【Ferro-alloys.com】: As aluminium shortage fears have loomed globally in recent weeks, Nasdaq-listed Century Aluminum has announced restarted production in the second potline of its Norðurál smelter, in Iceland – several months earlier than planned.

Employees have energized the first pots in the second potline and will continue restarting the remaining pots on an accelerated schedule to reach close to full production by the end of July.

Potline two represents about two-thirds of the plant’s total capacity.

The restart comes after specialists, collaborating with the designers and the manufacturer of the equipment, made repairs to the transformers following an unanticipated failure. Permanent replacement transformers have been ordered and will be installed upon expected delivery this fall.

“We’re proud of our Grundartangi team, who worked tirelessly to resume production under difficult circumstances,” says Century Aluminum president and CEO Jesse Gary.

He commends the team on site’s resolve and resilience for having undertaken repairs to resume production faster.

Century Aluminum also reached first production of hot metal from its expanded Mt Holly plant in South Carolina earlier this month, which followed major plant expansions. This plant will reach full production capacity by the end of June, adding 10% to the US’ total primary aluminium production capacity.

“Coupled with our recent production expansion at Mt Holly, in the US, Norðurál’s restart reinforces Century’s commitment to meeting our customers’ needs with the urgency the marketplace demands,” Gary concludes.

• [Editor:Alakay]