Norsk Hydro has confirmed it will close its Birtley aluminium extrusion plant in the UK at the end of May 2025, citing ongoing challenging market conditions. The 12,000 metric-ton-per-year facility had been scheduled to operate until the end of May, with closure expected by the end of June. The company has completed consultations with employees and their representatives regarding the decision.
Following the closure, customer orders and production from Birtley will be transferred to Hydro’s extrusion plants in Tibshelf and Cheltenham. Hydro stated that the consolidation of operations will provide a more sustainable platform for serving the UK market, maintaining its commitment to quality and service.
This move is part of a broader restructuring effort by Hydro’s Extrusions division to optimize its portfolio and reduce costs amid weak demand. The company previously announced plans to close its Luce anodizing facility in France in the third quarter of 2025 and to curtail 30,000 metric tons of recycling capacity at its Puget site in France. Hydro has indicated that further closures of recycling and extrusion facilities across Europe and the US are likely as it implements cost-saving and efficiency measures in response to continued market weakness.
Hydro outlined these actions in its fourth quarter 2024 results, emphasizing a proactive approach to enhancing operational effectiveness and adapting to current market realities.
