Century Aluminum resumes production at Grundartangi ahead of schedule

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): Century Aluminum has restarted production in the second potline at its Norðurál smelter in Grundartangi, Iceland, several months earlier than planned.

Employees energised the first pots in Grundartangi’s second potline and will continue to restart the remaining pots on an accelerated schedule to reach close to full production by the end of July.

Potline two represents about two-thirds of the plant’s total capacity.

The restart comes after specialists, in collaboration with the designers and the manufacturer of the equipment, made repairs to the transformers after an unanticipated failure.

Permanent replacement transformers have been ordered and will be installed upon expected delivery in the autumn.

Jesse Gary, President and CEO of Century Aluminum, said: “We’re proud of our Grundartangi team, who worked tirelessly to resume production under difficult circumstances.

“The team demonstrated resolve and resilience in undertaking repairs to resume production faster.

"Coupled with our recent production expansion at Mt. Holly, Grundartangi’s restart reinforces Century’s commitment to meeting our customers’ needs with the urgency the marketplace demands.

 Courtesy: www.aluminumtoday.com