Hydro's 2030 Vision: Leading the Charge in Green Aluminium

Hydro's Sustainable Journey Toward 2030

Hydro is taking significant strides in advancing its 2030 strategy, which focuses on harnessing opportunities presented by the green transition. The company aims to drive growth in aluminium recycling and extrusions while pursuing renewable power generation and sustainability goals. These topics are crucial as Hydro prepares for its Capital Markets Day 2024.

Key Highlights of the Strategy

Hydro plans to launch a new improvement initiative, targeting NOK 6.5 billion in enhancements by 2030. This improvement effort is designed to solidify Hydro's execution in Recycling and Extrusions, reaffirming its potential for adjusted EBITDA despite facing market challenges. Notably, the battery and Havrand divisions are set to be phased out to streamline business focus.

The company's Hydro REDUXA and Hydro CIRCAL product lines are expected to see sales growth exceeding 20% in 2024, even in the face of weak market conditions in Europe and North America. Furthermore, Hydro is reaffirming a capex guidance of NOK 15 billion for 2025 and addressing working capital estimates of NOK 29 billion by 2024, driven by higher upstream prices and fluctuations in currency.

Hydro's president and CEO, Eivind Kallevik, underscored that the firm is well-positioned to capture long-term value within the aluminium market. He remarked, "Our refined strategic focus, paired with a robust capital allocation framework, will enable us to deliver consistent returns and fuel profitable growth across our value chain."

Strengthening Recycling and Extrusions

Hydro remains optimistic about the long-term value of its Recycling segment and its role in fulfilling the rising demand for low-carbon products. Despite temporary challenges posed by tighter scrap supply and diminished aluminium demand, Hydro's expertise in sourcing and processing complex scrap types positions it for profitable growth aligned with its ambitious 2030 targets.

The company is on track to reach a capacity of 700 kt of post-consumer scrap (PCS) by the end of 2024, moving towards its wider goal of obtaining 850 –1,200 kt by 2030. Efforts in Recycling extend beyond merely increasing PCS capacity, focusing also on reducing hot metal costs by USD 20–30 per tonne through improvements and expansions.

Even amid current market obstacles, Hydro Extrusions is identifying significant opportunities for profit growth. By modernizing its global network with automation and operational enhancements, the unit is set on optimizing its operations and is confident in delivering between NOK 1.7-2.0 billion in improvements by 2030. While facing challenges like weak demand, there's a projected demand growth of 30% in North America and 20% in Europe that can revitalize market positions.

Investing in Renewable Energy Generation

The transition to green aluminium hinges on increased access to renewable energy at reasonable prices. Hydro Energy is expanding its portfolio across various technologies and markets. Notably, projects in Norway aim to add significant capacity to support both Hydro's operations and broader industrial activities.

For instance, Hydro is collaborating with Lyse in Røldal-Suldal to develop a project that would deliver an additional 650 MW capacity. Similarly, newer initiatives include a 48 MW Pumped Storage plant in Sogn and ongoing projects in onshore wind and solar power to secure sustainable energy for the future.

Decarbonization and Technological Innovation

Hydro is advancing towards its goal of net-zero emissions by 2050 by leveraging innovative approaches throughout its value chain. Significant milestones for the upcoming years encompass various projects aiming to reduce emissions while increasing efficiency across operations.

To support this goal, Hydro is focused on transitioning from coal to electric solutions and integrating renewable power agreements to heavily reduce emissions by 2030. Alongside technological advancements, the company is invested in committing to biodiversity initiatives globally, ensuring that their strategies align with sustainable practices.

Focus on Growth and Profitability

The recent financial performance underscores Hydro's resilience, with an adjusted EBITDA of NOK 22.4 billion for the period from Q4 2023 to Q3 2024. This suggests that Hydro's strategic investments and targeted improvements are beginning to yield positive results.

The company is set to propose significant shareholder distributions, further reinforcing its commitment to maintaining an attractive capital structure. Looking ahead, Hydro programs are crucial in enhancing resilience and creating value across its operations.

Hydro's focused improvement program revolves around three strategic pillars: operational enhancements, refined procurement processes, and commercial excellence, targeting an overall impact of NOK 6.5 billion by 2030. These developments highlight Hydro's innovative solutions designed to foster a more sustainable aluminium market.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Hydro's main goal with its 2030 strategy?

Hydro's primary aim is to lead the green aluminium transition by enhancing its recycling capabilities and renewable energy initiatives.

How much capital does Hydro plan to invest through 2025?

Hydro has set a guidance for its capex at NOK 15 billion annually, with the potential for an additional NOK 1-2 billion based on market growth.

What is the expected growth in Hydro's Hydro CIRCAL and REDUXA products?

Hydro anticipates over 20% sales growth for both Hydro CIRCAL and REDUXA in 2024.

What distinguishes Hydro in the aluminium market?

Hydro's unique integrated value chain allows it to navigate volatile markets effectively while focusing on low-carbon and sustainable products.

How does Hydro address its emissions with its production processes?

Hydro is prioritizing projects that facilitate the shift to renewable energy, aiming for a significant reduction in emissions by 2030.

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