Norsk Hydro ASA has today entered into an agreement to divest its
automotive structures business to Benteler Automobiltechnik GmbH, the
automotive division of the large German industrial enterprise
Benteler Group with headquarters in Paderborn, Germany. The agreement
represents a solid, long-term industrial solution for Hydro`s
automotive structures activities, and is in line with Hydro's
strategy to focus its extruded activities on profiles solutions and
building systems.

The transaction is expected to be cash neutral for Hydro, and an
estimated after tax loss of NOK 250 million will be recognized in
Hydro's fourth quarter 2009 results. Hydro expects the transaction to
close by the end of fourth quarter 2009 subject to clearance by
relevant competition authorities and other anti-trust bodies.

"We are pleased to have found a buyer with the ambition, competence
and size to further develop the automotive structures activities,"
says Executive Vice President Johnny Undeli, responsible for the
Extruded Products business area in Hydro.

Hydro's automotive structures business, part of the Extruded Products
business area, is a leading supplier of advanced crash management
systems, roll-over bar protection systems and other structural
components and assemblies, serving the majority of the global
carmakers. The business has a significant part of its production at
Raufoss in Norway, with other plants in China, Czech, Denmark,
France, Germany, Sweden and the United States. Revenues amounted to
NOK 2.2 billion in 2008 and the business had about 1,200 employees at
the end of third quarter 2009.

The Benteler Group is internationally active with its business
divisions Automotive, Steel/Tube and Distribution and was founded in
1876. Operating under the Benteler name, the business is not only one
of the largest independent automotive suppliers, but also one of the
most important steel tube manufacturers in Europe as well as one of
the leading stock holders and processors of steel tubes and stainless
steel tubes. Today, Benteler employs more than 24,000 persons at 150
locations in 35 countries.

"We've restructured and reduced the size of our automotive structures
activities over the past years. This has improved financial results,
despite the economic downturn," says Undeli. "After having run these
operations for a number of years without satisfactory earnings, we
feel convinced that the new owner will concentrate fully on serving
the automotive industry and that it will add the competence necessary
to increase profitability and market position."

Hydro, an integrated aluminium and energy company, will continue to
be a major supplier of aluminium, as well as semi-fabricated rolled
and extruded aluminium profiles, to the automotive industry after the
divestment.

Press contact
Contact     Erik Brynhildsbakken
Telephone   +47 22538301
Cellular    +47 41751271
E-mail      Erik.Brynhildsbakken@hydro.com

Investor contact
Contact     Stefan Solberg
Telephone   +47 22539280
Cellular    +47 91727528
E-mail      Stefan.Solberg@hydro.com

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Certain statements included within this announcement contain
forward-looking information, including, without limitation, those
relating to (a) forecasts, projections and estimates, (b) statements
of management's plans, objectives and strategies for Hydro, such as
planned expansions, investments or other projects, (c) targeted
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Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such
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cause our actual results to differ materially from those projected in
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particular projection is realized.  Factors that could cause these
differences include, but are not limited to: our continued ability to
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materials; global supply and demand for aluminium and aluminium
products; world economic growth, including rates of inflation and
industrial production; changes in the relative value of currencies
and the value of commodity contracts; trends in Hydro's key markets
and competition; and legislative, regulatory and political factors.

No assurance can be given that such expectations will prove to have
been correct.  Hydro disclaims any obligation to update or revise any
forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise.


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