts made of aluminium is acting as a driver of growth.

Policies which have reduced competitive constraints, says Iffert, have also been beneficial for corporate development. With the implementation of the European carbon dioxide emissions directive, since January 2013 Trimet has been receiving partial compensation for the CO2 costs included in the price of electricity. In the context of the deferrable load enactment, the company receives compensation for its contribution to the stabilization of the electrical grid. Trimet's aluminium smelter in Hamburg is the first industrial operation in the world outside of the power supply branch to take part in the primary operating reserve for safeguarding grid stability. With that, Trimet makes an important contribution to relieving the transmission network for power supply.