German Neuss aluminium plant stays open near term

HAMBURG, July 6 (Reuters) - Hydro Aluminium, the German unit of Norwegian group Norsk Hydro (NHY.OL), is to keep its large German aluminium plant at Neuss open for the immediate future while a new German state aid plan for metal companies is assessed, a senior Norsk Hydro executive said on Monday.

Hydro said in April it would stop production at the loss-making aluminium plant at Neuss in June because of high German electricity costs and weak demand.

But the Neuss plant will remain in operation at its current reduced level while the details of a new German government plan to help the non-ferrous metals industry are assessed, Norsk Hydro executive board member Oliver Bell told Reuters. (Reporting by Michael Hogan; Editing by James Jukwey)