[Hydro to Close Birtley Extrusion Plant in the UK]
Hydro has announced the closure of its Birtley extrusion plant in the UK by the end of May 2025, citing difficult market conditions. The decision follows a consultation process with employees and representatives. Approximately 100 employees will be made redundant, though Hydro has sought to offer alternative positions at other UK sites and provide support to those affected.
The Birtley plant, which operated two presses with an annual capacity of around 12,000 tonnes, will have its customer base and production transferred to Hydro’s Tibshelf and Cheltenham facilities. Hydro emphasized its continued commitment to the UK market, stating that the consolidation will enable a more sustainable operational platform. The closure was also noted in the company’s Q4 2024 financial results.