Constellium & PyroGenesis Collaborate on Advancing Plasma Burner Tech for Aluminum Melting

Constellium made a significant announcement on April 10, 2024, unveiling a strategic collaboration with PyroGenesis Canada Inc. to test plasma torch technology, aligning seamlessly with Constellium's ongoing efforts towards decarbonization. After a series of successful laboratory trials, both companies have pledged to escalate the technology for industrial application, with plans to introduce a prototype plasma-heated furnace system in one of Constellium’s casthouses.

Plasma torch technology operates by initiating an electric arc that ionizes gas, resulting in the creation of highly heated plasma. This plasma boasts temperatures exceeding those achieved by conventional methods, offering a swifter, more efficient, and environmentally conscious alternative to traditional burners. PyroGenesis, a prominent player in the advanced plasma technologies arena, stands at the forefront of innovation in this domain.

Ludovic Piquier, Senior VP of Manufacturing Excellence and Chief Technical Officer at Constellium, emphasized the significance of exploring diverse pathways to enhance emissions reduction in aluminum casthouses. He highlighted the potential of plasma torch technology to slash direct emissions by threefold compared to current standards. Piquier expressed optimism following promising outcomes from recent laboratory trials with PyroGenesis, foreseeing significant strides in reducing the carbon footprint upon the technology's validation at a larger scale.

PyroGenesis CEO, P. Peter Pascali, conveyed his satisfaction in collaborating with Constellium's scientific team during the pivotal test campaign. He underscored the successful outcomes as the driving force behind advancing towards the implementation of a full-scale furnace at one of Constellium's casthouses. Pascali noted the growing inclination among heavy industry leaders towards embracing plasma solutions to align with global decarbonization objectives. As a preferred partner in this transition, PyroGenesis stands poised to support Constellium and other industry players in their quest for sustainable solutions.

Constellium, traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol CSTM, holds a distinguished position as a global industry leader. Specializing in innovative, value-added aluminum products, Constellium caters to a diverse array of markets, including aerospace, automotive, and packaging. With a revenue of €7.2 billion in 2023, Constellium continues to underscore its commitment to delivering cutting-edge solutions across various applications. Constellium's offerings play a pivotal role in our daily lives, contributing to a lighter, safer, and cleaner world. As the planet's third most abundant element, aluminum is indispensable in the 21st century, and Constellium leads the charge in harnessing its potential to create value-added solutions. The company designs, develops, and engineers products and solutions for diverse markets, collaborating closely with customers in North America and Europe. Additionally, Constellium is committed to sustainability, recycling aluminum products ranging from scrap to used beverage cans (UBCs) and boasting the capacity to recycle 32 billion cans annually.