Amid a natural gas shortage in Qatar, Hydro’s joint venture Qatalum has begun a controlled shutdown of its aluminium production
The controlled shutdown of the Qatalum smelter began on March 3 and is scheduled for completion by the end of the month. This step follows notification from the company’s gas supplier regarding an upcoming suspension in gas supply.
The purpose of the controlled shutdown is to reduce potential health, environmental and safety risks, while also preparing the facility for a possible restart in the future. If operations are halted completely, a full restart could take between six and twelve months, although the exact timing for resumption remains uncertain.
Hydro is currently engaging with customers, taking steps to lessen the impact, and exploring alternative channels to meet its contractual obligations. Ensuring the safety of Qatalum’s workforce continues to be its top priority.
Following the halt in aluminium production at Qatalum, Hydro has issued a Force Majeure notice to its customers associated with the facility.
Qatalum operates as a 50/50 joint venture between Hydro and Qatar Aluminum Manufacturing Company Q.P.S.C. (QAMCO). The facility has a production capacity of 648,000 metric tonnes of primary aluminium and a casthouse capacity of 687,000 metric tonnes. It is a fully integrated operation, comprising a smelter, casthouse, carbon plant, and a dedicated gas-fired power plant.
