Constellium SE Achieves Milestone with Industrial-Scale Hydrogen Casting for Decarbonisation
Key Ideas
- Constellium successfully completed industrial-scale hydrogen casting at C-TEC, using a 12-tonne furnace with quality monitoring via Batscan™ technology.
- The company will process the 12-tonne aluminium slab for electric vehicles, aiming to decarbonise industrial activities by exploring hydrogen as a substitute for natural gas.
- Constellium is engaged in HyInHeat project and other initiatives to advance hydrogen technologies for industrial decarbonisation and enhance sustainability in manufacturing.
- Ludovic Piquier, of Constellium, emphasized the significance of the hydrogen casting achievement in decarbonising industrial activities and promoting green technologies.
Constellium SE has achieved a significant milestone by successfully conducting its inaugural industrial-scale hydrogen casting at C-TEC, the company's primary R&D center. The casting, performed in a 12-tonne furnace with strict internal protocols, involved quality monitoring using Batscan™ technology to detect inclusions in molten aluminum. Notably, no quality impact was observed from hydrogen combustion on the metal during the process.
The 12-tonne aluminum slab produced using hydrogen will undergo further processing at Constellium's Neuf-Brisach site in France, with the aim of being utilized in electric vehicles. This achievement aligns with the company's commitment to decarbonizing industrial activities by exploring hydrogen as a potential alternative to natural gas, provided it is green, accessible, and cost-effective for industrial applications.
Constellium is actively involved in various multi-stakeholder projects to advance hydrogen technologies for industrial decarbonization. One prominent initiative is the HyInHeat project, supported by the European Union, which focuses on substituting natural gas with hydrogen in aluminum and steel transformation processes. Alongside hydrogen, Constellium is exploring other decarbonization technologies, including direct electrification solutions compatible with existing furnaces.
Ludovic Piquier, Senior VP of Manufacturing Excellence and Chief Technical Officer at Constellium, expressed excitement about the successful completion of the first industrial-scale hydrogen casting. He emphasized that this accomplishment signifies a crucial step in Constellium's journey towards decarbonization of industrial activities. Using hydrogen as a replacement for natural gas not only demonstrates the company's dedication to sustainability but also opens doors for future innovations in green technologies.