Hydro restarts Brazil alumina refinery at half capacity

Norwegian aluminium company Norsk Hydro will restart its Alunorte alumina refinery, in Brazil, at 50% capacity, following approval by federal environmental agency IBAMA to use its press filter technology for processing bauxite residues.

The “exceptional” authorisation, which was granted on Friday, will extend the life of the residue deposit area 1 (DRS1), which is close to reaching its capacity, and will allow Alunorte to continue operations.