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Norway's Hydro to phase out battery and green hydrogen companies

Norwegian aluminium maker Norsk Hydro is no longer buying its battery and green hydrogen companies and will phase out these operations due to the tough market conditions, it stated on Wednesday.

As part of its drive to concentrate on green aluminium, Hydro is introducing a new expense cutting programme targeting 6.5 billion Norwegian crowns ($ 582 million) of cost savings by 2030, with an aim of strengthening its aluminium recycling and extrusions operations towards 2030.

Battery materials and green hydrogen will no longer be tactical growth locations for Hydro and no more capital will be designated, it stated in a statement ahead of its financier day.

Hydro said it would continue to support battery recycler Hydrovolt as a commercial owner in close relate to its recycling organization and strategic partners.

It last month said it was now the sole financier of the joint endeavor established with Sweden's Northvolt in 2020.

Northvolt, when hailed as Europe's finest shot at a home-grown EV battery champ, declared U.S. Chapter 11 personal bankruptcy protection last week after talks with investors and financial institutions including Volkswagen and Goldman Sachs for funding failed.

The prepared expense savings will come through functional performance, much better procurement processes and digital change, Hydro stated.

The group validated its 2030 changed core profit target at the lower end of a 5-8 billion crown range in spite of continued market obstacles.

Hydro's aluminium volumes have actually fallen in Europe this year, struck by lower electrical car production coming from Germany's. unexpected termination of EV subsidies and the looming EU. tariffs on China-made imports.

(source: Reuters)