Novelis, Atlanta, announces the opening of its expanded aluminum rolling operations in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The expansion increases production capacity at the plant by more than 50% to greater than 600,000 metric tons of aluminum sheet per year. The $340 million investment represents the largest capital expansion by Novelis in South America in the past decade.
The expansion included the installation of a third cold rolling mill, designed with advanced technology, to deliver improved product quality and productivity. In addition, the investment included a new ingot casting center as well as a new pusher furnace for the hot rolling mill. “With the expansion of our plant, we expect to meet the growing demand for aluminum flat rolled products in South America for the next decade,” says Phil Martens, President and CEO of Novelis.
“The investment strengthens the company’s leadership position in key markets including beverage cans and aluminum packaging,” says Tadeu Nardocci, President of Novelis South America.”We are expanding our recycling operations, increasing the use of post-consumer aluminum scrap, and accelerating the development of new alloys that contain a greater percentage of recycled content.”
Novelis is the leading producer of flat rolled aluminum products in South America and the only company in the region with the ability to produce aluminum can sheet. Other markets served by the company in South America include transportation, electrical appliances, foil and packaging, and the automotive industry. Currently, Novelis South America employs approximately 1,800 people.
