About Hydro Company history 1929 - 1945 1943: First taste of cold metal 1943: First taste of cold metal Hydro saw a future in the production of metal. It already had valuable access to hydroelectric power, which presented an opportunity. But the entry into this new industry tuned out to be both dramatic and unexpected. The Herøya plants were heavily damaged and many lives were lost in the air attack in the summer of 1943. In 1940, a production plant for magnesium alba (magnesium carbonate) was under construction at Hydro's industrial site at Herøya, near Porsgrunn, Southern Norway. The product was to be used as a dusting material in the production of magnesium metal. However the surprise invasion by German forces in April 1940 changed the course of developments. The German air force, the Luftwaffe, was a large consumer of aluminum and magnesium in the 1930s. Even before the outbreak of war, plans were drawn up to exploit industries in countries that were to be occupied. A short time after the invasion of Norway, Germany prepared plans for a major expansion of the light metals industry there. Porsgrunn was one site; Årdal was another. Big plans for Herøya There were plans to build an aluminum plant and a magnesium plant at Herøya. A new hydroelectric power project was initiated to provide electricity to the site. Earlier, Hydro had tried unsuccessfully to attain a licence for German magnesium technology. Now the situation had changed dramatically. IG Farben's electrolytic process, using sea water as raw material, was chosen. Formally, the work was channeled through a company named Nordisk Lettmetall (Nordic Light Metals). The owners were Hydro, IG Farben and Nordag, which represented the German aviation ministry. Construction proceeded, but slower than planned. The plans had to be altered, and were now to include oxide plants for aluminum and magnesium. These were to come on stream in the autumn of 1943. Updated: August 18, 2020 Hydro history in brief Let us show you the highlights of our history, in a compelling visual scrollstory. 1943: The Heroes of Telemark 1943: First taste of cold metal 1939: Holidays at Hydros cabins by the sea and in the mountains 1931: Labor conflict 1930: Cooperation and market shares during the depression 1929: Lifeline 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