Hydro Alumetal integration positions Hydro as recycled aluminium leader

Hydro

Hydro Alumetal integration marks a decisive shift in Europe’s recycled aluminium market. Norway’s Hydro will fully integrate Alumetal and rebrand its four recycling plants under the Hydro name. The move aims to create one unified supplier brand for automotive foundry alloys across Europe.

Hydro Alumetal integration builds scale in European foundry alloys

Hydro Alumetal integration brings 280,000 t/yr of recycled aluminium capacity under a single industrial platform. The three Polish sites will operate as Hydro Kety, Hydro Gorzyce and Hydro Nowa Sol, while Hungary’s plant becomes Hydro Komarom. These locations primarily serve the automotive industry, which demands consistent, certifiable foundry alloys.

Hydro already invested in modernising and expanding the Kety plant to upgrade productivity and product quality. As a result, the integrated footprint can support more complex alloy portfolios and tighter customer specifications. The company also gains better logistics coordination across central Europe, which helps large original equipment manufacturers manage just-in-time deliveries.

By presenting “one face to the market”, Hydro Alumetal integration is designed to lift its share in European foundry alloys. A unified commercial strategy should also strengthen pricing power in a segment under pressure from energy costs and import competition. Over time, integration can unlock further synergies in scrap sourcing, melting efficiency and low-carbon product development.

The Metalnomist Commentary

Hydro Alumetal integration underlines how recycled aluminium is becoming a core strategic pillar for European metals groups. The move tightens Hydro’s grip on automotive foundry alloys just as carmakers intensify their focus on circularity and embedded CO₂. The key watchpoint will be how quickly Hydro converts brand integration and past investments into higher margins and premium low-carbon alloy offerings.