Hydro’s overall production volumes in the first quarter fell from the same period last year, reflecting the continued Alunorte curtailment and the recent cyber attack that caused production challenges, predominantly in Extruded Solutions.
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Hydro will revert with complete first-quarter financial results on June 5.
“The cyber attack that hit us on March 19 has affected our entire global organization, with Extruded Solutions having suffered the most significant operational challenges and financial losses,†says President and CEO Svein Richard Brandtzæg, adding that the overall financial impact of the cyber attack is estimated at NOK 400-450 million in the first quarter.
Hydro has a robust cyber insurance in place with recognized insurers.
“Recent developments in Brazil show that we are progressing towards a resolution of the production embargo on Alunorte, although the timing continues to be uncertain,†Brandtzæg says.
On April 12, Hydro and Ministerio Publico delivered a joint petition to the federal court in Brazil, asking for the production embargo against Alunorte to be lifted.
The petition is currently under evaluation by the court.
Hydro announced on April 12 that it has postponed its complete first quarter report to June 5 because of the cyber attack.
Preliminary data shows that external sales volumes in Extruded Solutions fell to 333,000 tonnes in the first quarter from 362,000 tonnes in the same quarter last year.
Extruded Solutions is focusing on its value over volume strategy, and had planned for the current quarter volumes somewhat below the same quarter last year before the cyber attack, which further reduced actual volumes.
Hydro’s other business areas nvestigation was launched before Hydro assumed full ownership of Sapa and relates to events dating back prior to 2015.
Hydro maintains its expectation of the global primary aluminium market to be in deficit for the full-year 2019, with continued macro uncertainty. ■