Hydro is the company today that best keeps alive the old Norse Viking ship as a symbol of the ability to travel far afield.

The company was of an international nature from day one. Hydro’s mineral fertilizer products were in demand from customers all over the world. A global network has since been developed for the sale and distribution not only of mineral fertilizer, but also for metal products and oil and gas.

Today Hydro has employees in production and marketing in around 70 countries in all parts of the world. The company is based in Norway, and the values and attitudes that accompany the Viking ship on its journey around the world reflect Scandinavian traditions.

Where we are today

The pictures show that while we must look back to find our roots, we are also present in new areas, taking steps to form the future.

The fact that Hydro’s fertilizer sacks are stolen and filled with goods from other producers indicates that the market associates our trade mark with quality. We note that additional values beyond the product itself are associated with the Viking ship.

A broad presentation of our principles and endeavours within health, safety, environment and corporate social responsibility can be found on our website hydro.com. Hydro is included on the main indexes for sustainable development. This reflects our attitudes and guidelines in relation to:

• Respect for human rights
• Standards for health and safety
• HR policy and employees’ rights
• Including working life
• Compensation practice
• Training opportunities
• Diversity
• Social investments

The established values that are brought to other countries by the Viking ship are in many ways very different from those associated with the Viking raids of distant times:

We do not accept any form of mobbing, or discrimination on the basis of gender, race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, cultural or social background or political opinion. Our employees shall have equal opportunity for career development. We do not allow child labor and do not engage children under the age of 16 in our operations. (Norsk Hydro’s annual report 2002)