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Automotive

Novelis breaks ground on automotive aluminium facility in China

Novelis has broken ground on the expansion of its automotive aluminium manufacturing facility in Changzhou, China. The USD180 million investment will double the facility’s production capacity of heat-treated aluminium sheet by 100,000 tonnes in order to better meet the growing demand for automotive aluminium in Asia. The facility will also be equipped with a high-speed slitter and a fully automated packaging line. The expansion is expected to create around 160 jobs.

Novelis has broken ground on the expansion of its automotive aluminium manufacturing facility in Changzhou, China. The USD180 million investment will double the facility’s production capacity of heat-treated aluminium sheet by 100,000 tonnes in order to better meet the growing demand for automotive aluminium in Asia. The facility will also be equipped with a high-speed slitter and a fully automated packaging line. The expansion is expected to create around 160 jobs.

This expansion provides Novelis with the additional capacity needed to increase its production of innovative aluminium solutions to enable automotive manufacturers to develop the next generation of safer, stronger and lighter vehicles. The project is scheduled to be complete in 2020 in order to align with key customer’s vehicle-launch plans.

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The Changzhou facility will continue to partner with customers to launch their high performance aluminium intensive vehicles in Asia. Previous partner launches include the Cadillac CT6, CJLR’s Jaguar XFL and XEL, as well as the premium new-energy vehicle (NEV) NIO’s ES8 SUV, FAW-Volkswagen Audi A6L and HMC’s IONIQ and Kona electric vehicle models. In recognition of its quality products and outstanding customer service, Novelis received the honourable distinction of Excellent Supplier by FAW-Volkswagen in 2014 and 2015, and was awarded the equally impressive Strategy Cooperation award in 2016 and 2017 by Chery Jaguar Land Rover.

“As market demand for lighter, more fuel-efficient vehicles continues to grow, Novelis will play a critical role in supporting the next generation of automotive innovation and design,” said Satish Pai, managing director of Hindalco Industries, the parent company of Novelis Inc. “This expansion reinforces our steadfast commitment to our customers and communities, and reaffirms our continued confidence in this ever-growing market,” he added.

Novelis’ Changzhou plant is the company’s first aluminium automotive sheet manufacturing facility in China. The wholly owned USD100 million plant first began commissioning in 2014 with an annual capacity of 100,000 tonnes. Located in the heart of the Changzhou National Hi-Tech District, the plant provides customers in China and abroad with high-quality automotive sheet for use in lightweight vehicle structures and body panels with heat treatment and finishing capabilities.

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