Hydro extends partnership agreements with Bilfinger
03/24/2023
Bilfinger is Hydro's main partner for relining of the electrolysis cells and foundry furnaces in Norway. Today, the partnership agreements were extended by another five years.
There are over a thousand electrolysis cells at Hydro's aluminum plants in Norway. Every five to seven years, the cells must be relined. This involves removing refractory linings and carbon material and reline with new refractory material and new cathodes. This is a continuous work that is complicated and physically demanding, but very much necessary for the life of the cells.
Bilfinger is Hydro's main partner in this work, and today the partnership agreements were extended by another five years.
- Both parties are satisfied to have established new long-term agreements, and to continue the good collaboration, says Eilif Gundersen, Category Manager at Hydro Aluminum Metal.
For the foundry agreement, development work has been carried out relating to prefabricated lining elements and thinner linings, which results in shorter down time and increased casting volume in the furnaces. This development work will continue also in the new agreement period.
- It has been a long and thorough process on both sides, and the contributions from local representatives has been absolutely essential, says Gundersen.
High competence and focus on safety
Some of the ambitions for the collaboration over the next five years are to further improve work processes, adopt new equipment, improve electricity yield and closer integration within HSE.
- Bilfinger works closely with us, and we have a joint responsibility for reducing the downtime of the electrolysis cells or foundry furnaces that are being relined. With Bilfinger, we have a partner who has very high level of competence, and who has a very high standard within HSE, says Gundersen.
- We are very pleased that Hydro has chosen Bilfinger as partner for refractory services for a new five-year period, says Jens Kåre Aasen, head of Refractory at Bilfinger Engineering & Maintenance Nordics AS. - It shows that we have a very good cooperation, and gives us continuity in our joint work with further improvements in HSE, reduced costs and reduced down time on Hydro's equipment in their plants. - In addition, the agreements help to strengthen our presence at each of Hydro's plants and provide good flexibility and utilization of the crews locally and between the various plants, says Aasen.
From left: Ellen Jørgensen (Head of Strategic Sourcing) Hydro Aluminium Metal, Elisabeth Holmsen (Head of Procurement) Hydro Aluminium Metal, Eilif Gundersen (Category Manager), Hydro Aluminium Metal, Jens Kåre Aasen, (Manager Refractory) Bilfinger E&M Nordics AS, Jon H. Strømme (Director Business Development & KAM), Bilfinger E&M Nordics AS, and Paul Rune Aasrum (Managing Director), Bilfinger E&M Nordics AS.
