Novelis to build $2.5bn aluminum recycling and rolling plant in Bay Minette

Novelis, a fully-owned subsidiary of India-based Hindalco Industries, will construct a $2.5 billion aluminum recycling and rolling plant in Bay Minette, Alabama.

Expected to be commissioned from mid-2025 onwards, the new low-carbon rolling and recycling factory will have an initial capacity of 600 kilotonnes of finished aluminum goods per annum.

Steve Fisher — Novelis President and CEO said: “Through this investment, we are making a demonstrative commitment to continue to grow alongside our customers and meet their needs for low-carbon, highly sustainable aluminum solutions.

“In addition, we are well-positioned to efficiently expand capacity at this facility in the future – above the 600kt announced today – to capture ongoing strong demand. Our readiness to invest to serve growing markets is a perfect example of how we are delivering on our company purpose of shaping a sustainable world together.”

Novelis to build $2.5bn aluminum recycling and rolling plant in Bay Minette. Photo courtesy of Novelis Inc.

Over 50% of the capacity of the new aluminum recycling and rolling plant in Bay Minette will be utilized for meeting the increasing demand for aluminum beverage can sheet in North America.

Novelis said that its move to construct a fully integrated, greenfield recycling and rolling factory in Alabama is underpinned by strong demand in North America for flat-rolled, low-carbon aluminum from can makers and beverage firms.

Apart from the beverage can market, the aluminum recycling and rolling factory will cater to the automotive market.

Ron Lewis — Ball Corporation chief operating officer of global beverage packaging said: “As the world’s leading supplier of infinitely recyclable aluminum beverage packaging, Ball is committed to creating a circular economy within the aluminum industry and decarbonizing the value chain is fundamental to this work.

“Novelis’ new recycling and rolling plant will not only add much needed domestic production of sustainable aluminum here in North America but will do so while decreasing the carbon footprint of the products we create.”

The Novelis aluminum recycling and rolling plant in Bay Minette is estimated to generate up to 1,000 jobs in modern manufacturing.

By adding a new recycling center for beverage cans, the Hindalco subsidiary will be able to soon recycle 90 billion cans globally, up from its present recycling capacity of 74 billion used beverage cans.

Earlier this month, Novelis began construction on a $365m aluminum recycling center in Guthrie, Kentucky to serve the automotive sector in North America.