Alcoa to split into two companies
Struggling Aluminum maker Alcoa Inc. said Monday that it would split into two publicly traded companies next year, joining the recent wave of companies looking to spur growth by breaking up. Alcoa said its upstream company, which will keep the Alcoa name, will include its bauxite-mining, alumina-refining and aluminum-production businesses. The company would have had revenues of $13.2 billion in the year ended June 30.
Ford, Alcoa collaborate on next-gen aluminum alloys to replace steel
Ford Motor Company and Alcoa Inc. are collaborating to produce next-generation automotive aluminum alloys that are more formable and design-friendly. Ford will use Alcoa’s Micromill material in multiple components on the 2016 F-15—becoming the first automaker to use the advanced automotive aluminum commercially. The companies entered into a joint development agreement to collaborate on next-generation aluminum alloys for automotive parts using Micromill technology.
PPG lifts force majeure for glass in western US, Canada
PPG Industries announced that it has restored normal operations at its Fresno, Calif., glass manufacturing facility and lifted the force majeure on architectural, residential, and specialty glass products for customers located in the western U.S and western Canada. The company also announced plans to invest $20 million in upgrades for the Fresno facility, which will begin in January 2016. PPG plans to rebuild the glass tank and enhance other manufacturing equipment at the plant.
Alcoa to curtail remaining Suralco refining capacity
Lightweight metals leader Alcoa announced the curtailment of Suralco’s remaining 887,000 metric tons per year of alumina refining capacity as discussions continue with the Government of Suriname on preserving the country’s bauxite and refining industry. The refinery is scheduled to be idled by Nov. 30, 2015. The curtailment and ongoing discussions are aligned with Alcoa’s strategy to create a globally competitive commodity business.
Deltech Furnaces introduces tutorial videos
Deltech Furnaces announced that six tutorial videos covering heating element installation and replacement can be accessed from its recently upgraded website and from its YouTube channel. There are universal methods of installing, anchoring, and removing heating elements, so Deltech believes the videos will be of benefit to anyone with a high-temperature furnace that uses molydisilicide elements, regardless of the furnace brand or model.
Kason Corp. acquires Kek-Gardner Ltd.
Kason Corp., a U.S.-based manufacturer of screening, sifting and fluid bed processing equipment, has acquired Kek-Gardner Ltd., a U.K.-based manufacturer of sifting, mixing and size reduction equipment, Kason CEO Jonathan Weiner announced. George Tunnicliffe, former managing director of Kek-Gardner, will become managing director of Kason Europe. Henry Alamzad will continue as Kason’s president and head of global sales and marketing.
Tesla secures lithium deal from Nevada site
Tesla Motors could be acquiring lithium closer to home after the company secured a supply deal from a location just a few hours away from its gigafactory site in Nevada. Vancouver-based Pure Energy Minerals announced that it finalized an agreement with Tesla to potentially supply the company with lithium hydroxide for use in its batteries.
Ipsen Ceramics enhances customer support with new website
Ipsen Ceramics, a recognized world leader in the design, development and manufacturing of technical ceramics, recently launched a new, redesigned version of its website. With an updated, simplified look and the latest information on ceramics and custom toll firing, the new website provides customers with enhanced support, as well as a more engaging user experience.
Raytheon awarded $87M contract for Standard Missile-3 Blocks IIAs
Raytheon announced that it has received an $87 million award from the U.S. Department of Defense’s Missile Defense Agency for long-lead materials needed to produce as many as 17 Standard Missile-3 (SM-3) Block IIAs. The SM-3s IIAs will be used for testing and initial deployment as part of a cooperative effort between the U.S. and Japan, with the deployment slated for 2018 in Poland and/or Romania.
Small businesses invited to participate in DOE national lab vouchers pilot
NREL is a participating lab in the U.S. DOE’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Small Business Vouchers Pilot, which matches clean energy small businesses with experts from NREL and other DOE national laboratories. The pilot provides businesses vouchers valued at $50,000 to $300,000 that can be exchanged for technical assistance from participating national labs. Support from NREL can range from six weeks to one year of assistance.
Air Products announces intent to spin-off Materials Technologies business
Air Products announced that its Board of Directors has approved the intention to fully separate its Materials Technologies business via a tax-free spin-off to its shareholders. The targeted completion of the Materials Technologies spin-off is before September 2016, subject to typical regulatory approvals. This strategic decision will allow Air Products’ Industrial Gases and the Materials Technologies businesses to leverage their respective critical competencies and enhance their competitive positions.