Novelis, an Atlanta-based aluminum producer, on Wednesday announced the company’s plans for a $2.5 billion rolling and recycling plant in Baldwin County.
The company, which is a world leader in aluminum recycling, plans to create up to 1,000 jobs at its 3,000-acre Bay Minette mega-site. According to the governor’s office, Novelis plans for an average salary of $65,000.
Gov. Kay Ivey celebrated the company’s announcement and called the Yellowhammer State a “prime location” for Novelis’ expansion plans.
“With this massive investment and these large-scale hiring plans, Novelis will launch a high-tech aluminum mill that will generate significant economic impacts throughout the region for generations,” said Ivey in a release. “Novelis is a world-class company, and we know that it has selected a prime location in Sweet Home Alabama and specifically Baldwin County as home for its growth plans.”
Novelis advised that the new plant would be the most sophisticated and sustainable of its kind. The plant will be powered with renewable energy, use recycled water and be a zero-waste facility.
The plant’s modern sustainability features are part of Novelis’ plans to reduce its carbon footprint by 30% by 2026 and become carbon neutral by 2050.
Novelis president and CEO Steve Fisher spoke to the aluminum industry titan’s ambitious sustainability plans.
“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,” stated Fisher. “In addition, we are well positioned to efficiently expand capacity at this facility in the future — above the 600kt announced today — to capture ongoing strong demand. Our readiness to invest to serve growing markets is a perfect example of how we are delivering on our company purpose of shaping a sustainable world together.”
As work on the site is currently underway, Novelis expects to begin commissioning the facility in mid-2025.
Alabama Industrial Development Training (AIDT), the state’s primary workforce development agency, will actively assist Novelis in assembling and training a workforce for the facility.
Alabama Department of Commerce secretary Greg Canfield indicated that Novelis’ decision to build its mega-site in Baldwin County was due to the state’s business-friendly environment.
“Novelis’ decision to locate the nation’s most technologically advanced aluminum mill in Baldwin County is a powerful testament to both the state’s attractive business climate and to the capabilities of our talented manufacturing workforce,” proclaimed Canfield. “The magnitude of this project makes it a game-changing development for Alabama’s industrial sector and a jobs engine for the region.”
Novelis’ customer base consists of the beverage packaging, automotive, building and construction, aerospace and consumer electronics industries. The Bay Minette facility will primarily serve the growing beverage can market, according to the company.
Baldwin County Commissioner Jeb Ball said the commission’s strategic investment in the South Alabama mega-site “has come to fruition with this major investment by Novelis.”
“Having an innovative partner like Novelis located in North Baldwin County will propel our economy forward in new and exciting ways,” asserted Ball. “We are honored to welcome the Novelis team to our community.”
Lee Lawson, president and CEO of the Baldwin County Economic Development Alliance, said that the investment would have a “generational impact” on the area.
“Baldwin County’s accelerated growth and forward-thinking leadership has made it possible to attract Novelis, a world-class company, to our community,” advised Lawson. “The economic and generational impact this investment will have on Baldwin County will help further diversify and grow our economy for years to come.”
Novelis also announced plans to develop an Advanced Manufacturing and Leadership Center of Excellence in Daphne, which local leaders said would place Baldwin County at the forefront of innovation in workforce training and leadership in the metals industry.
Dylan Smith is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @DylanSmithAL
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