Century Aluminum Decides to Idle Kentucky Smelter

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): Century Aluminum Company announced that it has decided to temporarily idle its smelter in Hawesville, Kentucky. The company cited soaring energy prices as the reason behind the decision. The smelter is expected to commence the idling process on 27^th June, Monday.

According to company press release, it expects to idle the smelter operations for a period of approximately nine to twelve months, within which it expects the energy prices to return to normal level. Meantime, the company is engaged in all efforts to avoid the temporary curtailment, it said.

Most of the around 600 workers at the smelter have received notice under the WARN Act that they will be temporarily laid off. The company assured that it will work with all of its employees and the local union to help employees in identifying unemployment support and training opportunities. The company does not have any plans right now to idle any of its other facilities, the press release stated.

Jesse Gary, President and CEO, Century Aluminum noted that the power cost required to run the Hawesville smelter has more than tripled the historical average in a very short period, which has made the temporary curtailment unavoidable. The company expects moderation in energy prices in the next year. Furthermore, it continues to believe strongly in the future prospects of the smelter, he added.

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