Constellium and Linde announce joint development agreement for energy-saving re-melting technologies
AMSTERDAM, June 24, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Constellium N.V. (NYSE and Euronext: CSTM) and Linde Gases, a division of The Linde Group, announced today that they have signed a joint development agreement to use Linde's oxy-fuel technology in Constellium's recycling and melting furnaces, with a goal of cutting energy consumption by half while increasing melting rates by 20 percent. This announcement follows a long-term partnership with Linde in the area of energy-efficient re-melting technologies.
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The joint development agreement will build on the recent successful implementation of Linde's technology in Constellium's finishing and recycling aluminium facility of Neuf-Brisach, France, where two of the four rotary tilting furnaces have been converted to low-temperature oxy-fuel combustion technology. Following this implementation, Constellium was able to achieve greater productivity and to accelerate progress on its sustainability roadmap. The conversion of the remaining furnaces at the France plant is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2016.
"With the adoption of the oxy-fuel technology, Constellium is strengthening its commitment to sustainability by promoting energy consumption savings that are compatible with overall performance improvement," said Catherine Athenes, Sustainability Council Leader at Constellium. "This cooperation will also allow us to continue developing, producing and selling sustainable products that meet our customers' needs for innovative and recyclable solutions."
"Constellium's partnership with Linde has brought together the technical strengths of both companies to enable the application of this great technology. We are expecting significant savings and efficiency improvements in the next few months," said Simon Laddychuk, Chief Technical Officer at Constellium.
Linde has developed small burners to fit the lab-scale furnaces located in Constellium Technology Center, C-TEC. This effort has resulted in significant metal yield and further productivity increases at lab scale. The improved process is now under evaluation for implementation at industrial scale.
"This project is very significant for Linde in terms of our commitment to technological progress as a sustainable solutions provider," added Thomas Niehoff, Head of Non Ferrous and Mining at Linde. "We welcome this agreement with Constellium as it will advance the development of the oxy-fuel process, save energy and increase efficiency for fully ramped-up plants."
The implementation of the oxy-fuel technology in Neuf-Brisach is supported by the expertise of Constellium Technology Center, C-TEC. The R&T team is helping to define the required controls and operating conditions to reap the full benefits of the technology.
About Constellium
Constellium is a global sector leader that develops innovative, value added aluminium products for a broad scope of markets and applications, including aerospace, automotive and packaging. Constellium generated €3.7 billion of revenue in 2014.
About The Linde Group
The Linde Gases Division, part of The Linde Group, is a leader in the international industrial and healthcare gases markets, providing compressed, bulk, specialty and medical gases, as well as chemicals to virtually all fields of industry globally. The company adds value to its customers' businesses through the provision of state-of-the-art application technology, process know-how, services and equipment. In the 2014 financial year, The Linde Group generated revenue of €17.047 bn, making it the largest gases and engineering company in the world with approximately 65,500 employees working in more than 100 countries worldwide.
Forward Looking Statements
Certain statements contained in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. This press release may contain "forward looking statements" with respect to our business, results of operations and financial condition, and our expectations or beliefs concerning future events and conditions. You can identify forward-looking statements because they contain words such as, but not limited to, "believes," "expects," "may," "should," "approximately," "anticipates," "estimates," "intends," "plans," "targets," likely," "will," "would," "could" and similar expressions (or the negative of these terminologies or expressions). All forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Many risks and uncertainties are inherent in our industry and markets. Others are more specific to our business and operations. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the ability of Constellium and Wise to achieve expected synergies and the timing thereof; the risk that the businesses will not be integrated successfully or such integration may be more difficult, time-consuming or costly than expected; Constellium's increased levels of indebtedness as a result of the transaction, which could limit Constellium's operating flexibility and opportunities; the potential failure to retain key employees as a result of the transaction or during the integration of the business, the loss of customers, suppliers and other business relationships as a result of the transaction; disruptions to business operations resulting from the transaction; slower or lower than expected growth in the North American market for Body-in-White aluminum rolled products and other risk factors set forth under the heading "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 20-F, and as described from time to time in subsequent reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The occurrence of the events described and the achievement of the expected results depend on many events, some or all of which are not predictable or within our control. Consequently, actual results may differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
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