Aluminium producer Norsk Hydro shuts several plants after cyberattack
Giant smelters in countries including Norway, Qatar and Brazil being operated manually
Oslo — Norsk Hydro, one of the world’s largest producers of aluminium, was battling on Tuesday to contain a cyberattack that hit parts of its production, sending its share price lower and aluminium prices higher. The company shut several metal extrusion plants, which transform aluminium ingots into components for carmakers, builders and other industries, while its giant smelters in countries including Norway, Qatar and Brazil were being operated manually. The attack, which began on Monday evening and escalated overnight, affected the company’s IT systems for most of its activities. “Hydro is working to contain and neutralise the attack, but does not yet know the full extent of the situation,” said the company. The attack had not affected the safety of its staff and it was too early to assess the effect on customers. News of the attack pushed aluminium prices up 1.2% to a three-month high of $1,944 a ton in early trade on the London Metal Exchange, before giving up some gains to trad...
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