Century's Hawesville plant to stay open, but at reduced capacity

Century Aluminum will NOT completely shut down its plant in Hawesville, Kentucky.

Century announced last month that it would temporarily close the smelter on October 24^th. But now, company officials say they will instead reduce operations to 40 percent of capacity.

A news release from Century says the remaining operations will focus primarily on high-purity aluminum and molten metal for local customers.

Century also issued a new conditional federal Working Adjustment and Retraining Notification -- or WARN -- to employees who will stay on the job.

The new notice informs those workers that the remaining two potlines could be curtailed if certain high purity production levels are not achieved or if there’s a  -- quote -- “material adverse change in commercial circumstances.”

Company officials also say the previous WARN notice issued on August 25 remains in effect for the remaining employees. About 225 workers are expected to be laid-off.

Century says it can’t compete with what it calls “unfairly-subsidized Chinese aluminum products.”

Century's aluminum smelter in Sebree remains at full production.