Talum expands aluminium extrusion billet production

Founded in 1942, Talum started operating a newly built electrolysis in 1954, which was expanded continuously in the following years. The production has since been modernised and the product range expanded. One of the most important - and expanding - product lines of the Group are aluminium extrusion billets.  

The semi-finished product range includes standard AlMgSi alloys. For the homogenisation of these materials, the continuous homogenizing furnace, developed by Hertwich, offers a number of advantages. Compared to the conventional batch furnace, one of the salient features of the continuous process is the fact that each individual billet is heated uniformly and identically. Quality fluctuations within a batch or even across the billet cross-section are thereby excluded. From the economic point of view, the continuous process has the advantage of a completely automated work-flow.

Talum had already installed an aluminium continuous homogenising and sawing line from Hertwich in 1996. When an expansion of the homogenising capacity became necessary, the contract was awarded to Hertwich again.

The new furnace with a capacity of 40,000 tonnes per year will be integrated in the existing plant. One of the benefits of this is that the already existing saw can be used. Furthermore, a helical ultrasonic testing station as well as the additionally required handling equipment, magazines and safety devices are included in the scope of supply.

Today the Talum Group ranks among the most important European aluminium companies. In 2016, the company had an annual turnover of around 300 million Euro with 1,300 employees and the annual production volume totalled to approx. 147,000 tonnes.

Hertwich Engineering, a company of the SMS group is renowned for its future-oriented, energy saving technologies and outstanding service in aluminium casthouse. The company is active worldwide with design, supply, construction and commissioning of special machinery and equipment for the Aluminium industry. Hertwich is competent for supplying complete Al-casthouse on a turnkey basis (one-stop-shopping). The product range comprises melting equipment for aluminium scrap, conti and batch homogenizing plants, sawing plants, horizontal and vertical casting machines and quality inspection stations, etc. To stay ahead Hertwich relies on its own R&D and proprietary know-how. For 50 years, the advanced technology has revolutionized the industry and the company maintains its worldwide lead.