Aluminium Innovation Valley was formally established on 16 April 2026, when ten companies in and around the aluminium industry in Sunndal signed a binding cooperation agreement. The kickoff marked the start of the network’s main project.
Innovation Norway supports the main project with NOK 800,000. Sunndal Næringsselskap (SUNS) has been involved in coordinating and developing the initiative and provides project management.
How the network came about
The initiative came from the companies themselves. Initial meetings in 2023 led to a feasibility study, supported by Innovation Norway with NOK 100,000. In 2024 ten companies took part in the study, and workshops, knowledge gathering and industry visits identified opportunities for closer collaboration.
In 2025 a steering group was established and an application was submitted to Innovation Norway for a main project to develop the network further.
What happens next
AIV now moves from establishing the network to developing concrete collaboration, innovation and R&D projects, strengthening competence and creating new business opportunities across the aluminium value chain.
The long-term ambition is to develop Sunndal into a leading technology cluster within aluminium, with sustainable, low-carbon products and solutions that are competitive and relevant internationally.
