John Courtenay, the Chairman of MQP and CEO of MQP International Ltd, is a global leader in the development, manufacture and application of grain refinement products used in the production of aluminium alloys. His business career started with joining Foseco International in 1968. He shares through his interview for AL Circle ‘Aluminium Industry: Focus Europe’ e-magazine about the diverse experience MQP has had, having the opportunity to work in the European market

AL Circle: What challenges do you encounter while you cater to the European market?

John Courtenay: One of our biggest challenges is growing beyond our existing customer base in Europe. We must circumnavigate some restrictive factors, one being that, since the pandemic, central research and development departments have not necessarily had the resources to trial new products to make wider efficiencies in the future.

Also, in the European market, there is a very specific qualification process for suppliers. Europe is dominated by hi-tech sectors such as aerospace and if you are making alloys for high tensile wing spars, for example, you will have to go through this qualification process, very much led by their customer, to make even minor changes. Casthouses are interested in Optifine, but often can’t progress qualification trials. We have seen, however, a clear uptick in casthouses’ commitment to acting and trialling our grain refiners and working with European operators to progress trials is something we are looking closely at.

To explore the full interview and gain deeper insights into the global aluminium market and how Quaker Houghton is contributing to its growth, click here.