Novelis Inc. is adapting its plant in Goettingen, Germany, to meet growing demand for recyclable aluminum automotive sheet.
The Goettingen plant will produce 20,000 tonnes of automotive sheet per year following the first phase of its expansion and double that capacity in a planned second phase.
Currently, Novelis’ European operations only produce automotive sheet in Nachterstedt, Germany, and Sierre, Switzerland.
"The increased production at our Goettingen plant is part of our global expansion plan in the automotive sector," Erwin Mayr, senior vice president of Novelis and president of Novelis Europe, said in a statement. "Novelis is adding capacity worldwide to meet growing demand for rolled aluminum used in the design of a new generation of lighter, more fuel-efficient vehicles."
The Goettingen plant currently produces high-quality sheet for the lithographic and packaging markets, as well as painted sheet for a variety of applications. It also produces aluminum bottles, cartridges, cans and housings using the impact extrusion process.
"Novelis is investing around the world to boost its automotive finishing capabilities," the Atlanta-based company said. "In North America, an expansion at the Oswego, N.Y., plant will add 240,000 tonnes, and a new plant under construction in Changzhou, China, will have a capacity of 120,000 tonnes."