Century Aluminum plans to continue operations at its aluminum smelter in Hawesville, Ky., but the company will still idle 60 percent of its working capacity at the plant later this month, resulting in more than 300 layoffs.
Century previously announced that it would idle all of its operations at the Hancock County smelter beginning October 24 "unless the current pricing environment substantially changes.” Century CEO Michael Bless says that China’s increasing aluminum market has caused a collapse in the industry’s pricing.
The smelter employs more than 560 workers. Century spokesman Kenny Barkley said Thursday that 250 employees will remain on after the partial idling at the smelter. Those workers still be under a Working Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) that states the plant could still halt all operations if high purity levels are not met or if the aluminum market continues to slide.
Century's operations at their smelter in Sebree, Ky. are unaffected at this time.
