About Hydro Company history 2006 - 2017 2017: 100% aluminum 2017: 100% aluminum Hydro’s acquisition of extruding giant Sapa brings the company another step closer to a leading position in the global aluminum industry. Hydro owned 50% of Sapa between 2013 and 2017. Better. Bigger. Greener. More than 35,000 employees. 100% aluminum. The journey from Sapa to Hydro was a short one for many of the 23,000 employees in the business unit now called Extrusion Solutions. From 2013 to October 2017, the extruding business originally consisted of the Swedish company Sapa, and Hydro's former Extrusion division. Sapa and Hydro were the two international leaders within aluminum profiles and systems for many years. With over 100 manufacturing facilities serving regional markets in all parts of the world, the new Hydro business unit will be able to provide customers with even better service, with even greater emphasis on product development and even greener solutions, integrated into the world's leading aluminum environment. Hydro's history goes back to 1905, when the company started building what was Europe's largest hydroelectric power station in Telemark. The purpose was the first successful production of nitrogen fertilizer to feed a growing population. More than 100 years later, the same hydroelectric power is used for the production of aluminum, including at the world's most energy efficient pilot plant for aluminum production at Karmøy, which came online in 2017. Full concentration After the Norwegian conglomerate Norsk Hydro ASA listed the original fertilizer business (Yara) on the stock exchange in 2004, and merged its oil operations with Statoil in 2007, aluminum has been the sole focus. Hydro strengthened its presence in Europe with the takeover of the German aluminum company VAW in 2002, and went on to develop a strong position within rolled products, including packaging, construction and transportation. In recent years, the company has concentrated heavily on the manufacture of aluminum plates and other light, safe and energy-efficient solutions for the automotive industry. The company's position as an integrated aluminum producer was further strengthened through the takeover of mining company Vale's aluminum business in Brazil in 2011. This acquisition secured Hydro long-term access to the key raw material bauxite, majority ownership of the huge Alunorte alumina refinery and a 50% interest in the Albras aluminum plant. Hydro is now well-integrated into the value chain from bauxite mining to the tailoring of complete aluminum solutions for customers all around the world. Integrated since 1917 Integration is nothing new in the aluminum industry. The company's oldest aluminum plant, Hydro Høyanger, was established as early as 1915 by Sigurd Kloumann, who had also been responsible for the development of Hydro's first two power plants in Telemark, Norway in 1905. At the time, he was only 25 years old. Kloumann thought big, not necessarily in terms of volume, but in the value chain. He wanted the company to be integrated into the value chain from the extraction of bauxite to the manufacture of finished products, resulting in the first integrated aluminum company in Norwegian ownership. Investment in further processing was channeled through Nordic Aluminumindustri, now Hydro's rolling mill in Holmestrand. This was Norway's leading environment for further refinement of aluminum for many years, with the emphasis on tailoring for customers within a variety of different industries. Long lines When Hydro made its first steps into aluminum 50 years ago, it was with the construction of an integrated aluminum-environment at Karmøy, including aluminum plants, rolling mills and extruders. The start of Karmøy in 1967 was demanding, but nevertheless formed the basis for the development of a large further processing system with the emphasis on aluminum profiles. Updated: April 13, 2021 Hydro history in brief Let us show you the highlights of our history, in a compelling visual scrollstory. 2017: 100% aluminum 2013: The world's biggest manufacturer of aluminum extrusions 2011: Hydro came full circle in Brazil 2007: Just aluminum, 105 years on About Hydro Key facts Hydro worldwide The Hydro Way Brand center Corporate governance Modern Slavery Transparency statement Website cookies Contact Contact Media contacts Investor Relations Contacts Customer service portal Follow us Instagram Facebook LinkedIn Twitter Flickr YouTube Shapes Suppliers Privacy policy Terms & conditions Accessibility Sitemap © 2021 Norsk Hydro ASA