HEAT TREAT NEWS

11 News Chatter To Keep You Current

/ HEAT TREAT NEWS

Heat Treat Today offers News Chatter, a feature highlighting representative moves, transactions, and kudos from around the industry. Enjoy these 11 news items, featuring new manufacturing hubs and facilities, a finished spacecraft, honoring of anniversaries, celebration of awards, and more!

Equipment

  1. Ipsen announces the launch of its seventh regional Service HUB, strategically located to support customers in East Texas, as well as parts of Oklahoma and Louisiana. Officially launched in April 2025, the new HUB provides regional customers with a single point of contact for routine maintenance, preventative service, and technical support.
  2. Lockheed Martin reported it has completed assembly and testing for the Orion Artemis II spacecraft, a manned mission that will flight-test NASA’s deep-space exploration system around the Moon. The spacecraft has been transferred to NASA’s Exploration Ground Systems team, the defense group added.
  3. Nitrex in Aurora, IL built their largest, gas nitriding furnace. The furnace processes parts up to 4.5 meters in diameter (15 feet) and weighing up to 40 tons, while adhering to AMS2759/10 & 12 quality standards.
Ipsen Opens New Service Hub
Lockheed Martin completed Orion Artemis II Source: American Machinist
Nitrex produces gas nitriding furnace

Company & Personnel

  1. Hubbard-Hall is strengthening its technical support in the Northeast with the addition of three experienced field professionals and a new laboratory technician. Ted Antonellis, who joins as manager of laboratory and plating operations, Stephanie Canales, who joins as a laboratory technician; Bukola Adeyemi and Travis Hilton who were both appointed as application specialists to support metal finishing customers in the Northeast.
  2. Solar Atmospheres is acquiring a 29,504-square-foot Berlin manufacturing building, furthering its expansion into the New England market.
  3. Ontario Power Generation has been cleared for construction and is set to begin building North America’s first commercial SMR at Darlington. This brings a vision to reality with Ontario’s first new nuclear build in over 30 years. 
  4. MetalTek International honored the work anniversaries of 23 dedicated workers, including Al Ebert celebrating 41 years, Barry Craig celebrating 38 years, Gene Weaver celebrating 37 years, and Jim Bostrom celebrating 15 years.
  5. Pratt & Whitney (owned by RTX Corporation), an American aerospace manufacturer, has developed and launched a new additive manufacturing solution for repairing critical components on the GTF engine. The state-of-the-art repair technology is based on Directed Energy Deposition (DED) and is expected to reduce repairing times by over 60%.
Hubbard Hall Expands with New Hires
Solar Atmospheres Acquires New Manufacturing Facility
Ontario Power Generation Set to Build First SMR in Darlington
MetalTek Honors Work Anniversaries
Pratt and Whitney Develop New Solution For Engine Repair

Kudos

  1. Phoenix Heat Treating announces the addition of a third Certified Laboratory Control at Source Representative (CLCSR) to its team, reinforcing its commitment to excellence in aerospace heat treatment and material control. The designation plays a critical role in ensuring rigorous material control and process integrity across the supply chain.
  2. Bodycote was named as one of Europe’s Climate Leaders (2025) by Financial Times and Statista. This is the second year in a row that Bodycote have been named for this list.
  3. Nitrex heat-treating facility in Querétaro, Mexico has successfully passed its latest Nadcap audit – and has been awarded an 18-month Merit Extension for outstanding performance in heat treating services.
Phoenix Heat Treating Adds Pratt & Whitney LCS
Bodycote was listed as one of Europe’s Climate Leaders
Nitrex Receives Nadcap Merit Extension

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IHEA Announces 2025-26 Board of Directors & Executive Officers

/ HEAT TREAT NEWS

The Industrial Heating Equipment Association (IHEA) has announced its 2025-26 Board of Directors and Executive Officers. Established in 1929 to meet the need for effective group action in promoting the interests of industrial furnace manufacturers, IHEA has expanded and currently includes designers and manufacturers of all types of industrial heat processing equipment used for the melting, refining and heat processing of ferrous and nonferrous metals, certain nonmetallic materials, and the heat-treatment of products made from them.

Gary Berwick, Dry Coolers
Gary Berwick, Dry Coolers

For 2025-26, taking over as president is Gary Berwick of Dry Coolers, Inc.; vice-president is Jason Safarz of Karl Dungs, Inc., and treasurer is Bob Fincken of Super Systems, Inc. Jeff Rafter of Selas Heat Technology Co. LLC will assume the past president position.

IHEA also welcomes a new face to the Board of Directors, Chad Spore of John Deere. Chad has been an active member of IHEA for the past several years, especially supporting IHEA’s sustainability and decarbonization efforts. Chad is the enterprise materials engineering supervisor for John Deere where he has been employed for more than 25 years. “Chad has been a wealth of knowledge supporting IHEA’s Industrial Heating Decarbonization SUMMIT,” notes IHEA Executive Vice-President Anne Goyer. “His insight into our program development is helping us produce an even better SUMMIT for 2025. We are grateful for his time and expertise.”

Rounding out the lineup of IHEA’s Board of Directors for 2025-2026, the following members continue their tenure:

Chad Spore
John Deere

Press release is available in its original form here.

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News From Abroad: A Collaboration for Reuse Strategy, All-in-One Machines, & Steel Manufacturing Expansion

/ HEAT TREAT NEWS

In today’s News from Abroad installment, we highlight new partnerships and technology aimed at efficiency and sustainability; a multi-organization collaborative work on a hybrid facility, an all-in-one machine that performs hot and cold forming for screws, tubes, and spokes, and a Turkish steel expansion doubling production. Read more below!

Heat Treat Today partners with two international publications to deliver the latest news, tech tips, and cutting-edge articles that will serve our audience – manufacturers with in-house heat treat. Furnaces International, a Quartz Business Media publication, primarily serves the English-speaking globe, and heat-processing, a Vulkan-Verlag GmbH publication, serves mostly the European and Asian heat treat markets.

A collaboration for an innovative reuse strategy

Source: Adobe Stock

“To support the growing activity at its Valenciennes site, Stellantis has chosen ECM Technologies to assist with the relocation and retrofitting of a heat treatment installation for vacuum carburizing. Scheduled to be fully operational in 2025, this hybrid facility, composed of reused, retrofitted and new components, reduces Stellantis’ carbon footprint while increasing its production and the performance of its industrial equipment. Stellantis has around 15 ECM Technologies “Flex” low-pressure carburizing units spread across its various sites. To support the production needs of its Valenciennes site, the company has decided to give a new lease of life to a line already in service within the group by entrusting ECM with the implementation of the project: relocation, reuse, updating of equipment, acquisition of new components (latest-generation gas quenching module), and conversion of furnaces from propane to acetylene, Bringing the performance of the entire hybrid system up to state-of-the-art standards. Another major factor is that this installation is part of the energy transition, as this transformation will enable the production of mechanical parts for electric vehicles, whereas previously the facility was dedicated to the production of manual gearboxes for combustion engine vehicles.”

READ MORE: Stellantis and ECM Technologies: An exemplary collaboration for an innovative reuse strategy at prozesswaerme.net

All-In-One Machine: Cold And Hot Forming

Due to the high forming forces required, the heads of larger screws are heated inductively
Source: VIP Communication

“Aachener Maschinenbau GmbH (AMBA) has so far been known for its all-in-one machines for the production of components such as screws, tubes and spokes by cold forming. What is new is that the company is integrating more and more technologies into its systems that enable operators to produce components such as special screws or pipes with variable cross-sections more efficiently. A current example is the integration of induction heating in the forming of large screws. With new systems, AMBA enables customers to produce more components with complex geometries according to the all-in-one principle and thus reduce costs. In doing so, the company goes beyond traditional cold forming and integrates innovative technologies, including for hot forming.”

READ MORE: AMBA offers new possibilities for efficient production: cold and hot forming of screws, tubes and spokes at prozesswaerme.net

Concast continuous casters to increase billet and bloom production capacities

İzmir Demir Çelik Sanayi A.Ş (IDC) has ordered a seven-strand continuous caster for its facility in Aliağa, İzmir, Türkiye. The SMS caster is designed to produce billets and small blooms in six distinct section sizes (Source: SMS group)

“İzmir Demir Çelik Sanayi A.Ş (IDC), a manufacturer of reinforcing steel and profiles, has expanded its steelworks with a Concast seven-strand continuous caster at its plant in Aliağa, İzmir, Türkiye. This new machine provides izmir Demir Çelik with the flexibility to efficiently meet diverse market demands, while also increasing production capacity and enhancing the quality of billets and blooms. The installation of the new continuous casting plant significantly expands izmir Demir Çelik’s annual steel production output from 1,550,000 tons to approximately 3,100,000 tons. This increase enables IDC to meet growing market demands more effectively while reducing its dependence on imported semi-finished products. The new caster’s ability to produce billets and small blooms in six distinct section sizes, ranging from 150×150 millimeters to 220×280 millimeters, gives IDC the flexibility to adapt quickly to changing market needs . . . Internal quality is enhanced through electromagnetic stirring (M-EMS) and modular wave stirring (MWS) technologies, which guarantee a homogeneous internal structure. Additionally, precise strand guidance, accurate cooling spray alignment, and a three-zone secondary cooling system further improve billet and bloom quality. This innovative setup enables IDC to produce high-quality steel products efficiently while reducing operational costs and meeting diverse market demands.”

READ MORE: izmir Demir Çelik Sanayi A.Ş. uses Concast continuous casters to increase billet and bloom production capacities at prozesswaerme.net

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11 News Chatter To Keep You Current

/ Featured, HEAT TREAT NEWS

Heat Treat Today offers News Chatter, a feature highlighting representative moves, transactions, and kudos from around the industry. Enjoy these 11 news items.

Equipment

  1. The U.S. Navy’s Naval Foundry and Propeller Center (NFPC) delivered the final major propulsor component for the first Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine (SSBN). This project resulted in multiple record-breaking pours for nonferrous castings in the U.S. The largest casting was over 260,000 pounds and is already at GDEB for installation. Collectively, NFPC poured nearly 1 million pounds of bronze.
  2. BENTELER plans to upgrade its CARTA® automation system to SMS group’s next-generation CARTA®neo SRM Technology System, which includes updated crop end control (CEC) and wall thickness control (WTC). This modernization will safeguard system availability and improve product quality and operational productivity. The technology will be utilized by BENTELER Steel/Tube GmbH & Co KG, a manufacturer of seamless and welded tubes.  
The U.S. Navy’s Naval Foundry and Propeller Center (NFPC) delivered the final major propulsor component for the first Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine (SSBN). Source: Navsea
BENTELER to upgrade its CARTA® automation system for use in BENTELER Steel/Tube GmbH & Co KG, a manufacturer of seamless and welded tubes.  

Company & Personnel

  1. Hubbard-Hall is pleased to announce that Richard “Rick” Spicer has joined the company as Director of Specialty Sales. With over 30 years of experience in sales leadership, business development, and customer relationship management, Spicer takes a process-driven approach to sales, helping customers improve efficiency and achieve their goals. 
  2. Tenova has been awarded a contract by Marcegaglia Gazoldo Inox to modernize and restart its 20-Hi Cold Rolling Mill at the Gazoldo degli Ippoliti plant in Mantua, Italy. The revamping will include the implementation of advanced Level 1 and Level 2 automation, a next generation Human-Machine Interface (HMI), and Machine Learning Applications for optimizing the rolling pass schedule. The upgraded mill will achieve higher rolling accuracy, improved process stability, and enhanced operational reliability.  
  3. SSAB has awarded SMS Group an Early Services Agreement for the delivery of the cold rolling complex at its steel production facility in Luleå, Sweden. This project marks a significant step towards sustainable steel production, underscoring SSAB’s commitment to green technologies and processes. The equipment will enable SSAB to meet the growing demand for third generation advanced high-strength steels (AHSS).
  4. Coolbrook and Tenova joined forces to drive CO2-free Iron, Steel and Other Metals Production. The two companies partnered to deploy RDH™ technology for electrifying high-temperature metal processes to cut CO2 emissions. 
  5. Cambridge Heat Treating in Cambridge, Ontario, Canada just celebrated their 40th anniversary of being in business. Cambridge Heat Treating was founded in 1982 by Bob Robbins, and is currently operated by Peter Robbins and Cheryl Mortimer. 
  6. CG Thermal celebrated 15 years as a company. This success is built on more than 200 years of combined experience from their team of industry veterans who previously held senior positions at The Carborundum Company, Pfaudler, and Metaullics Systems Co. 
  7. OTTO JUNKER Czech Republic celebrates 30 years in business. The company was founded in 1995 with the goal of serving the global market.
Rick Spicer has joined Hubbard-Hall as the Director of Specialty Sales
Tenova has been awarded a contract by Marcegaglia Gazoldo Inox to modernize and restart its 20-Hi Cold Rolling Mill
SSAB has awarded SMS group an Early Services Agreement for a cold rolling complex at its steel production facility
Coolbrook and Tenova partnered to cut CO2 emissions.
Cambridge Heat Treating in Cambridge, Ontario, Canada celebrated their 40th anniversary
CG Thermal celebrated 15 years as a company
OTTO JUNKER Czech Republic celebrates 30 years in business.

Kudos

  1. Gasbarre has been recognized as a Sustaining Member of ASM International on March 10th. Daniel Hill, P.E. of Gasbarre Thermal Processing Systems was in attendance to represent Gasbarre. ASM International is the world’s largest association of materials-centric engineers and scientists, committed to advancing industry knowledge and innovation.  
  2. Expanite achieved a 370x reduction in wear rate for Titanium Grade 5 (Ti6Al4V). This improvement was verified through the ASTM g133 standard test method.  
Gasbarre has been recognized as a Sustaining Member of ASM International
Expanite achieved a 370x reduction in wear rate for Titanium Grade 5 (Ti6Al4V).

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10 News Chatter To Keep You Current

/ HEAT TREAT NEWS

Heat Treat Today offers News Chatter, a feature highlighting representative moves, transactions, and kudos from around the industry. Enjoy these 10 news items.

Equipment

  1. Aichelin recently delivered a vacuum furnace to Bodycote‘s heat treatment and specialist thermal processing plant in Vantaa (Finland). The furnace with a usable space of 600 x 900 x 600 mm and a maximum batch weight of 1,000 kg was tailored to the company’s requirements. In this collaboration between the two companies, Bodycote has selected Aichelin to supply equipment that aligns with its vision for advanced and sustainable vacuum technology for industrial heat treatment.
  2. Two electrically heated two-zone curing conveyor ovens with cool-down sections have expanded the operations of an industrial manufacturer. The ovens, supplied by Wisconsin Oven Corporation, will be used for curing adhesive material between parts.
  3. Gruenberg announced the shipment of an industrial electrically heated cabinet oven to a company that manufactures products for the medical device industry. The furnace will be used for curing material used in the products. 
  4. Qinghai Xigang New Materials Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Xining Special Steel, has signed a contract with SMS group for a PSM380 mill upgrade and technical outsourcing services. The transaction comprises a comprehensive upgrade and related maintenance services for the PSM380 (Precision Sizing Mill) mill used to roll special steel bars and is aimed at enhancing the mill’s production efficiency and product quality. In additional news: Kardemir Karabük Demir Çelik Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Ş has acquired a five-strand combi-continuous caster from SMS Concast, a company of SMS group, to upgrade production capabilities at its its integrated steel plant at the Karabük site in Türkiye. El Marakby Steel, an Egyptian manufacturer of deformed bars and wire rod, is increasing production capacity by contracting SMS to upgrade the existing SMS minimill at its 6th of October site. Baosteel Desheng Stainless Steel Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of China Baowu Steel Group, announces the completion of a vacuum oxygen decarburization (VOD) plant by SMS group. The VOD system represents a crucial component of the steel producer’s strategic expansion, designed to enhance the facility’s capacity for producing specialty steels by employing secondary metallurgical processes. SMS group has also completed the automation system upgrade of hot strip mill no. 1 at PT Krakatau Steel (Persero), Tbk. (PTKS) in Cilegon, Indonesia.
Vacuum furnace delivered to Bodycote’s heat treatment and specialist thermal processing plant by Aichelin
Cooling groups operating as part of the laminar cooling system for Colako
Low-carbon extrusion ingot for the European construction and automotive industries produced at Husnes
Qinghai Xigang New Materials Co., Ltd., with PSM380 mill upgrade and technical outsourcing services
A five-strand combi-continuous caster at Kardemir Karabük Demir Çelik Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Ş acquired from SMS Concast
El Marakby Steel production capacity increased with upgrade at existing SMS minimill
Vacuum oxygen decarburization (VOD) plant at Baosteel Desheng Stainless Steel Co., Ltd., completed
Automation system of hot strip mill no. 1 upgraded at PT Krakatau Steel (Persero)

Company & Personnel

  1. Ipsen has announced the promotion of Evan Hundley to retrofits manager and the appointment of Lu Chouraki as field service manager. As retrofits manager, Hundley will lead the Retrofits Team to improve response times, streamline pricing and proposals, and provide tailored solutions that extend equipment lifespan and efficiency. As field service manager, Chouraki will oversee all regional service managers and field service engineers, focusing on streamlining processes, improving response times, and enhancing customer support. He will also drive the continued expansion of the company’s HUBs and develop his team into subject matter experts.
  2. Steve Sparkowich has been appointed as the new chief commercial officer (CCO) at Titan International Inc., a manufacturer and recycler of specialty metal products based in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, effective immediately. In his new role as CCO, Steve will oversee the company’s commercial strategy, drive business development, and strengthen relationships with key clients across industries such as aerospace, automotive, energy, semiconductor, and defense.
  3. Thomas Wingens, founder and president of WINGENS CONSULTANTS and an internationally recognized expert in the thermal processing and metallurgy industry, has been named an advisor to the Center for Heat Treating Excellence (CHTE) at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI). As industrial advisor to CHTE, Thomas will provide strategic guidance in business development and assist with CHTE’s project research portfolio.
  4. IperionX Limited has announced the appointment of Tony Tripeny as non-executive director and current IperionX non-executive director Lorraine Martin as lead independent director. Mr. Tripeny currently serves as a director at Mesa Laboratories and Origin Materials. Currently serving as president and CEO of the National Safety Council, Ms. Martin is also a director at Kennametal, a global materials science firm.
Evan Hundley
Retrofits Manager
Ipsen USA
Lu Chouraki
Field Service Manager
Ipsen USA
Steve Sparkowich
Chief Commercial Officer (CCO)
Titan International Inc
Thomas Wingens
President
Wingens Consultants
Industrial Advisor
Center for Heat Treating Excellence (CHTE)

Kudos

  1. Advanced Heat Treat Corp recognizes the AHT Michigan team members who have completed professional training and earned new certifications: Chad Clark for Practical Approach to Supply Chain Management, Tom Broman for Supervisor Skills 1.0 and 2.0, Jeff Machincinski for Introduction to Pyrometery, and Jesse Hyder for Practical Interpretation of Microstructures.
  2. The OTTO JUNKER Academy has offered a professional training program regarding planning, modernization, operation, repair and maintenance of industrial furnaces for over 10 years. Since 2014, the instruction covers induction melting and heat treatment of metal as well as universal subjects such as economic and energy efficiency.
Chad Clark
Advanced Heat Treat Corp
Tom Broman
Advanced Heat Treat Corp
Jeff Machincinski
Advanced Heat Treat Corp
Jesse Hyder
Advanced Heat Treat Corp
OTTO JUNKER Academy professional training program

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Heat Treat Economic Indicators: March 2025 Results

/ HEAT TREAT ECONOMIC NEWS, HEAT TREAT NEWS

The four heat treat industry-specific economic indicators have been gathered by Heat Treat Today each month since June 2023. As the northern hemisphere looks to warmer weather, a positive outlook is reflected in three of the four economic indicators compiled in the first week of March.

Heat treat industry suppliers anticipate the economy in March to experience growth in number of inquiries, value of bookings, and size of backlog, however there is a net decrease compared to February. This is particularly shown in the economic indicators where suppliers to the North American heat treat industry expect no change over previous months in health of the manufacturing economy.

The results from this month’s survey (March) are as follows; numbers above 50 indicate growth, numbers below 50 indicate contraction, and the number 50 indicates no change:

  • Anticipated change in Number of Inquiries from February to March: 61.1
  • Anticipated change in Value of Bookings from February to March: 58.8
  • Anticipated change in Size of Backlog from February to March: 59.5
  • Anticipated change in Health of the Manufacturing Economy from February to March: 50.0

Data for March 2025

The four index numbers are reported monthly by Heat Treat Today and made available on the website. 

Heat Treat Today’s Economic Indicators measure and report on four heat treat industry indices. Each month, approximately 800 individuals who classify themselves as suppliers to the North American heat treat industry receive the survey. Above are the results. Data started being collected in June 2023. If you would like to participate in the monthly survey, please click here to subscribe.

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This Week in Heat Treat Social Media

/ HEAT TREAT NEWS

Welcome to Heat Treat Today’s This Week in Heat Treat Social Media. We’re looking at addendum learning, indepth instruction from industry leaders, and how-tos that will tickle your ears. But first in the posts, podcasts, and videos we have rounded up for you, check out what NASA is doing with shape-shifting tires.

As you know, there is so much content available on the web that it’s next to impossible to sift through all of the articles and posts that flood our inboxes and notifications on a daily basis. So, Heat Treat Today is here to bring you the latest in compelling, inspiring, and entertaining heat treat news from the different social media venues that you’ve just got to see and read! If you have content that everyone has to see, please send the link to editor@heattreattoday.com.

1. Entering the Realm of Shape-Shifting

This space is usually reserved for something rich and technical, so we’re looking at the science of shape-shifting!

Check out this recent post on ThomasNet about NASA’s foray into the world of physical transformations.

2. It’s a Beautiful Day in the Heat Treat Neighborhood

Don’t Skip the Side Trips!

Trades Schools Now Trending

Helping Kids Take Flight

3. A broad Education in Heat Treating Coming Your Way

Sometimes, it’s the small things on social media that grab your attention or give you the “ah ha!” moment. And sometimes things affecting the industry in other places cause us to go “hmm.” Do any of these short posts make you say “eureka”?

How many Terms Do You Already Know?

All About Quenching

Monitoring Leaks and Dew Point Gases

Having a Blast with Furnaces

4. Open Your Eyes & Ears: The Podcast Corner

You can’t read everything, we get it. Heat Treat Today is here to recommend two informative podcasts and one video to enjoy on your daily commute or during your evening roundup.

Tune in to Listen to Heat Treat Radio #118: Saving Dollars with Ceramic Fiber Insulation

Heat Treating Machined Parts To enhance strength, hardness, durability, and flexibility

Carlos Torres Interviews Steve Kowalski on the Heat Treat Podcast

5. Inspections Are Good … Overinspections Can Be Too Good

Have a great weekend!

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News From Abroad: Initiatives, Processing for a Better World

/ AUTOMOTIVE HEAT TREAT NEWS, HEAT TREAT NEWS, MANUFACTURING HEAT TREAT NEWS, QUENCHING NEWS

In today’s News from Abroad installment, we highlight processing and initiatives that aim to improve operations and improve sustainability. Read more about a method used in the production of parts with complex geometries; a venture to create the world’s first fossil-free, ore-based steel with renewable electricity and green hydrogen; and a production plant that will generate around 9,000 tons of green hydrogen a year to be used for the production of carbon-reduced steel.

Heat Treat Today partners with two international publications to deliver the latest news, tech tips, and cutting-edge articles that will serve our audience – manufacturers with in-house heat treat. Furnaces International, a Quartz Business Media publication, primarily serves the English-speaking globe, and heat-processing, a Vulkan-Verlag GmbH publication, serves mostly the European and Asian heat treat markets.

Press Hardening Prevents Part Deformation

Press hardening neccessary due to part deformation during the rapid cooling phase induced by quenching
Source: Thermi-Lyon

“Press hardening serves a very specific purpose: to prevent part deformation during the rapid cooling phase induced by quenching. This process improves the performance of steels by giving them a martensitic structure without the need for reworking. Designed for high volume production of parts with complex geometries, press hardening is both highly effective and economical….

This process was initially developed for automotive manufacturers, to process large series of parts with complex geometries. In fact, this method is perfectly suited to the processing of large numbers of parts on a production line: since the cooling cycle is automatically programmed, it can be repeated ad infinitum. What’s more, the circulation of quenching fluid around the part held in the press results in uniform, controlled cooling that can easily be reproduced many times over.”

READ MORE: “Focus on Press Hardening and Its Advantages“ at heat-processing.com. 

HYBRIT Platforms Shift to Fossil-Free Steel

An electricity-based process gas heater for the hydrogen-based direct reduction process developed by HYBRIT (Hydrogen Breakthrough Ironmaking Technology)
Source: Kanthal

“Launched in 2016 as a joint venture owned by SSAB, LKAB, and Vattenfall, with support from the Swedish Energy Agency, HYBRIT aims to create the world’s first fossil-free, ore-based steel with renewable electricity and green hydrogen.

This involves shifting from coal-powered blast furnaces that use coal as a reduction medium to a direct reduction process using hydrogen produced via renewable energy. The first HYBRIT pilot plant in Luleå, Sweden, began operations in 2020, with commercial-scale production targeted by 2027.

Kanthal is proud to have contributed to HYBRIT’s groundbreaking journey by developing an electricity-based process gas heater for the hydrogen-based direct reduction process under the name Prothal®. This project showcased the feasibility of fossil-free industrial heating solutions and laid the groundwork for scaling up these technologies to meet the steel industry’s future needs.”

READ MORE: “Innovations by Kanthal Drive the HYBRIT Revolution for Fossil-Free Steel” at heat-processing.com

Largest Green Hydrogen Production Facility Underway

From left: Andrea Prevedello, Global Director Project Management of Green Hydrogen, at ANDRITZ; Walther Hartl, Project Manager of Electrolysis, at ANDRITZ; Sami Pelkonen, Executive Vice President of Green Hydrogen, at ANDRITZ; Gerd Baresch, Managing Director of the Technical Division, SZFG; Thorsten Hinrichs, Head of Pipeline Infrastructure, SZFG
Source: Andritz Group

“On February 12, 2025, the cornerstone was laid for one of the largest production plants for green hydrogen in the whole of Europe.

[Beginning in] 2026, the plant will generate around 9,000 tons of green hydrogen a year to be used for the production of carbon-reduced steel. This will mark the start of the industrial use of hydrogen in SALCOS®-Salzgitter low CO2 steelmaking. SALCOS® is aiming for virtually carbon-free steel production. The 100 MW electrolysis plant will be supplied on an EPC basis by the international technology company ANDRITZ, using the pressurized alkaline electrolysis technology of HydrogenPro.”

READ MORE: “SALCOS®: Cornerstone Laid for the Production of Green Hydrogen” at heat-processing.com

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Heat Treat Today Welcomes Industry Innovator Heather Falcone

/ HEAT TREAT NEWS

Heat Treat Today is excited to announce the addition of Heather Falcone to the editorial and podcast team, beginning on Monday, March 3, 2025. She will be taking on the responsibilities of content editor for the daily e-newsletter, original content writer, and Heat Treat Radio contributor.

Heather Falcone
Content Editor/Content Writer/Heat Treat Radio Contributor
Heat Treat Today

Heather, the founder and principal of Falcone Consulting, LLC, is a servant leader with over 20 years of experience in heat treating, brazing, and chemical processing. She spent most of her formative years as a second-generation member of a family-owned heat treating and brazing business. As the former CEO of Thermal-Vac Technology, she successfully led the company through the pandemic, ensuring stability while propelling it into a new era that resulted in a successful exit in 2024. Passionate about challenging the status quo, she champions diverse teams and fair chance hiring, with a focus on developing successful teams that are future-proof and thriving. 

Beyond her position as founder and principal at newly formed Falcone Consulting LLC, Heather is a board member, coach, speaker, and writer, advocating for small businesses, workforce development, and success for the heat treat community at large. She provides her expertise in aerospace specifications and the Nadcap process in an ongoing role as the special project consultant for Cook Induction Heating in Maywood, California. Additionally, she has played a pivotal role in industry organizations like the Metal Treating Institute, AMEC, and Nadcap, while also supporting local nonprofits such as Chrysalis and the Orange County Workforce Development Board. 

“We’re thankful to have Heather joining the Heat Treat Today team,” said Doug Glenn, founder, owner, and publisher of Heat Treat Today. “I’ve known Heather for many years and have been impressed with her initiative, courage, and fearlessness in everything she does. As an organization that is deeply invested in making sure in-house heat treaters have the information they need to become more efficient and profitable, Heather will be an excellent addition to our editorial team. She knows the industry; she knows what our readers need. And as we all know, the happier the readers, the happier our advertisers.”

Heather is an Ironman triathlete, a Seven Summits enthusiast who has summitted Mt. Kilimanjaro and trekked in the Everest region, and a loving wife and mother to two teenage boys.

For more information, click here for Heather’s LinkedIn page, here for Falcone Consulting’s website, or here for her Heat Treat Today 40 Under 40 recognition in 2019.

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US DOE Industrial Decarbonization Initiative Update: January 2025, the Trump Effect

/ HEAT TREAT NEWS, MANUFACTURING HEAT TREAT NEWS, OP-ED

The heat treating industry is under pressure to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions (GHGE), and the response has been a noble effort to attain sustainability. In 2024, Heat Treat Today published a series of articles by guest columnist Michael Mouilleseaux, general manager at Erie Steel, Ltd., regarding the U.S. Department of Energy’s initiative related to the decarbonization of industry and its potential impact on the heat treating industry.

This update was first published in Heat Treat Today’s February 2025 Air & Atmosphere Heat Treating Aerospace print edition in response to recent changes in the U.S. administration. To catch up on previous columns by Mike, check these out: “US DOE Strategy Affects Heat Treaters“ appeared in the March 2024 Aerospace print edition; “U.S. DOE Strategy: Ramifications for Heat Treaters” appeared in the May 2024 Sustainability print edition; and “US DOE Strategy: Why the Heat Treating Industry?” appeared in the June 2024 Buyer’s Guide print edition.

As described in previous articles, President Joe Biden issued an executive order in 2021 that committed the federal government through the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to reduce GHGE attributable to “process heating” by 85% by 2035 and attain net zero CO2 emissions by 2050.

These goals were to be achieved by implementing four largely unproven technologies:

  • Energy efficiency
  • Industrial electrification (using green electricity)
  • Adoption of low-carbon fuels (e.g., hydrogen), feedstocks, and energy sources (LCFFES)
  • Carbon capture, utilization and storage at the generated source (CCUS)
On www.heattreattoday.com/factsheetDOE, you can utilize the one-page resource to let governmental officials know what our industry is, who we are, who we employ, and the effect this effort has in regulating us out of business.

We further described the negative effect the implementation of these efforts would have on the heat treating industry — specifically, an increase in energy costs from 4x to 15x, with a companion reduction in energy reliability. This is not the combination that portends success in business.

In November of 2024, the people of the United States made a statement. They decided the direction of the country for the past four years was not what they wanted and chose another path, a path they chose based on what they had experienced from 2017 through 2020. As it pertains to industrial policy, they knew that reduced regulation and policies favorable to business growth were the guiding principles.

What may we reasonably expect from a Trump administration relative to this Industrial Decarbonization Effort?

At a minimum, we should expect a sober understanding of the issues and agreement that any low-carbon replacement energy technologies will come with the assurance they are cost competitive with current sources, and that they will be reliable and secure.

Is this to say that all efforts toward the achievement of a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions (GHGE) should be abandoned? Absolutely not, however, they should not be implemented with a religious zeal that places implementation above practicality. We need to recognize that if our way of life is to be maintained, these changes will be evolutionary — not revolutionary.

Should we anticipate this effort to revise the “timing” of GHGE reductions will be easy to achieve? It will not; the Biden administration has made every effort to obligate a maximum amount of the funding from the IRA earmarked for “clean energy,” understanding any funds not so obligated can be rescinded. Additionally, a concerted effort to place these funds in Republican states was made to make any recission as politically painful as possible for the incoming administration.

The incoming administration has made it clear they will scrutinize all existing funding sources that support those clean energy initiatives that distort and undermine energy independence and reliability. They have stated they intend on immediately pausing all regulatory activities until they have the opportunity to review them. They intend on rescinding all executive orders that further the clean energy agenda.

Do we have a part in this? Yes, our industry, although crucial to the manufacturing community and national security, has very little visibility. Now is the time to act and to let our representatives and senators know how important it is to pause, if not reconfigure, this Industrial Decarbonization Initiative to assure our businesses remain vibrant and vigorous.

Attend the 2025 SUMMIT to find out more about the DOE’s actions for the heat treat industry.

About the Author:

Michael Mouilleseaux
General Manager
Erie Steel, Ltd

Michael Mouilleseaux is general manager at Erie Steel, Ltd. He has been at Erie Steel in Toledo, OH since 2006 with previous metallurgical experience at New Process Gear in Syracuse, NY, and as the director of Technology in Marketing at FPM Heat Treating LLC in Elk Grove, IL. Michael attended the stakeholder meetings at the May 2023 symposium hosted by the U.S. DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency & Renewable Energy.

For more information: Contact Michael at mmouilleseaux@erie.com.  

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