MANUFACTURING HEAT TREAT NEWS

Commercial Heat Treater Launches Vacuum Hardening Operation

/ HARDENING NEWS, MANUFACTURING HEAT TREAT NEWS, VACUUM FURNACES NEWS

Kalírna Desire is opening a new commercial heat treat facility in a region that has so far lacked local infrastructure for vacuum hardening. The investment establishes the company’s first vacuum heat treatment operation, supporting both in-house production and a new line of commercial services for nearby manufacturers. It reflects continued demand for regional commercial heat treating capacity as companies seek shorter lead times, greater process control, and more localized supply chains.

Image Credit: SECO/WARWICK

Kalírna Desire, a Czech machining company, is establishing the operation using a Vector single-chamber vacuum furnace from SECO/WARWICK, a global industrial furnace manufacturer with operations in North America. The decision followed years of relying on a commercial heat treater located farther from its plant, resulting in longer lead times and additional transportation costs.

The furnace is configured with 15-bar absolute high-pressure gas quenching and is designed to process a range of tool and structural steel grades. Additional features include convection heating to improve low-temperature heating efficiency, directional cooling to help minimize distortion of complex parts, an isothermal quenching function for greater control of cooling profiles, and a low-pressure carburizing (LPC) option that enables surface hardening within a single integrated vacuum cycle.

Maciej Korecki
Vice President of the Vacuum Segment
SECO/WARWICK

“Our collaboration with Kalírna Desire is an excellent example of how vacuum technology can become a growth engine for ambitious small and mid-sized companies,” said Maciej Korecki, vice president of the Vacuum Segment at SECO/WARWICK. He added that the standard Vector furnace, configured to the client’s requirements, offers broad process capabilities while providing an accessible entry point into vacuum heat treatment.

According to a representative of Kalírna Desire, the new unit will provide greater control over a key stage of the company’s CNC machine manufacturing process while improving production planning flexibility and shortening lead times. The representative also noted that the region lacks modern vacuum hardening services, creating an opportunity to provide commercial heat treating for nearby metal processing companies and component manufacturers.

The investment highlights the importance of bringing heat treating in-house: having an in-house heat treat department gives a company a range of advantages that go far beyond cost savings on outsourced services. It provides greater process control and more flexibility to respond to client demand.

Press release is available in its original form here.

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Vacuum Heat Treat Capacity Grows in Northeast

/ MANUFACTURING HEAT TREAT NEWS, VACUUM FURNACES NEWS

Solar Atmospheres, a commercial heat treater, is preparing to expand vacuum heat treating capacity in the Northeastern United States as construction progresses on its newest facility in Berlin, Connecticut. The 28,000-square-foot operation remains on schedule to begin serving clients in the fourth quarter of 2026.

Image Credit: Solar Atmospheres

Construction and refurbishment continue at the future home of Solar Atmospheres Connecticut, where several vacuum furnaces have already been installed. Office areas are nearing completion, while work continues on the facility’s piping, electrical systems, and supporting infrastructure.

Located in the Spruce Brook Industrial Park, the new facility is expected to expand the company’s vacuum heat treating capabilities throughout the Northeast when it opens later this year.

Press release is available in its original form here.
Related Reading: Solar Atmospheres acquired the 28,000-square-foot Connecticut facility in late 2025, laying the groundwork for the company’s Northeast expansion. Click here to read more.

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Stainless Steel Producer Upgrades Ladle Furnace Capacity

/ ATMOSPHERE AIR FURNACES NEWS, MANUFACTURING HEAT TREAT NEWS

Outokumpu Stainless USA will upgrade its secondary metallurgy operations with a new 180-ton twin ladle furnace at its Calvert, Alabama, facility. The project will add electrical heating capacity following argon oxygen decarburization processing, improving operational flexibility and supporting stainless steel production.

Outokumpu has contracted Primetals Technologies to supply the furnace, which will replace a ladle treatment stand installed in 2012. Startup is scheduled for March 2028.

At the Calvert facility, Outokumpu melts up to 100% stainless steel scrap in an electric arc furnace before processing the material in an oxygen decarburization (AOD) converter. Upgrading one of the plant’s two ladle treatment stands will add electrical heating capacity after the converter and provide greater flexibility in the AOD process.

The project will use the plant’s existing layout and foundation. Primetals Technologies’ scope includes a water-cooled ladle cover integrated with a swing gantry system, an electrode conducting arm with a high-current system, automated argon lancing equipment, a hydraulic system, a power solution, Level 1 automation, and the supplier’s Melt Expert electrode control system.

The Melt Expert system provides dynamic control of the melting process to improve process stability, furnace productivity, and energy consumption. The upgrade is also expected to reduce the plant’s carbon footprint.

Press release is available in its original form here.

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Steelmaker to Double Rebar Production Capacity

/ FOUNDRY CASTING NEWS, MANUFACTURING HEAT TREAT NEWS

Hybar LLC has secured financing to support construction of a second electric rebar mini mill, a project that will expand domestic steelmaking capacity through electric arc furnace technology. The additional mill will increase reinforcing steel production for the U.S. construction sector.

The company announced it has secured approximately $1.1 billion in financing to support the expansion, which will be built adjacent to the company’s existing facility in Osceola, Arkansas. Upon completion, the second mill is expected to double the company’s annual reinforcing steel production capacity to approximately 1.3 million tons.

SMS group supplied the company’s electric arc furnace, continuous caster, and rolling mill for the existing facility. Now, SMS group has been commissioned to supply the technology and equipment for the expansion mill. Construction is expected to be completed in about 24 months.

Hybar’s rebar is being used in data center projects, medical campus expansions, the energy infrastructure buildout, and the continued repair and upgrading of roads, bridges, and tunnels. Hybar plans to continue penetrating these markets with the expansion mill.

Press release is available in its original form here.

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Vacuum Degassing Plant to Boost Steel Quality

/ MANUFACTURING HEAT TREAT NEWS, VACUUM FURNACES NEWS

A new vacuum degassing plant is expected to increase meltshop performance and capacity while enabling the production of a larger volume of high-quality steel grades. The investment in secondary metallurgy will support steelmaking operations by removing a production bottleneck and improving productivity at a Mexican steel producer’s facility.

TYASA has selected Primetals Technologies for a new vacuum degassing (VD) plant at its Ixtaczoquitlán site. | Image Credit: Primetals Technologies

Mexican steel producer Talleres y Aceros S.A. de C.V. (TYASA) has awarded Primetals Technologies a contract to supply a twin vacuum degassing (VD) plant for its steelmaking facility in Ixtaczoquitlán, Mexico. The plant is scheduled to begin operation in October 2027.

Primetals’ scope of supply includes the VD plant’s mechanical equipment, vacuum pumps, valve stands, alloy addition systems, and Level 1 and Level 2 automation systems. The company will also provide electrical equipment and advisory services for installation and commissioning.

The new VD plant will integrate with TYASA’s existing twin ladle furnaces using the same rail track and ladle cars. The ladle cars will be modified with VD tanks, allowing ladle furnace treatment while the ladle remains in the vacuum degassing tank. This arrangement minimizes crane movements between the ladle furnace and VD station while supporting efficient material handling.

The VD plant will support TYASA’s Castrip® plant by enabling an LF-VD-LF process that maximizes productivity of the facility’s Quantum electric arc furnace. The project layout takes advantage of existing utility systems and infrastructure that were designed to accommodate a future VD installation, allowing the plant to be installed with only minor impact on ongoing production.

Press release is available in its original form here.

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Vacuum Heat Treat Capacity Grows for Metal AM

/ MANUFACTURING HEAT TREAT NEWS, SINTERING POWDER METAL NEWS, VACUUM FURNACES NEWS

AGF DEFCOM, a metal additive manufacturing company, has expanded its vacuum heat treating capacity with the addition of a second furnace, increasing throughput for thermal processing operations while reducing scheduling constraints. The investment is expected to support growing production requirements and improve turnaround times for clients requiring vacuum heat treatment of additively manufactured components.

AGF DEFCOM recently installed a second Mentor Pro vacuum furnace from Solar Manufacturing. The additional furnace expands its in-house heat treating capabilities, enabling more jobs to be processed simultaneously while improving workflow efficiency and reducing bottlenecks.

The second furnace complements AGF DEFCOM’s existing vacuum heat treating operation and increases overall processing capacity. It is designed for precision thermal processing under high-vacuum conditions and is used for applications requiring controlled heat treatment.

The addition reflects AGF DEFCOM’s continued investment in expanding its manufacturing and thermal processing capabilities for clients in the metal additive manufacturing sector.

Press release is available in its original form here.
Edit: The original press release mentions the vacuum furnace is from Solar Atmospheres. It has been updated in this press release to Solar Manufacturing, as confirmed by Solar Atmospheres.

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New Vacuum Furnace Serves Turbine Production

/ MANUFACTURING HEAT TREAT NEWS, QUENCHING NEWS, VACUUM FURNACES NEWS

A commercial heat treater is expanding its vacuum heat treating capabilities for gas turbine components with the addition of a high-performance vacuum furnace designed to support annealing, aging, brazing, and high-pressure gas quenching. The investment will increase the company’s ability to process precision metal components for the energy, medical, automotive, and industrial machinery sectors.

Image Credit: SECO/WARWICK

The furnace will be supplied by SECO/WARWICK, a global manufacturer of thermal processing equipment with operations in North America. The system is being installed at a Japanese company specializing in the heat treatment of metals and the manufacture of precision components.

Designed for demanding applications, the single-chamber Vector vacuum furnace features a working zone measuring 40 x 40 x 60 inches, allowing for the heat treatment of large and oversized components. It provides temperature uniformity within ±5°C (±9°F) and is equipped with additional heating elements in the door and rear wall to improve heat distribution throughout the chamber.

The furnace also includes a high-vacuum pumping system with partial-pressure capability and a 6-bar gas quench system, enabling processing of components that require fast, controlled cooling while maintaining structural quality. “This order will support the production of components for gas turbines, which play a key role in improving energy efficiency and reducing CO2 emissions,” said Maciej Korecki, vice president of Vacuum Segment at SECO/WARWICK.

With this new furnace, the client will gain the ability to carry out more demanding heat treatment processes, take the load off existing equipment in their internal hardening shop, and serve a growing production volume.

Press release is available in its original form here.

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Electric Arc Furnace Upgrade Advances Steel Production

/ MANUFACTURING HEAT TREAT NEWS

A Pennsylvania steel mill will undergo an electric arc furnace (EAF) modernization project designed to improve productivity, operational reliability, and process stability. The upgrade supports continued investment in North American steelmaking by enhancing a critical thermal processing operation used to melt scrap and other metallic feedstock for steel production.

The modernization project will take place at Tenaris’ steel mill in Koppel, Pennsylvania, where the company is investing more than $90 million across its Koppel steel shop and seamless pipe facility in Ambridge, Pennsylvania. The EAF revamp represents a key component of that broader investment program to improve productivity, reliability, and employee safety across its Pennsylvania operations.

The project will be supplied by Tenova through its U.S. subsidiary, Tenova Inc., which will provide engineering, equipment, and commissioning services for the furnace upgrade. The project will incorporate technologies intended to improve operational efficiency while helping safeguard critical equipment.

Francesco Memoli
CEO
Tenova Inc.

“We are proud to continue our collaboration with Tenaris and to contribute to the modernization of the Koppel facility,” said Francesco Memoli, CEO of Tenova Inc. “Projects like this reflect our shared commitment to innovation and to supporting the long-term competitiveness of steel production. Executing the project entirely in the United States — from engineering to manufacturing — will also ensure close coordination with the [client] and efficient project delivery.”

A key element of the revamp is the implementation of an advanced water flow measurement system for the furnace upper shell. The system is designed to provide more accurate monitoring and control of cooling water circuits, contributing to improved operational stability and optimized process conditions.

Upon completion, the upgraded electric arc furnace is expected to increase operational efficiency and support continued steel production at the Koppel facility as Tenaris continues to invest in meeting evolving client demand.

Press release is available in its original form here.

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Fringe Friday: New Program Supports Specialty Alloy Development Initiatives

/ MANUFACTURING HEAT TREAT NEWS, SINTERING POWDER METAL NEWS

We’re celebrating getting to the “fringe” of the weekend with a Heat Treat Fringe Friday installment: a new specialty alloy development program highlights how manufacturers are accelerating the qualification and scale-up of emerging materials for advanced applications. The initiative combines melting and plasma gas atomization capabilities to help manufacturers develop small-batch alloys for aerospace, defense, medical, energy, and other advanced manufacturing sectors.

While not exactly heat treat, “Fringe Friday” deals with interesting developments in one of our key markets: aerospace, automotive, medical, energy, or general manufacturing.

A new alloy development program aimed at accelerating specialty and small-batch alloy production has been launched, supporting powder metallurgy and advanced manufacturing applications across aerospace, defense, medical, energy, and other industries. The initiative is designed to streamline the transition from alloy design and testing to powder production, helping manufacturers advance qualification and development efforts for emerging materials.

Image Credit: Continuum Powders

Continuum Powders has launched Custom Foundry Runtime (CFR), a program that provides clients with access to specialty and small-batch alloy production using the company’s proprietary melt and atomization platform. The offering is intended to support rapid alloy development, validation, and scale-up for applications requiring custom material compositions.

Jon Cozens
CEO
Continuum Powders

“Custom Foundry Runtime represents an important evolution for Continuum Powders,” said Jon Cozens, CEO of Continuum Powders. “We’re seeing growing demand for flexible alloy development and securing processing capabilities, particularly for [clients] working with highly specialized or precious materials. CFR gives companies access to advanced atomization infrastructure without forcing them into traditional large-scale production models that don’t fit their needs.”

CFR enables production runs ranging from a few kilograms to larger pilot-scale quantities, allowing clients to evaluate material performance before committing to full-scale manufacturing. The program is designed to support a range of materials, including titanium, nickel-based alloys, precious metals, and other specialty compositions.

The platform combines melting and plasma gas atomization capabilities to produce metal powders for qualification programs, research and development efforts, and advanced manufacturing applications. Continuum states that the program is intended to reduce development timelines while providing a pathway from laboratory-scale alloy creation to production-ready powder supply.

Press release is available in its original form here.

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Intalus Enhances Metal AM Capacity with New Machine Order

/ MANUFACTURING HEAT TREAT NEWS, SINTERING POWDER METAL NEWS

Intalus, a U.S.-based manufacturer, is expanding its metal additive manufacturing capabilities through the acquisition of two electron beam powder bed fusion (EB-PBF) systems, a thermal processing technology used to produce high-performance metal components. The investment reflects continued growth in additive manufacturing, where downstream thermal processing is often used to optimize microstructure, density, and performance.

The order includes two eMELT machines from Freemelt, a developer of EB-PBF systems for metal additive manufacturing. Intalus will initially utilize the systems for technology and application development based on Freemelt’s open E-PBF platform, focusing on MedTech applications using titanium as a base material for future serial additive manufacturing. Following this phase, additional applications are expected to be evaluated using other refractory materials, including tungsten. Delivery of the first system is planned for the end of the third quarter of 2026.

Daniel Gidlund
CEO
Freemelt

“Entering into this agreement with Intalus represents an important milestone as we establish our first industrial presence in the U.S.,” said Daniel Gidlund, CEO of Freemelt.

The collaboration is intended to develop over time, with Intalus holding an option to expand the installation with two additional production machines, supporting a potential transition from development to serial production.

As metal additive manufacturing adoption expands, thermal processing remains an important step in qualifying components for demanding applications. Heat Treat Today has previously reported on the use of hot isostatic pressing (HIP), stress relieving, and other thermal processing methods used to improve the density, microstructure, and performance of additively manufactured metal parts. As noted in Dan Herring and Nikolai Alexander’s article published in Heat Treat Today’s Annual Aerospace Heat Treating magazine (March 2026), thermal processing and HIP can play a key role in achieving final material properties and reducing internal defects. Readers interested in the relationship between additive manufacturing and thermal processing can explore additional Heat Treat Today coverage in related articles here: AM Drives Hypersonic Engine Development Demand and Can You HIP It? Investigating Hot Isostatic Pressing.

Press release is available in its original form here.

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