Sep 20 2004
"The heart of magnesium in Germany beats here - and now twice as fast." With these words, Hydro Automotibe president Dieter J. Braun inaugurated the new Hydro Magnesium expansion in Bottrop, Germany, on Saturday. The two new reprocessing lines double the unit's recycling capacity to 15,000 tonnes per year.
Hydro is the largest global supplier of magnesium alloys and has developed a strong network for remelting and reprocessing the lightest of all common structural metals. With two locations in Europe, Porsgrunn in Norway and Bottrop, Hydro now provides the largest volume of remelt magnesium to the European market: 35,000 tonnes per year.
Germany’s first magnesium plant celebrated this important step by a festive opening with local politicians, customers, neighbours and employees, including their families.
The Lord Mayor of Bottrop, Ernst Loechelt, praised Hydro’s commitment to the Bottrop operations. He also recognized the dedication of the Hydro staff in Bottrop: "You have demonstrated your innovative strength in Germany, and reconfirmed your tie to the Bottrop community."
Bottrop plant managing director Guenter Franke described the expansion as a milestone. "Our plant was established to serve the automotive industry in Germany: We convert magnesium production scrap for our customers. Our central location makes us an attractive and reliable partner for the industry."
The installation of the two new lines is an important step to meet the growing demands for magnesium products by the automotive industry.
"Magnesium products will play an increasingly important role in the automotive industry in the future", said Dieter Braun. "Bottrop was Hydro’s first magnesium production unit in Germany, and we continue to be impressed by the achievements and motivation of the workforce here. This extension was completed on time and well inside the budget."
Norsk Hydro Magnesiumgesellschaft was established in 1953 in Essen. In 1975, the company shifted its production to Bottrop and was acquired by Hydro as its first direct investment in Germany. Today, the subsidiary particularly works in two core businesses: the recycling of magnesium alloys and the manufacture of magnesium anodes and CORREX ®-anodes for all aspects of cathodic corrosion protection.
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