The decision to base an aluminium smelter in Delfzijl was based largely on the discovery of natural gas in 1959, an opportunity to develop employment for the local community plus the direct, open connection to the sea. Damco Aluminium Delfzijl Coöperatie U.A. (ALDEL) was originally founded by three large companies: Alusuisse, Billiton and Koninklijke Hoogovens. Over the course of the years, it has been through many changes both in ownership and people and from November 2017 it was bought out by Damco Aluminium Delfzijl Coöperatie U.A.
Aldel produces high quality aluminium alloys for the benefit of businesses and other aluminium processing companies in and outside Europe.
Get an impression of Aldel in this short film made for the television program De Barometer:
