Norwegian aluminum producer Norsk Hydro will consolidate its European operations by announcing the closure of five extrusion plants scheduled for 2026. This decision is to improve the long-term competitiveness of its Hydro Extrusions business.

The plants planned for shutdown are located in Cheltenham and Bedwas in the UK, Lüdenscheid in Germany, Feltre in Italy, and Drunen in the Netherlands. The proposed action impacts 730 employees and involves eight extrusion presses and three scrap-fed recycling units across the five sites.

Hydro said that customers currently served by these locations will be transitioned to other Hydro facilities. After the closures, Hydro Extrusions will operate 28 plants and five recycling facilities in Europe.