Hamburg, 24 November 2011 – Aurubis AG, Europe’s largest copper
producer and leading international copper recycler, has initiated a
process to optimize and consolidate its production capacity for flat
rolled copper products. The Group takes this step in light of existing
structural overcapacity in the European flat rolled products market and
declining demand in certain market segments such as engine cooling.
Aurubis plans to transfer production volumes from its Finspång
(Sweden) plant to other production sites in Europe and the United
States. The process is expected to be completed over a period of up to
two years. Union consultations about the planned relocation have
commenced today.

“For several years we have observed a declining trend in the global markets
for copper and brass radiators. It is necessary for the Group to consolidate
production capacities in order to enhance its competitiveness in this
segment,” said Dr. Stefan Boel, Executive Board member in charge of the
Business Unit Copper Products.

Aurubis acquired the Finspång plant as a part of Luvata’s Rolled Products
Division as of 1. September 2011. Despite its high level of productivity and
excellent quality, Finspång has not generated any profit during the past years
due to the decline in its markets and the structural overcapacity in the rolled
products industry. Aurubis therefore plans to relocate the production
volumes, but only parts of the equipment from Finspång to its production site
in Zutphen (Netherlands). In addition, some production volumes may be
transferred to the Aurubis site in Buffalo (United States). The planned move
will enable Aurubis to consolidate production volumes, to improve economies
of scale and to reduce currency risks.

Aurubis initiated consultations with the local unions in Finspång today. If the
plan is confirmed, production at Finspång will continue through to the second
half 2013. Aurubis currently employs approximately 190 people in Finspång.

“We plan to keep production at full capacity until mid-2013. After that, we
would gradually reduce the production volumes in Finspang,” said Ari
Ingman, responsible for the Business Line Flat Rolled Products & Specialty
Wire at Aurubis. “We are fully committed to follow legal and customary
procedures in Sweden and to take proper care of the employees affected by
the planned decision. By starting consultation and providing information at
this early stage, we want to ensure that employees have adequate
transparency, that our customers will have a stable and reliable supply and
that all principles of social responsibility are applied.”

Company Profile Aurubis

Aurubis is the leading integrated copper group and the world’s largest copper recycler. We produce some 1 million tonnes of copper cathodes each year and from them a variety of copper products. Aurubis has about 6,300 employees, 16 production sites in eleven European countries and the USA and an extensive service and sales system for copper products in
Europe, Asia and North America.
Thanks to our wide range of services, we rank among the global leaders in our industry. Our core business is the production of marketable copper cathodes from copper concentrates, copper scrap and recycled raw materials. These are processed within the Group into continuous cast wire rod, shapes, rolled products and strips as well as special wire made of copper and copper alloys. Precious metals and a number of other products, such as sulphuric
acid and iron silicate, round off our product portfolio.
Customers of the Aurubis Group include companies in the copper semis industry, the electrical engineering, electronics and chemical industries as well as suppliers of the renewable energies, construction and automotive sectors.
The Aurubis Group is oriented to growth and to increasing corporate value. The main focus of our strategy is on strengthening our business, utilising growth opportunities and practising a responsible attitude when dealing with people and handling resources and the environment.

Aurubis shares are part of the Prime Standard Segment of the Deutsche Börse and are listed in the MDAX, the European Stoxx 600 and the Global Challenges Index (GCX).
Further information at www.aurubis.com

CONTACTS;
Aurubis AG
Group Communications

Michaela Hessling
Head of Group Communications
Tel. +49 40 7883-3053
m.hessling(at)aurubis.com

Matthias Trott  
Tel. +49 40 7883-3037
m.trott(at)aurubis.com

Sweden
Per Bjorklund
HR Manager  Aurubis Sweden AB
Tel +46 732 504 045
p.bjorklund(at)aurubis.com