Alcoa's Tennessee smelter restarts ahead of schedule

Alcoa on June 13 announced that it has begun to restart one line at its Tennessee Operations aluminum smelter. As previously announced, that line was idled due to a direct lightning strike in a severe electrical storm in mid-April. The potline, which produces approximately 107,000 metric tons per year (mtpy), is expected to be fully operational by June 30.

The potline was completely “frozen” after the lightning strike and each of the 164 pots had to be dug out and repaired. It was initially expected that the restart would take several months; it has been accomplished in approximately seven weeks thanks to the hard work of the employees in Tennessee.

The company has also reduced output at its Rockdale, Texas, aluminum smelter during refurbishment of the anode baking facilities. A line has been temporarily curtailed due to lower production of quality anodes. A refurbished bake furnace has now been started, anode quality has been restored, and pots are being restarted. This re-start will be completed during the fourth quarter of 2007.

The previously disclosed impact of the production curtailments has been updated to approximately $45 million in after-tax income in the second quarter.

Alcoa is the world's leading producer and manager of primary aluminum, fabricated aluminum and alumina facilities, and is active in all major aspects of the industry. Alcoa serves the aerospace, automotive, packaging, building and construction, commercial transportation and industrial markets, bringing design, engineering, production and other capabilities of Alcoa's businesses to customers. The company has 122,000 employees in 44 countries.