Metals

Constellium installs furnace in Alabama

Constellium N.V., a Netherlands-based aluminum company with operations in Europe and the United States, has completed the installation of a recycling furnace at its Muscle Shoals, Alabama, aluminum facility. The company says the new furnace will expand its recycling capabilities in North America.

The furnace is expected to increase the plant’s total recycling output by 170 million pounds, or by 5.2 billion additional used beverage cans (UBC), per year. With the new furnace, Constellium’s Muscle Shoals facility will be able to recycle nearly 20 billion aluminum cans per year, the company says.

“This new furnace is a major step for our Muscle Shoals facility, great news for our customers and an exciting step forward in our commitment to promote recycling and sustainability,” says Mike Tanchuk, president and CEO of the plant.

Constellium says the new furnace, which meets the best available control technology (BACT) requirements set forth by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, also is expected to improve the safety, energy efficiency and environmental footprint of the plant.

The company says its recycling facility at the Muscle Shoals plant is one of the largest recyclers of UBCs in the world.

Constellium says its Muscle Shoals plant has the widest strip mill in the U.S. and is one of its largest sites. The plant’s main product is aluminum can sheet for the packaging industry.

Arconic signs multiyear deal with Toyota

Arconic, headquartered in New York City, has announced a multiyear deal with Toyota North America to supply aluminum for the Lexus RX. The RX, which debuted last year, is Toyota’s first North American vehicle prominently featuring aluminum exterior panels.

“Automakers worldwide are turning to aluminum for the stronger, tougher, higher performing vehicles that consumers demand,” says Mark Vrablec, president of Arconic’s Aerospace and Automotive Products business. “Many bestselling vehicles in America have already converted to aluminum for improved performance, including better fuel efficiency, more towing and payload capacity and improved vehicle safety scores. This trend will continue.”

This deal makes Arconic the sole aluminum sheet supplier to Toyota for the Lexus RX.

Arconic will supply Toyota from its plants in Davenport, Iowa, and in Danville, Illinois.