Pittsburgh-based Alcoa Corp. recently announced its Portland Aluminium smelter in Victoria, Australia, will immediately begin reducing its overall production.
“Our teams are focused on safely taking the production offline and working to restore stability across the facility,” said Bill Oplinger, Alcoa executive vice president and COO. “Completing this task in a controlled fashion is our priority as we work to improve operations.”
The decrease is in response to operational instability related to the production of rodded anodes. Anodes are needed to convey electricity into the smelting pots, and the facility has 408 pots.
Production will be reduced to approximately 75 percent of the total consolidated capacity of 358,000 metric tons per year (mtpy). Alcoa’s share of the total capacity is 197,000 mtpy.
Prior to reduction, the smelter had been operating at approximately 95 percent of total capacity.
Alcoa Corp. is a global bauxite, alumina, and aluminum products provider. The company aims to re-invent the aluminum industry for a sustainable future.
Alcoa Corp. owns 60 percent of Alcoa of Australia Limited. Alumina Limited owns the remaining 40 percent.
Portland Aluminium is an unincorporated joint venture. Alcoa of Australia Limited owns 55 percent. CITIC Nominees Pty Ltd and Marubeni Aluminium Australia Pty Ltd each own 22.5 percent.