News from Abroad: Global Metal Processing Upgrades and Operational Improvements

March 6, 2026 / HEAT TREAT NEWS

In today’s News from Abroad installment, we highlight several major global developments — from expanded heat treating capacity and furnace electrification to advanced refractory repair solutions and cutting-edge casting technology — underscoring ongoing innovation and investment across the international metals processing landscape.

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.

New Homogenizing Facility Boosts Efficiency in Aluminum Processing

The entire homogenising centre is controlled via a modern automation platform that enables centralised monitoring of temperature profiles, cycle times, billet tracking, and system diagnostics.

“Hydro has awarded Sistem Teknik Industrial Furnaces a contract for the supply of a new aluminium logs homogenising centre at Hydro’s plant in Luce, France. The project centres on a 30-ton per charge aluminium logs homogenising centre, engineered to deliver high-capacity billet processing with optimised energy consumption and plant integration.”

“In addition to supplying new equipment, the project scope includes the modernisation and integration of selected existing systems at the Luce plant. By upgrading control logic and harmonising communication protocols, the new homogenising centre will operate as a fully integrated part of Hydro’s broader production infrastructure. This approach ensures operational continuity while introducing enhanced process control capabilities.”

Aluminum Producer Modernizes Aging and Log Furnaces for Sustainable Heat Treating

This changeover is an important step in terms of energy efficiency and resource conservation, with annual CO₂ savings of around 311 tons in the overall heat treatment process.

“Extrutec has successfully completed an electrification project at Neuman Aluminium’s production facility in Marktl, Austria. The project involved converting two log furnaces from gas to electricity, as well as all aging furnaces. In addition, waste heat from the foundry is used for preheating. The electricity required comes from 100% renewable energy sources. The plant could therefore reduce Scope 1 CO₂ emissions by about 94%.”

“[The] new furnaces bring significant technical improvements to the production process. The components are heated more quickly and evenly by horizontal air flow. The appearance of the parts also benefits — stains and water residues are significantly minimised by extracting the residual moisture after quenching at the beginning of the heat treatment process during heating.”

Advanced Gunning Technology Reduces Interruptions in Thermal Processing

CALDE® MAG GUN VELOCITY helps steel manufacturers reduce downtime | Image Credit: Calderys

“Calderys introduces a new hot-gunning approach, improving furnace availability by increasing effective repair rates and cutting the number of maintenance interventions required in both Basic Oxygen Furnace and Electric Arc Furnace operations.”

“The CALDE® MAG GUN VELOCITY range is composed of an MgO-based refractory gunning material based on a multi-aggregate, multi-binder formulation, designed to promote rapid water extraction and strong adhesion during application. This mechanism results in a high effective gunning rate, with more than 80% of the applied material adhering to the lining, while limiting rebound, popping and spalling. The formulation also avoids the formation of low-temperature liquid phases, contributing to stable high-temperature behavior.”

New Anti-Bulging Solution Optimizes Steel Casting Lines

After 10 years of successful operation, all five Arvedi ESP lines at Rizhao are now equipped with LevCon Bender Anti-Bulging technology | Image Credit: Primetals Technologies

“Primetals Technologies has received the final acceptance certificate (FAC) from leading Chinese producer Rizhao Steel for the installation of the innovative LevCon Bender Anti-Bulging system on all its five Arvedi ESP high-speed casters.”

“The system combines conventional mold-level control with the ability to dynamically adjust the roller gap in the bender — hydraulically operated and position-controlled — allowing active regulation of the liquid steel volume at the top of the caster. This real-time control strategy continuously compensates for mold-level fluctuations caused by bulging, increasing average casting speeds, improving surface quality by reducing oscillation marks, and minimizing casting powder entrapment. At the same time, it significantly reduces the risk of breakouts and liquid steel overflow.”

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22 News Chatter To Keep You Current

February 14, 2025 / HEAT TREAT NEWS, MANUFACTURING HEAT TREAT NEWS

Heat Treat Today offers News Chatter, a feature highlighting representative moves, transactions, and kudos from around the industry. Enjoy these 22 news items.

Equipment

ROGESA Roheisengesellschaft Saar GmbH has commissioned SMS group to carry out a comprehensive modernization of blast furnace 4 (BF4), which will extend the service life of the blast furnace and ensure effective monitoring of the hearth lining. The contract includes the planning and delivery of the Paul Wurth hearth lining and multi thermocouple sensor probes (MTPs), as well as technical support during the installation phase at the in Dillingen, Germany, location. Additionally, Future Forgeworks, a steel manufacturer based in Brisbane, Australia, has commissioned SMS group to supply the nation’s first continuous mill technology (CMT^® 350) mill. Future Forgeworks’ landmark project, the Swanbank Green Steel Mill Project, will produce rebar steel in an endless process for the Australian company, guaranteeing low carbon emissions and highly efficient production.
Piper Industrial Manufacturing Company, a Piper Aircraft, Inc., subsidiary, has acquired a Flexform™ fluid cell press from Quintus Technologies, expanding its equipment inventory to target the growing demand for low volume, high-complexity sheet metal forming. The company provides turnkey world-class manufacturing solutions.
Steel producer Colakoğlu Metalurji AS, has placed an order with SMS group for the modernization of the laminar cooling section and the downcoiler in its 1,850-millimeter hot strip mill. With the completion of the laminar cooling system upgrade, the Turkish company plans to enter the market for wear-resistant steel grades. Additionally, Fujian Kebao Metal Products Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Fujian Sanbao Group, has contracted with SMS for two tinplate continuous annealing lines (TIN CALs).
A heat and energy management company that produces approximately 2 million complex parts per year has expanded with a custom-made VAB furnace for vacuum aluminum brazing. SECO/WARWICK has delivered the furnace to the company, located in the Czech Republic.
Aluminum and renewable energy company Hydro has decided to invest in a new sow casting line at Husnes to increase its primary aluminum casthouse flexibility. The company’s primary plant produces low-carbon extrusion ingot for the European construction and automotive industries. The sow caster, which will have a capacity of 100,000 tonnes per year, will give flexibility to produce sow ingots in periods of lower demand for the plant’s main products.
Secat, Inc., recently announced the addition of the Alubin extrusion press to its Nicholasville Pilot Lab. The press was donated by Wagstaff, Inc., which manufactures direct chill aluminum casting systems. This equipment will elevate the company’s testing, development, and small-scale production capabilities.
Tenova will supply a new hot dip galvanizing line for PT Tata Metal Indonesia. The flexibility of the new line for zinc aluminum magnesium alloys will enable production of three types of coated coils.

View of ROGESA blast furnace 4 from the water treatment plant

Company & Personnel

Can-Eng Furnaces International, Ltd. has announced the promotion of two long-standing employees to new leadership roles in 2025. Jason Clay has been promoted to manufacturing operations manager, overseeing the future direction of the company’s manufacturing strategies. Adam DeCiccio has been promoted to purchasing and logistics manager and will focus on implementing innovative strategies and improvements within purchasing, supply chain, and inventory planning to support company growth.
thyssenkrupp Aerospace, a logistics service provider for the commercial aerospace industry, and aluminum manufacturer Novelis have renewed their strategic partnership through a multi-year agreement.
Kolene Corporation recently announced the promotions of Timothy D. Shoemaker and Peter L. Shoemaker, both to co-chief operating officers for the corporation. Tim Shoemaker is responsible for sales and has oversight of the company’s engineering, field service, and project management departments. Peter Shoemaker continues to lead the company’s chemical supply chain and order fulfillment departments, as well as its critical replacement parts revenue segment.
Gasbarre‘s new 150,000-square-foot facility in St. Marys, Pennsylvania, recently became fully operational, with expanded floor space, upgraded infrastructure, and state-of-the-art equipment.
JSW Steel Dolvi Works has selected SMS group for a major expansion of its steelmaking facility, increasing the annual capacity of the existing steel mill by 3.7 million tons per year.
Watlow, a provider of industrial technology and thermal systems, recently expanded its executive leadership team by appointing two regional presidents to oversee operations in Asia and Europe. Shiyi Zhou will serve as regional president of Asia, and Klaus Aarestrupp as regional president over Europe.
Ipsen announced the 2025 schedule for its comprehensive training course on vacuum furnace equipment. Ipsen U will take place on April 1-3, June 10-12, August 12-14, and October 7-9 in Cherry Valley, Illinois.
CAN-ENG Furnaces International Ltd has formed a strategic partnership with Piotr Pelian, founder of Industrial Process Technology to expand its European presence.
Hydro and Northvolt have signed an agreement where Hydro will acquire the remaining shares in the battery recycler Hydrovolt for NOK 78 million, increasing its ownership in Hydrovolt from 72 to 100 percent through this transaction. Hydrovolt is a raw materials company established in 2020 as a 50/50 joint venture between Hydro and Northvolt.

Jason Clay
Manufacturing Operations Manager
CAN-ENG Furnaces International, Ltd

Kudos

Solar Atmospheres, Inc. has been recognized as the industry leader in the Surface Treatment Services category of the 2024 Leadership in Medtech Awards.
Phoenix Heat Treating has announced that their furnaces have received approvals from Pratt & Whitney and Bell Helicopter, increasing the company’s capacity to process orders that require specifically approved furnaces, ensuring compliance with stringent aerospace and defense standards.
Steelhead Technologies recently announced the launch of the Tides of Steel Sweepstakes, in partnership with Calvary Industries. The contest offers an opportunity for job shops to win prizes that will accelerate 2025 growth and reward hard-working teams.
The Otto Junker Foundation announced the winners of the Otto Junker Prize 2024, honoring outstanding academic achievements at the RWTH (Technical University of Aachen). The recipients are: Daniel Baggen, Moritz Diewald, Gerrit Ipers, and Jan Krusenbaum.
Mark Thomason and John Blauser, both of Gasbarre, have received the 2025 Distinguished Service to Powder Metallurgy Award from the Metal Powder Industries Federation (MPIF). The award recognizes individuals who have dedicated at least 25 years to the powder metallurgy (PM) industry and made outstanding, long-term contributions that have earned the admiration of their peers.
The inaugural class of field service engineers recently graduated from the Ipsen FSE Academy, a next-generation training program building on the foundation of the former Ipsen Corporate Academy. This revamped initiative reflects Ipsen’s ongoing commitment to developing top-tier talent. These engineers successfully completed an intensive 20-week training program focused on mastering the complexities of heat treatment furnace repair and service

Left to right: Wolfgang Bleck, Chairman of the Advisory Board of the OJ Foundation; Jan Krusenbaum, award winner; Gerrit Ipers, award winner; Daniel Baggen, award winner; Moritz Diewald, award winner; Ulrich Rudiger; Udo von Berg. Source: Andreas Schmitter

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Arconic Divests, Hydro Acquires Latin American Extrusions Plants

January 4, 2018 / MANUFACTURING HEAT TREAT, MANUFACTURING HEAT TREAT NEWS

Svein Richard Brandtzæg, president and CEO

Lightweight metals engineering and manufacturing firm Arconic, headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, recently announced that a global integrated aluminum solutions company will acquire its Latin American extrusions business, located in Brazil, part of the company’s transportation and construction solutions segment.

Hydro Extruded Solutions AS, formerly Sapa, which produces extruded shapes (standard and custom), seamless and structural pipe & tube, and standard and specialty rod and bar, noted in a company release that the transaction will expand its capacity to provide solutions for its manufacturing sectors in Brazil. Arconic is divesting two extrusion plants in Utinga and Tubarão in southern Brazil as part of its strategy to streamline assets and production; the assets include one casthouse, seven extrusion presses ranging from 7 to 14 inches, and value-added capabilities.

“We believe in the integrated business model and Brazil is the country where Hydro’s entire value chain is present. From bauxite and alumina, via primary production to extruded solutions, this will strengthen our ability to serve our customers,” said Svein Richard Brandtzæg, president and CEO.

Completion of the transaction is subject to approval from relevant competition authorities in Brazil and is expected within the first half of 2018.

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Automotive Aluminum Sheet Line Starts in Germany

June 30, 2017 / AUTOMOTIVE HEAT TREAT, FEATURED NEWS

Carmakers all over the world are looking for lighter materials so that their cars pollute less. As a consequence of this industry megatrend, Hydro has made several strategic investments in Norway and Germany over the last few years to meet this demand and at the same time secure the viability of high competence industrial jobs in both countries.

The EUR 130 million automotive line in Germany is the biggest in a series of investments Hydro has made recently to meet the increasing demand from carmakers.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg are attending the grand opening at the Grevenbroich plant. Both officials will speak before Hydro employees, customers and other guests from politics and industry, before unveiling the state-of-the-art facility.

The metal of the future

Aluminium is a preferred metal for automotive applications for several reasons: its density is only one-third that of steel, it has excellent corrosion properties, leads heat and electricity effectively, and not least – it is infinitely recyclable. In addition, aluminium – when alloyed and manufactured in a smart way – absorbs energy very effectively, making the cars safer.

“While global demand for aluminium is growing by 2 to 3 percent per year, we expect demand from the automotive industry to accelerate by 14 percent every year. This is due to rules and regulations, incentivizing car makers to build lighter cars that are more environmentally friendly. A car part in aluminium weighs about half of steel. In an uncertain world, one thing is certain – the world needs more aluminium,” says Hydro President & CEO Svein Richard Brandtzæg.

Made in Europe

The automotive line investment is closely linked to investments Hydro has made further upstream in the value chain in Norway. Over the past couple of years, Hydro’s casthouses in Sunndal, Høyanger, Årdal and Karmøy in Norway have been upgraded with new innovations and equipment, specifically designed to meet the requirements of car makers. Altogether, these investments are worth close to NOK 150 million. Since 2012, Hydro has invested around NOK 7.5 billion in Norwegian primary aluminium and power production. New casting technology is under implementation in Høyanger and Årdal, where Hydro produces sheet ingot which at our plants in Germany can be rolled into plates and used in so-called hang-on car parts such as doors, hoods, roofs, and trunk lids.

At Karmøy, Hydro is investing in the world’s most climate- and energy-efficient production technology for primary aluminium – the Karmøy Technology Pilot – and also upgrading one of two casthouses to become a specialty products casthouse, mainly targeting the automotive industry. Metal from Karmøy is used in extruded car parts such as bumpers, piping systems and posts.

In Sunndal, Hydro has recently invested in so-called electromagnetic stirring equipment in one of the furnaces. The intention is to secure higher-quality aluminium ingots, a large part of which ultimately ending up as metal for cast car components such as engine parts and wheels.

Germany most important market

Germany is Hydro’s main market, with an overall turnover of about 1.4 billion Euro in 2016 and more than 6,000 employees in Hamburg, Rackwitz close to Leipzig, Neuss and Grevenbroich.

In the Neuss area, Hydro is running the biggest and most powerful aluminum network in Europe consisting of the aluminum and recycling smelter in Rheinwerk, the rolling mill Alunorf joint venture and the finishing mill in Grevenbroich. All activities are supported by the largest central research and development center in the European aluminum industry, based in Bonn, and the sorting center for used aluminum in Dormagen.

The main businesses for Hydro in Germany are Automotive, Foil, Cans, General Engineering and aluminum for lithographic applications.

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Status and Outlook of the North American Billet Industry

June 28, 2017 / FEATURED NEWS, MANUFACTURING HEAT TREAT

Source: Light Metal Age

The editors of Light Metal Age Magazine have provided their interviews with Matthew Lanzer, Bob Katsiouleris, Christopher Boland, Robert Convery, Erik Fossum, and Tom Horter regarding the status of the North American aluminum billet industry. Read what insights these leaders from Service Center Metals, UC Rusal, Nanshan America, Matalco, Hydro and Alexin LLC have to offer regarding billet supplies.

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Hydro