Novelis Inc., the aluminum rolled-products company formed in January as a spin-off of Alcan Inc. plans to close a casting operation at Borgofranco, Italy, and exit the European aluminum casting alloys business. The plant was among the assets acquired by Alcan in its acquisition of Pechiney in 2003.

"The casting alloys business is not a core part of the Novelis strategy," stated Chris Bark-Jones, president of Novelis Europe. "We are focused on enhancing our product portfolio in high-value rolled-products markets where we enjoy technological leadership."

The president also stated that Novelis studied other options, including selling the plant, but finally determined that there is “no feasible way of sustainably operating the plant."

A salt-cake recycling operation at the plant will continue operating as part of the environmental remediation of the site, until the stored salt cake is eliminated.