Product category:
Materials and components
News Release from: Corus Automotive
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 09 February 2004
Koblenz investment to expand aluminium
supply
Corus is to invest Eur 42 million (GBP 29 million) in its aluminium rolling mill at Koblenz, Germany.
Corus is to invest Eur 42 million (GBP 29 million) in its aluminium rolling mill at Koblenz, Germany, as part of a successful strategy focusing its aluminium rolling mills on demanding, high-added-value products and markets which include automotive and aerospace The investment will expand significantly Koblenz aircraft plate and sheet capacity and capability, through improvements in the entire production route from cast house to testing equipment
This article was originally published on Engineeringtalk on 10 Feb 2003 at 8.00am (UK)
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A major part of the investment is the introduction of cold rolling technology for a width up to 2800mm.
Wide cold rolled coil can then be heat treated at the state-of-the-art coil annealing and processing line in the Duffel rolling mill.
This will enable Koblenz to supply wide aircraft sheet from coil feedstock, and widens Duffel's automotive body sheet range from 1700 to 2300mm.
Importantly, the investment will have substantial benefits for Corus's aluminium operations at Duffel in Belgium, which recently commissioned a new continuous annealing line with pretreatment (CAL-P) specifically designed for the process and production of high-quality aluminium coil for use in the automotive industry.
This investment will enhance Corus' position as a leading automotive body sheet supplier and is in response to the growing demand from vehicle manufacturers for aluminium for use in specific automotive applications in order to help reduce vehicle weight and hence fuel consumption.
Wider automotive body sheet, for example, is increasingly required by some carmakers for the production of vehicle roofs.
Corus currently supplies aluminium rolled products to Audi, BMW, Daimler, Land Rover, Michelin, Peugeot, Volkswagen and Volvo.
Engineering and construction for the project has started.
First benefits are expected during Q4 2004 and final completion by end-2005.
Gerhard Buddenbaum, Director Corus Aluminium Division, said: "This project is a strong signal to the automotive and aerospace markets.
The increased width capabilities and capacity increases, as well as new technology, will be welcomed by our customers.
It shows our long-term commitment to these demanding market sectors". Request free introductory details about products from Corus Automotive ...
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