MANUFACTURING HEAT TREAT NEWS

News from Abroad: Growth from Mergers, Alliances, and Broadened Capabilities

Today’s News from Abroad installment is all about growth in the global heat treating market. A heat treater expands its contract machinery product line with brazing and sintering capabilities, a capital goods manufacturing group bolsters its vacuum heat treatment production capabilities, and a long-term technology alliance results in manufacturing growth of refractory products for glass melting plants in the glass industry. To round out our news from abroad, Japanese steel giants set their sights on government funding allocated to advance research and development in decarbonizing operations.

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.heat processing, a Vulkan-Verlag GmbHa publication, serves mostly the European and Asian heat treat markets, and Furnaces International, a Quartz Business Media publication, primarily serves the English-speaking globe.

Merger Results in Heat Treatment Furnaces Manufacturing Division

ECM Group reorganizing into four distinct divisions

“The ECM Group is reinforcing its capital goods manufacturing business by bringing together several legal entities under the company ECM Technologies. This merger between ECM Technologies, ECM Greentech, and ECM Technologies Villard Bonnot creates a division dedicated to the manufacturing of innovative heat treatment furnaces. The aim of this merger is to better serve its customers and respond more effectively to market changes. It will enable the ECM Group to build up a veritable hub of skills and knowledge around its core areas of thermal engineering, gas management and atmospheres. This marks a first step towards realizing its ambition of becoming the world leader in vacuum heat treatment equipment, all technologies combined.”

READ MORE: “ECM Technologies merges with ECM Greentech” – at heat-processing.com

Japanese Steel Giants Pursue Government Allocated Green Funding

Japanese steel producers apply for government green subsidy

“Two of the largest integrated steel producers in Japan, Nippon Steel and JFE Steel, have applied for government funding allocated through the new Green Transformation Promotion Act (GX) to advance research and development in decarbonizing operations. JFE Steel is seeking funds to build a new large electric arc furnace (EAF) to replace blast furnace No. 2 at West Japan Works (Kurashiki). The company expects the EAF to be commissioned between 2027-2028. Blast Furnace No. 2 at the plant underwent a re-lining in 2003. JFE usually performs such maintenance after about 25 years of operation, so the next one is due in 2028. However, JFE Steel hopes that the new electric arc furnace will be operational by then, so the unit can be shut down. West Japan Works currently operates three blast furnaces with a steel output of about 8Mt/yr.”

READ MORE: “Japanese steel giants apply for government subsidy to go green” at furnaces-international.com

Contract Machinery Manufacturer Expands Capabilities With Vacuum Brazing Furnace, Sintering Press

Tresky Automation expands its machine park for contract manufacturing (Source: Tresky)

Tresky Automation announces the latest addition to its contract manufacturing machinery. Customers will now benefit from a state-of-the-art vacuum brazing furnace and a powerful sintering press with a maximum pressing force of up to 15 kN. The new equipment enables Tresky to offer additional manufacturing technologies, which is particularly beneficial for demanding applications in the fields of photonics, optoelectronics, hybrid bonding, microelectronics and power electronics. The new vacuum brazing furnace offers the possibility to produce material bonding under controlled conditions with nitrogen (N2) or formic acid (HCOOH). This process effectively reduces voids, as the vacuum allows air or process residues to escape during the preheating and melting phase of the solder. The result is virtually void- and flux-free solder joints that are characterized by high reliability.”

READ MORE: “Tresky Automation strengthens its portfolio with investments in contract manufacturing” at heatprocessing.com. 

Technology Alliance Enables Growth in Refractory Products Manufacturing

Long-term technology alliance of RATH and REFRATECHNIK

RATH and REFRATECHNIK announced the launch of a long-term technology alliance. The goal of the ambitious partnership is close collaboration in the development and manufacture of refractory products for glass melting plants in the glass industry. As part of the technology alliance, both companies will contribute their respective know-how in glass manufacturing and refractory production to combine it into a unique technology solution. The two companies will be operating under the name ‘R² – THE GLASS FURNACE ALLIANCE.’ The alliance enables RATH to expand its technological expertise, as products manufactured by REFRATECHNIK will be developed in close collaboration with the research and development departments of both companies.”

READ MORE: “RATH and REFRATECHNIK form technology alliance” at furnaces-international. 


Find Heat Treating Products And Services When You Search On Heat Treat Buyers Guide.Com

News from Abroad: Growth from Mergers, Alliances, and Broadened Capabilities Read More »

Heat Treater Expands Hardening Plant Capabilities

A heat treater with surface hardening capabilities recently expanded its operational line with a vacuum furnace. The new equipment offers a working space of 35.5 x 35.5 x 47 in (900 x 900 x 1200 mm), enabling the processing of larger elements.

This is the 14th vacuum furnace that SECO/WARWICK has provided to Aalberts surface technologies Group, which specializes in vacuum heat treatment, vacuum brazing, hardening of stainless steels, and coating systems for industry. It is the seventh Vector vacuum furnace to be installed at this location in Eindhoven, The Netherlands. It is equipped with high-pressure hardening of 15 bar abs., the option of installing liquid nitrogen, convection heating, directional cooling, and isothermal quenching.

“The solution design is based on the standard VP vacuum furnace Vector type solution. Vector has a round heating chamber and an efficient cooling system,” said Grzegorz Głuchowski, sales manager at SECO/WARWICK. “The additional option of installing liquid nitrogen allows for the load faster cooling after the hardening process. This translates into the furnace’s greater efficiency.”

“This will be the seventh SECO/WARWICK solution operating in Eindhoven. This time, delivery time was key. The solution we ordered is quite specific. We have specific requirements, which are the result of over 80 years of industry experience. The Vector vacuum furnace’s design from the customer’s perspective is very well thought out, as it allows for modifications and additional options. It is one of the most flexible metal heat treatment furnaces on the market,” said Steffen Schneiders, managing director of “The Netherlands & Nordic” from Aalberts surface technologies.

The press release is available in its original form here.



Heat Treater Expands Hardening Plant Capabilities Read More »

Furnace Manufacturers Form Partnership To Bolster Processing in North America

AFC-Holcroft (AFCH), an industrial furnace manufacturer based in Wixom, MI, recently announced a strategic partnership with Tokai Konetsu Kogyo Co., Ltd. (TKK), a designer and manufacturer of industrial furnaces in Japan and China. The merger is aimed at enhancing their industrial furnace business for electronics part and battery material (anode/cathode) processing in North America.

Tracy Doughterty
Chief Operating Officer
AFC Holcroft
Source: AFC Holcroft

AFC-Holcroft designs and manufactures a wide range of industrial furnaces, including universal batch quench, pusher, continuous belt, roller and rotary hearth, and walking beam furnaces, predominantly for the North American market. Tokai Konetsu Kogyo Co., Ltd., based in Tokyo, Japan, is an industrial furnace manufacturer with a client base primarily in Japan and China. The company has supplied continuous and batch furnaces and battery material processing furnaces to industrial sectors across North America, including the United States, Canada, and Mexico, as well as Asia.

“AFC-Holcroft is thrilled to join forces with TKK,” said Tracy Dougherty, chief operating officer of AFCH. “Together, we will drive innovation and deliver exceptional value to our EV customers in the anode and cathode materials industrial furnace market.”

The press release is available in its original form here.



Furnace Manufacturers Form Partnership To Bolster Processing in North America Read More »

Steel Industry Acquisitions: Updates Following US Election

As U.S. election results were announced last week, several steel industry players are in the midst of acquisitions that could mean changes for in-house heat treat operators in North America.

Cleveland-Cliffs Expands North American Presence

Lourenco Goncalves
Chairman, President, CEO
Cliffs
Source: Cliffs

Cleveland-Cliffs Inc. (“Cliffs”) today announced that it has successfully completed its acquisition of Stelco Holdings Inc. (“Stelco”). The addition of Stelco enhances Cliffs’ position as the largest flat-rolled steel producer in North America, diversifies Cliffs’ end-markets and expands its geographical presence in Canada. Stelco will continue operations as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cliffs, preserving the name and iconic Canadian legacy of the business.

Lourenco Goncalves, chairman, president and CEO of Cliffs, stated: “Today marks a transformative step forward for Cleveland-Cliffs. By bringing Stelco into the Cliffs family, we are building on our commitment to integrated steelmaking and good paying union jobs in North America. This acquisition allows us to further diversify our customer base and lower our cost structure. We are excited about the opportunities this acquisition brings and appreciate the warm welcome we have received from all government officials in Canada. We take our permission to operate very seriously and aim to continue the Stelco legacy with dedication and purpose.”

Nothing New: Questions for Nippon-U. S. Steel Acquisition

Takahiro Mori
Vice Chairman and Executive Vice President
Nippon Steel
Source: Nippon Steel

This past April 2024, U. S. Steel was heralding the merger with Nippon Steel as advancing their sustainable steel goals. Still, outgoing President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris as well as President-Elect Donald Trump and Vice President-Elect JD Vance have all spoken out with concerns to preserve American ownership of U. S. Steel. “And I couldn’t agree more with President Biden,” commented Harris recently along the campaign trail in September, “US Steel should remain American owned and American operated.”

At this time, the U. S. Committee on Foreign Investment has the proposed acquisition under review until late December 2024.

If the deal is approved before the January 2025 inauguration, that does not guarantee that Trump would not overturn the results. However, “The previous Trump administration said it would attract foreign investment and create new jobs,” commented Nippon Steel Vice Chairman and Executive Vice President Takahiro Mori. “This (acquisition) is extremely in line with such a policy.” He still aims to see the deal close before the end of the calendar year.

The press release for the Cliff’s story is available in its original form here.



Steel Industry Acquisitions: Updates Following US Election Read More »

West Coast Semiconductor Supplier Bolsters In-House Heat Treat

A semiconductor industry supplier recently ordered an extra-large 2-bar vacuum furnace specific to the company’s high-temperature process. The new addition will increase the supplier’s capabilities to meet demand from industry sectors.

Piotr Zawistowski
Managing Director
SECO/VACUUM
Source: SECO/VACUUM

The 2-bar vacuum furnace designed by SECO/VACUUM will be shipped more quickly than other options.

“Not every thermal process calls for a solution that falls neatly into one of our traditional furnace categories. This one is oversized, has a hot-zone equipped for unconventional features, and will serve an application with different process considerations than most of our furnaces,” said Piotr Zawistowski, managing director of SECO/VACUUM.

The press release is available in its original form here.



West Coast Semiconductor Supplier Bolsters In-House Heat Treat Read More »

Sandia National Laboratories Expands Production Capabilities with 2 Vacuum Furnaces

Sandia National Laboratories has acquired two horizontal vacuum furnaces for one of its production labs in Albuquerque, NM. The furnaces will meet the multimission laboratory’s goal to maintain process parameters and datalogging essential for analysis to coincide with the process payload run results. The facility’s applications target roughly 70 industry sectors, including nuclear deterrence, arms control, nonproliferation, hazardous waste disposal, and climate change.

In the tandem system designed and set up by AVS Incorporated, one furnace operates at a maximum of 1600°C (2912°F) and the other at 1300°C (2372°F). Both have a 100-lb load capacity. The systems integrate wet and dry hydrogen process gas along with all refractory metal hot zones. The HMI interface and controls allow for countless combinations of recipes and selectable functions.

Sandia National Laboratories is one of three research and development laboratories of the United States Department of Energy‘s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) with the primary goal of advancing U.S. national security by developing various science-based technologies. 

The press release is available in its original form here.



Sandia National Laboratories Expands Production Capabilities with 2 Vacuum Furnaces Read More »

Special Springs Enhances Production Capabilities with Nitriding System

Springs and gas cylinders manufacturer Special Springs has bolstered its heat treating capacity with a new nitriding turnkey system. By adding to their production capabilities, the company aims to meet the growing demands of their client base, which includes the automotive, appliance, agriculture, and heavy equipment sectors.

Marcin Stokłosa
Technical Sales Manager
NITREX Poland

This expansion follows a long-standing collaboration, which began in October 2004 with the commissioning of Special Springs‘ first Nitrex nitriding turnkey system and continues with the installation of an NXK series furnace in July 2024.

The springs manufacturer installed the compact NXK-812 furnace, which incorporates the heat treat technologies Nitreg and ONC, to accommodate increased capacity and optimize production efficiency. The system has a load capacity of 1,200 kg (2,600 lbs); the two furnaces work alongside each other, utilizing interchangeable material handling equipment to ensure continuity and efficiency in their production process.

“[Special Springs’] decision to expand with a second Nitrex system highlights the strength of our solutions and the trust we’ve built over the years. We look forward to seeing future advancements supporting advanced gas springs exemplifies the synergy achieved through strategic collaboration, advanced heat treat technologies, and exceptional support,” said Marcin Stoklosa, technical sales manager of EMEA region at Nitrex.

The press release is available in its original form here.



Special Springs Enhances Production Capabilities with Nitriding System Read More »

Commercial Heat Treater Expands Capabilities with 12th Vacuum Furnace

HART-TECH has expanded its capabilities with a vacuum furnace that will allow for the heat treatment of multiple steel types and the ability to implement a wide range of processes, from hardening through vacuum carburizing and carbonitriding. The furnace will efficiently heat treat large loads of research, test, and production elements.

Maciej Korecki
Vice President of Business of the Vacuum Furnace Segment
SECO/WARWICK

The commercial heat treater has previously incorporated over 10 SECO/WARWICK processing solutions. This system is being provided to work on the implementation of vacuum carbonitriding technology services that HART-TECH can now offer to a wide range of clients.

“We can say that we have a kind of synergy with the HART-TECH hardening plant,” said Maciej Korecki, vice president of the SECO/WARWICK Group’s vacuum segment. “Our partner, just like us, loves science, research, and development, and the common curiosity about the world motivates us to create further innovations.” 

Dr. Eng. Robert Pietrasik, Sc.D.
Management Board CEO & Technological Dept Head Director
HART-TECH Sp. zo. o.

“This solution will help us to put into action a project concerning the implementation of vacuum carbonitriding technology at the HART-TECH plant with our customers in mind,” said Dr. Eng. Robert Pietrasik, president of HART-TECH. “We want to implement the low-pressure carbonitriding process and be able to use it in mass production. 

“By expanding the machine park with a new vacuum furnace,” Dr. Pietrasik continued, “we will also significantly shorten the waiting times for heat treatment for our current and future customers. The large workspace will significantly increase our capabilities for processing elements hardened in gas. Thus, we will be able to gradually switch from hardening elements in oil to hardening in gas, which is more efficient, cleaner and ensures smaller deformations.” 

The vacuum furnace supplied to the company has been enhanced with a gas system equipped with two acetylene mass valves, a hydrogen mass valve, and an ammonia mass valve. The furnace can use three gases for various technologies: acetylene, hydrogen and ammonia. HART-TECH specializes in hardening, carburizing, nitriding, sulfur nitriding, steel tempering, supersaturation and aging, annealing, vacuum brazing and low-friction layers, and hardening of machine and tool elements.

The press release is available in its original form here.



Commercial Heat Treater Expands Capabilities with 12th Vacuum Furnace Read More »

18 News Chatter To Keep You Current

Heat Treat Today offers News Chatter, a feature highlighting representative moves, transactions, and kudos from around the industry. Enjoy these 18 news items.


Equipment

  1. Saarstahl expands its production with an alternate current-electric arc furnace (AC-EAF) supplied by SMS group.
  2. A Class A safety oven equipped with a solvent monitor and roll-in rack, meeting the stringent safety requirements of industries working with volatile materials, was recently shipped by industrial and laboratory ovens manufacturer Blue M
  3. A manufacturer in the defense industry has received shipment of a gas-fired walk-in batch oven from Wisconsin Oven Corporation, to be used for curing filament wound composite materials.

Company & Personnel

  1. Sean Patrick Murphy has been named product manager for laboratory and R&D furnaces at Centorr Vacuum Industries. He will be responsible for representing over 30 different vacuum furnace product lines to national laboratories, universities, and industrial sectors.
  2. Charles (Charlie) Caldwell joins the team at Solar Atmospheres of Michigan Inc. as the quality manager for its new facility in Chesterfield.
  3. Steel Goode Products LLC (SGP), a thermal spray specialist, has recently been acquired by Aalberts N.V., a provider of thermal spray coating and finishing services. The acquisition includes two operating facilities in Texas and one in Ohio.
  4. The Wirco, Inc, team recently announced Chris Robbins as the new director of business development and Chad Kumfer to the position of director of sales.
  5. Daniel Sonnenberg joins Nitrex Heat Treating Services as the new business development lead for North America. Daniel will focus on identifying and cultivating relationships with potential customers. His goal is to foster trust and drive growth by building enduring partnerships that deliver sustained value over time.
  6. Dave Deiwart has begun a new position as president at Tracer Gas Technologies, based in Yorktown, Indiana. This follows a brief retirement after 35 years of providing leak detection and vacuum application support and training. Dave’s new focus will be on providing training and consulting.
  7. Nel Hydrogen Electrolyser AS, a fully owned subsidiary of Nel ASA, has been awarded a grant from the EU Innovation Fund of up to EUR 135 million (over $145.4M USD) for industrialization of its next-generation pressurized alkaline technology. The technology is currently being prototyped, and the potential industrialization is planned at Herøya, Norway.
  8. OTTO JUNKER GmbH, system providers for metallurgic processes and metal refinement, recently announced that the new business division OTTO JUNKER Solutions, which was established in late 2023, will be further expanded. The company’s focus will be on the development and implementation of green technologies. The new division is headed by R&D expert Tobias Mertens.

Kudos

  1. Constellium SE has received the Supplier of the Year Award from Stellantis, recognized for its overall best-in-class performance as a long-time partner.
  2. Gary Sharp, founder of Advanced Heat Treat Corp, has been honored with the Legends of Manufacturing Award at the Iowa Manufacturing Conference.
  3. Global Thermal Systems (GTS) Mexico’s pyrometry laboratories recently completed the reaccreditation process in the ISO/IEC 17025 standard.
  4. Rex Heat Treat has achieved its fourth consecutive merit-status Nadcap certification under the leadership of Conner Popo, quality assurance manager, and Vindon Griffin, technical services manager. 
  5. Aalberts surface technologies Dzierżoniów recently celebrated its tenth anniversary. Through acquisition and expansion, the company has grown from 16 employees in 2014 to a current team of over 90 employees, serving the automotive, aerospace, power, fasteners, agriculture, and mining sectors.
  6. The Metal Treating Institute (MTI) recently celebrated its 2024 YES Management Training Program graduates at the final reception of Furnaces North America (FNA) 2024.
  7. Bennett Heat Treating & Brazing Co. received the 2024 Master Craftsman Award, also known as the Heat Treater of the Year Award, at the Metal Treating Institute’s Final Night Dinner & Awards Ceremony following FNA 2024. The award was announced by Doug Glenn, publisher of Heat Treat Today along with a scholarship check for the heat treater to bestow upon a deserving young student going into heat treat.

Find Heat Treating Products And Services When You Search On Heat Treat Buyers Guide.Com

18 News Chatter To Keep You Current Read More »

News from Abroad: New Technologies and Sustainability Initiatives Result in Industry Growths and Closures

Today’s News from Abroad installment highlights some of the ups and downs in the global heat treating market which are largely driven by new technologies and sustainability initiatives. In growth news, a heat treater expands its product line with industrial furnaces and technologies and an Italian company invests in sustainable technology. In addition, a UK steelmaker closes its last remaining blast furnace.

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.heat processing, a Vulkan-Verlag GmbHa publication, serves mostly the European and Asian heat treat markets, and Furnaces International, a Quartz Business Media publication, primarily serves the English-speaking globe.

Heat Treater Expands Product Line To Include Vacuum Furnaces

Aichelin product range expands with vacuum furnaces and technologies
Source: AICHELIN

AICHELIN Group has expanded its product range to include innovative industrial vacuum furnaces and technologies. The modern, flexible, and environmentally friendly solutions were presented for the first time at the ‘HärtereiKongress’ in Cologne from October 8 to 10. The new vacuum furnaces are sold, designed, and produced by the joint venture company AICHELIN ST Vacuum GmbH, which was founded in May. With the addition of this important market segment, AICHELIN is now a full-service provider for heat treatment solutions.”

READ MORE: “AICHELIN expands into the industrial vacuum furnace market” – at heat-processing.com

Italian Company Boosts Green Transition With Investment in ARP

Delna S.p.A. team at Tenova’s acid regeneration plant in Italy
Source: Tenova

Tenova, a developer and provider of sustainable solutions for the green transition of the metals industry, has been awarded a contract by Delna S.p.A., an ArcelorMittal CLN Distribuzione Italia Group company and primary provider of pickling service of coils and wire rod, for its plant in Brivio, Italy, for an acid regeneration plant (ARP) with a capacity of 2.000 l/h. Delna’s investment will boost the green transition of its plant, recovering the waste acid used in its pickling line and therefore minimizing its environmental footprint. The new ARP will be equipped with the BLUEdriven™ cutting-edge package solutions that will be controlled by a customized monitoring process, increasing production flexibility and optimizing operative costs, while guaranteeing minimal environmental impact.”

READ MORE: “Tenova to supply an Acid Regeneration Plant for Delna in Italy at heat-processing.com. 

UK Steel plant shutters last remaining blast furnace

Final furnace shuts down at Tata’s UK plant
Source: Tata Steel

Tata Steel has begun the process of winding down operations at blast furnace 4 at Port Talbot and engineers have already started altering the raw materials poured into the top of the furnace to prepare for decommissioning. Blast furnace 5 was closed in July. The closure is part of Tata’s transition towards a greener form of steelmaking as it plans to build a £1.25 billion electric arc furnace for the Port Talbot site by 2027, which produces steel by melting scrap metal. The new Labour government agreed a taxpayer-backed deal earlier this month for the Port Talbot plant in which it will provide £500 million towards the construction of the new electric arc furnace at the site, with the plant’s Indian owners, Tata Steel, paying £750 million.”

READ MORE: “Tata Steel’s UK plant shutters last remaining blast furnace” at furnaces-international.com. 


Find Heat Treating Products And Services When You Search On Heat Treat Buyers Guide.Com

News from Abroad: New Technologies and Sustainability Initiatives Result in Industry Growths and Closures Read More »

Skip to content