According to local media reports on Wednesday, Uniprom, a company in Montenegro, has closed down the last 12 electrolysis cells at KAP (Aluminium Plant Podgorica), ending aluminium production at the plant after 52 years.
However, the facilities for aluminium logs and aluminium alloy production will continue to operate, importing the metal for manufacturing purposes. Sources reported that around 50 workers had been left unemployed due to the closure of the plant.
Uniprom associates revealed: "The government illegally took emission credits from Uniprom and assigned them to EPCG, contrary to an EU directive. The European Energy Community has already started the procedure, and the damage is worth tens of millions of euros. After the EU report arrives, we will continue with further activities. Production at other factories at KAP remains uninterrupted."
In December 2021, most of the electrolysis cells were shut down because EPCG (power utility) refused to supply electricity to the plant at the previous price of 44 euros ($48) per MWh due to an increase in prices on power exchanges.
In a drastic change of events, KAP had to go through bankruptcy proceedings in 2013 and was sold by the Montenegro Government in 2014. Since then, Uniprom has led the unit to produce 20 per cent of the Balkan nation’s total aluminium exports.
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