Norwegian aluminum company Norsk Hydro ASA this week announced an investment plan of NOK 60 million (US $ 6.9 million) to install a new casting furnace in its operations at Hydro Sunndial. The casting furnace will be used to produce foundry alloys at the plant.

Hydro says the new casting furnace will increase the plant’s capacity by 35,000 metric tonnes per year. The new capacity will be used to produce special alloys for the automotive, building and construction industries, among others.

The company will begin construction immediately, with completion scheduled for early 2023.

Roar Ørsund, plant manager at Hydro Sunndial, said in a press release that the move responds to increased market demand for sustainable materials.

“We are delighted with this decision which strengthens Hydro Sunndal’s flexibility in the market and promotes greater consumption of low carbon aluminum. One example of a customer we’re happy with is that Sunndal’s aluminum will be used in Google’s new office building in New York. Like Google, we’re seeing more and more customers looking to use sustainable materials, and Sunndal’s use of low-carbon aluminum is now helping customers achieve their sustainability ambitions. “

“The demand for metals and materials produced with renewable energy is increasing and this offers great opportunities for Norwegian industry,” said Ola Sæter, head of primary production at Hydro. “Hydro has great ambitions for growth in Norway and the investments in Sunndal are an important step in the implementation of our strategy which will strengthen our position in the high-end low-carbon aluminum market. “

Norsk Hydro, which was founded in 1905, funded by the Swedish Wallenberg family and French banks, began life as Norsk hydro-elektrisk Kvælstofaktieselskab (literally, “Norwegian hydroelectric nitrogen limited”) by Sam Eyde. The Norwegian government currently owns around 40% of the company. Norsk Hydro is one of the largest aluminum companies in the world, with factories in Rjukan, Raufoss, Vennesla, Karmøy, Høyanger, Årdal, Sunndalsøra and Holmestrand. Norsk also has several factories abroad, notably in Germany and Brazil.