Hydro to Restart 75,000 Mt Aluminum Capacity by 2027
Industrial users should anticipate a supply shift as the Slovalco smelter works to secure power for a February 2027 restart.
Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Manufacturing
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Hydro intends to restart 75,000 metric tons of primary aluminum capacity at its Slovalco smelter in Slovakia by February 2027. This move signals a partial reactivation of a facility that has been offline for over three years, following three consecutive quarters of European production growth in 2026.
Why it matters
The restart reflects a strategic adjustment to regional supply conditions, as manufacturing operators across Europe navigate three consecutive quarters of aluminum output growth. Securing reliable power remains the primary operational hurdle for bringing this sidelined capacity back into the market.
Hydro is targeting a 75,000 mt annual increase in primary aluminum production by February 2027, an effort following three straight quarters of growth in European output. An additional 100,000 mt of capacity at the Slovalco site remains sidelined pending future operating conditions.
The players
Hydro
A global aluminum and energy company with operations spanning the full value chain.
Slovalco
A primary aluminum smelter in Slovakia currently held in a multi-year state of shutdown.
Boguchany smelter
An aluminum production facility in Siberia designated as a long-term partnership expansion site.
The details
The reactivation of the Slovalco facility depends entirely on the operator securing new power agreements to offset high energy costs that initially forced the shutdown over three years ago. If successfully restarted, the site will join the Boguchany smelter in Siberia, where a separate partnership aims to add 150,000 mt of capacity as part of a long-term development strategy.
Timeline
February 2027: The target date for the 75,000 mt Slovalco capacity restart.
After 2030: The earliest window for evaluating the remaining 100,000 mt of capacity at the Slovalco plant.
Market Landscape
This restart follows three consecutive quarters of primary aluminum production growth in Europe throughout 2026. It marks a departure from the multi-year shutdown trend that has defined the regional market for the Slovalco site.
Manufacturers dependent on primary aluminum should monitor the February 2027 restart date as a key indicator for regional supply chain stability. Operators must factor the uncertainty of power agreements into their mid-term procurement contracts until the facility reaches full production.
The takeaway
The return of sidelined capacity signals an evolving outlook for European primary aluminum supply. Operators should track the energy cost environment as the February 2027 restart deadline approaches to determine if this supply increase relieves existing market tightness.
Further reading
For broader trends affecting production capacity, see our coverage in Manufacturing.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Metal.
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