Hydro is the third most admired metal company in the world, concludes the American financial magazine Fortune after carrying out an extensive survey.
Over 10,000 directors, executives and analysts took part in the survey, which was carried out by the Hay Group in the fourth quarter last year.
The list of "The World's Most Admired Companies 2004" is dominated by American companies; 36 of the 50 most admired companies are American.
Hydro was rated in seventh place in last year's list of most admired chemical companies. This year the company has been transferred to the category metal companies, where it has won third place after Alcan and Alcoa.