Asset purchase	12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Asset Acquisition [Abstract]
Asset purchase	Asset purchase In June 2012, Century Vlissingen purchased substantially all of the assets of a carbon anode production facility located in Vlissingen, the Netherlands for approximately $12,500. In connection with the purchase, we entered into a ground lease with respect to the facility that is renewable at our option. Century Vlissingen did not assume, and is indemnified by the seller against, historical liabilities of the facility. Following the acquisition, we have undertaken a significant capital investment to modernize the facility, comply with environmental regulations and optimize anode production for our smelter in Grundartangi. Vlissingen restarted production in late 2013 with an initial annual carbon anode production capacity of 75,000 tonnes. In the third quarter of 2014, we began a project to restart the second baking furnace, which is expected to increase total annual production capacity to 150,000 tonnes. The project is currently expected to be completed by the end of 2015.

Asset purchase

In June 2012, Century Vlissingen purchased substantially all of the assets of a carbon anode production facility located in Vlissingen, the Netherlands for approximately $12,500. In connection with the purchase, we entered into a ground lease with respect to the facility that is renewable at our option. Century Vlissingen did not assume, and is indemnified by the seller against, historical liabilities of the facility.

Following the acquisition, we have undertaken a significant capital investment to modernize the facility, comply with environmental regulations and optimize anode production for our smelter in Grundartangi. Vlissingen restarted production in late 2013 with an initial annual carbon anode production capacity of 75,000 tonnes. In the third quarter of 2014, we began a project to restart the second baking furnace, which is expected to increase total annual production capacity to 150,000 tonnes. The project is currently expected to be completed by the end of 2015.