Aluminium Dunkerque will relaunch up to full capacity after cutting production in 2022 amid soaring energy costs.

Europe’s biggest aluminium smelter cut its production by a fifth in 2022 in response to the energy price rises across the globe.

This was achieved stopping 54 of the smelter’s electrolysis tanks and by reducing the intensity of others.

Reuters now report it will be back at full capacity by May.

Founded in 1991, Aluminium Dunkerque is the largest primary aluminium smelter in Europe, specialising in the manufacture of aluminium slabs and ingots, used in the transport, automotive, aerospace, packaging, building and construction industries.

The aluminium smelter consumes as much energy as Marseille, France’s second largest city.

The price of aluminium has surged over the last year due to a global shortage and also amid the backdrop of Russia’s continued war in Ukraine.

The smelter has an annual capacity of around 290,000 tonnes, while employs 600 people.