GUTHRIE, KY (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – A new, $365 million recycling center planned by Novelis Inc. in Guthrie, bringing 140 new jobs to the city.
Based in Atlanta, Novelis is a leading producer of rolled aluminum. According to a news release from the company, the new recycling facility is to be built adjacent to their existing automotive finishing plant in Guthrie, which celebrated its grand opening in October.
When fully operational, the expansion will add approximately 140 jobs in Guthrie. Novelis currently employs 150 people at the automotive plant with plans to grow that number to 190 over the next two years. That adds up to 330 Novelis jobs for the small city of Guthrie, whose 2020 population was only 1,400 people.
The new center will enable Novelis to grow its closed-loop-recycling programs, taking back the aluminum remaining after automotive parts are stamped from sheets and remaking it into the same product for new vehicle production. The facility promises to reduce carbon emissions by more than 1 million tons each year.
The center will also be able to process aluminum from vehicles at the end of their life cycle. Using recycled aluminum as input material requires only 5% of the energy used to make primary aluminum.
“Novelis aims to be the world’s leading provider of low-carbon, sustainable aluminum solutions that advance our business, industry and society toward the benefits of a circular economy,” said Steve Fisher, president and CEO, in the release. “Through this investment, we will continue to increase the amount of recycled content in our products, reducing our CO2 emissions and moving us closer to carbon neutrality.”
Novelis employs 1,600 people in Kentucky. In addition to its Guthrie automotive finishing facility, Novelis operates an aluminum beverage can recycling plant in Berea and the Logan Aluminum joint venture in Russellville, the release said.
“We are excited about this new investment in Kentucky, which will help Novelis achieve its sustainability goals, as well as support the carbon-reduction targets of our automotive customers,” said Tom Boney, executive vice president and president of Novelis North America. “The Commonwealth of Kentucky has been a great business partner for many years and has a strong, highly skilled workforce to meet the growing need for high-strength, low-carbon aluminum. We look forward to deepening our relationships with community leaders to ensure our facility has a lasting, beneficial impact in the region.”