The Impact of Floods on Valais Industries: Novelis and Constellium Halting Production

The floods in Valais are wreaking havoc not only on tourism and transportation but also on industrial sectors. Two major players in the aluminum industry, Novelis and Constellium, have been forced to halt production in Sierre and Chippis respectively. While Lonza, a pharmaceutical supplier with around 5,000 employees in Visp, was able to continue production without interruption.

Novelis’ rolling mill in Sierre was severely damaged following the overflow of the Rhone river. Water entered the factory premises and production halls, prompting the evacuation of all employees. Production at the large plant has been suspended until further notice, and the extent of the damage is still unknown. Novelis, which employs over 500 people in Sierre and is one of the top industrial employers in Valais, is owned by Indian conglomerate Aditya Birla.

Constellium, with 700 employees in Valais, has also halted production due to flooding in Chippis. Fortunately, no employees were injured in either company’s facilities. Lonza was able to continue production unaffected thanks to a monitoring system that tracks water levels on the Rhone river and safety measures implemented during the third Rhone correction project. While Lonza remained operational, other businesses and residents in the Rhone valley are still dealing with the aftermath of the flooding.

The floods have caused significant disruptions not only for these companies but also for other businesses operating in the region. Many industries are struggling to keep up with demand as supply chains are being affected by transportation issues caused by flooding.

Overall, while some industries may be suffering from these disruptions more than others, it’s clear that everyone is feeling some impact from these devastating floods. As recovery efforts continue across Valais, it will be interesting to see how these companies bounce back from this setback and adapt to future challenges that may arise due to climate change-related events like flooding.