Arconic Architectural Products, a leading manufacturer of prepainted aluminum for the construction industry, modernized the aluminum coil coating line at its facility in Merxheim, France, in response to increased energy costs and the implementation of the carbon tax in Europe. The upgraded line reduces energy consumption, which reduces costs and improves the environmental footprint of the plant.
The company contracted Fives to implement the modernization project, which included the replacement of two older curing ovens and cooling sections with new systems. The project was funded by ADEME, the French Agency for Ecological Transition, as part of the “France Relance” industrial decarbonization plan.
“We had the ambitious goal of finding a sustainable solution that would allow the plant to reduce its emissions and energy consumption,” said Antoine Higelé, project manager and lead of Energy Management at Arconic Architectural Products SAS. “Our target was to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 67% as part of the project. Thanks to Fives’ expertise and advanced technology, the results exceeded our expectations.”
As part of the modernization project, the existing thermal equipment was replaced with new technologies, including Stein ovens for primary and finish curing and new air cooler sections. A hot air injection system was also introduced to reduce energy consumption throughout the process. In addition, the robust design of the pre-assembled ovens facilitated handling inside the plant, which contributed to faster installation and less production downtime.
“We have a broad experience in designing curing ovens for coil coating lines for various metals and applications,” said Gustavo Guzman, chief executive officer of Fives Steel Spain, a Fives’ subsidiary specializing in thermal solutions. “Our team was actively involved in the pre-engineering phase to identify challenges and find a suitable solution, and we are very proud of the spectacular results in terms of energy efficiency and productivity.”
Arconic Architectural Products, part of part of Arconic Corporation’s global Building and Construction Systems division, is a leading manufacturer of composite material, pre-painted heavy-gauge aluminum, and bonded sheets for distinctive building façades. The company’s innovative products can be used across a variety of projects, including multi-use, public, education, retail and healthcare facilities. With manufacturing facilities in North America and Europe, Arconic Architectural Products serves the global market with finishes for bold building designs.
As part of its decarbonization strategy, Arconic Group is committed to a global approach to reduce its carbon footprint by 30% by 2030, compared to a 2021 baseline. This commitment is part of Arconic’s REAL initiative to make meaningful and responsible progress on key issues that benefit the planet, people, and products.