Novelis Inc., an Atlanta-based aluminum producer, announced plans this morning for a $2.5 billion aluminum recycling and rolling plant on Baldwin County’s 3,000-acre Mega Site in Bay Minette.
The factory will be able to product 600 kilotonnes of aluminum per year. More than half is destined for beverage cans, the company said, and most of the rest for the automotive market.
The Novelis plant “will be the first fully integrated aluminum mill built in the U.S. in 40 years,” the company said. “It will also be the most sophisticated and sustainable of its kind. It will aim to be net carbon neutral for Scope 1 and 2, be powered primarily be renewable energy, use recycled water and be a zero-waste facility.
“It will also rely on railroad transportation, which can reduce logistics-related carbon emissions by up to 70% compared to road transport.”
Novelis will also create an Advanced Manufacturing and Leadership/Training Center in Daphne to train its workforce.
“This investment marks the start of another transformational growth phase for Novelis,” said Kumar Mangalam Birla, chairman of the Aditya Birla Group and the Novelis board. “We continue to invest in each of the markets Novelis serves – from beverage can to automotive, aerospace and specialties — and in all geographies.”
Novelis Inc. CEO and President Steve Fisher added that, “Through this investment we are making a demonstrative commitment to continue to grow alongside our customers and meet their needs for low-carbon highly sustainable aluminum solutions” and that the facility has the ability to expand to meet demand.
The announcement is particularly welcome in Baldwin County, which had invested $32 million to purchase the land in 2012 and spent additional funds to make it attractive for a major investor.
“The Baldwin County Commission’s strategic investment in the South Alabama Mega Site was made with a return in mind, and that return has come to fruition with this major investment by Novelis,” said Baldwin County Commissioner Jeb Ball. “Having an innovative partner like Novelis located in North Baldwin County will propel our economy forward in new and exciting ways. We are honored to welcome the Novelis team to our community.”
“Baldwin County’s accelerated growth and forward-thinking leadership has made it possible to attract Novelis, a world-class company, to our community,” said Lee Lawson, president and CEO of the Baldwin County Economic Development Alliance. “The economic and generational impact this investment will have on Baldwin County will help further diversify and grow our economy for years to come.”
CSX, which serves the mega site, also welcomed the announcement, saying the railroad is “pleased … to be their transportation partner to move high-quality aluminum products across North America.”
Site work for the plant is underway and Novelis expects to be operational by mid-2025.
