“Hydro has reacted swiftly to the ongoing crisis by implementing a string of firm and efficient actions, which have improved our position considerably. But the weak demand for aluminium and aluminium products, combined with the strong Norwegian currency, call for even tougher measures to cut costs throughout the company and improve the upstream cost position,” says Hydro CEO Svein Richard Brandtzæg.

The Norwegian-based aluminium and energy company remains optimistic about the long-term prospects for aluminium, as the light-weight and endlessly recyclable metal is seen as a crucial part of the solution to the world’s climate challenges. In product application, aluminium makes cars lighter and buildings more energy-efficient, paving the way for business opportunities across Hydro's value chain.

”Our long-term view on aluminium is encouraging. Aluminium will play an increasingly important role in an energy-constrained world. Hydro's technological edge and leading metallurgical competence provide a solid platform to take advantage of promising upstream and downstream growth opportunities,” Brandtzæg says.

Hydro’s Capital Markets Day includes the following highlights:

• Hydro is launching a new cost-improvement program to reduce cash operating costs by USD 100 per tonne primary aluminium in 2012 compared to the 2009 level. 90 percent of the improvement is expected to be realized by end-2011. The improvement excludes Qatalum and impact of raw material prices.
  
  
• Qatalum remains on target for start-up at the turn of the year 09/10 and will reach full production during fourth quarter 2010. The earnings contribution from Qatalum is expected to be somewhat negative in 2010 at the current aluminium price and affected by build-up costs and full depreciation.
  
  
• Hydro has entered into an agreement to divest its Spanish 30,000 tonnes rolling mill Inasa in a cash-neutral transaction.
  
  
• Total capital expenditures in 2010 are expected to be NOK 5.3 billion, down from NOK 10.2 billion in 2009. This includes project-financed investments in Qatalum of NOK 4.2 billion in 2009. Sustaining capital expenditures are being further reduced from about NOK 3.0 billion in 2009 to about NOK 2.5-3.0 billion in 2010.
  
  
• Hydro prioritizes highly the maintenance of an investment grade credit rating. At the end of third quarter, Hydro had a net cash position of NOK 2.4 billion mainly supported by significant operating capital reductions during the first nine months.
  
  
• The current market imbalance for primary aluminium in the world outside China is expected to continue into 2010, but at a lower level. Hydro is well prepared to capture business opportunities should markets change significantly.
  
  
• Long-term prospects for aluminium remain encouraging, supported by high aluminium consumption in urbanization and infrastructure development, aluminium as part of the solution to the climate challenge and aluminium recyclability qualities. Aluminium semis consumption is expected to average 6.5 percent the next 10 years, led by the transportation and construction sectors.

Investor contact

Contact       Stefan Solberg
Telephone   +47 22539280
Cellular       +47 91727528
E-mail         Stefan.Solberg@hydro.com

Press contact

Contact       Halvor Molland
Telephone   +47 22532421
Cellular       +47 92979797
E-mail         Halvor.Molland@hydro.com

Certain statements included within this announcement contain forward-looking information, including, without limitation, those relating to (a) forecasts, projections and estimates, (b) statements of management’s plans, objectives and strategies for Hydro, such as planned expansions, investments or other projects, (c) targeted production volumes and costs, capacities or rates, start-up costs, cost reductions and profit objectives, (d) various expectations about future developments in Hydro’s markets, particularly prices, supply and demand and competition, (e) results of operations, (f) margins, (g) growth rates, (h) risk management, as well as (i) statements preceded by “expected”, “scheduled”, “targeted”, “planned”, “proposed”, “intended” or similar statements.

Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, these forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions and forecasts that, by their nature, involve risk and uncertainty.  Various factors could cause our actual results to differ materially from those projected in a forward-looking statement or affect the extent to which a particular projection is realized.  Factors that could cause these differences include, but are not limited to: our continued ability to reposition and restructure our upstream and downstream aluminium business; changes in availability and cost of energy and raw materials; global supply and demand for aluminium and aluminium products; world economic growth, including rates of inflation and industrial production; changes in the relative value of currencies and the value of commodity contracts; trends in Hydro’s key markets and competition; and legislative, regulatory and political factors.

No assurance can be given that such expectations will prove to have been correct.  Hydro disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.