The aluminium factory in Duffel is under the drive of the new owner Alvance for a major investment program, perhaps even 300 million euros. Alvance Aluminium Duffel said: "Tesla is building a car factory in Germany, and it wants our aluminium."
Geert Vannuffelen, Vice President Operations, Alvance Aluminium Duffel, said: “Large blocks of aluminium are waiting at the factory in Duffel to be rolled into plates and coils. Half of that aluminium ends up in cars. Think of the bonnet, trunk lids and doors.”
“Duffel's aluminium is also used in heating pipes, truck fuel tanks, travel cases and buildings. The Ferrari World indoor amusement park in Abu Dhabi is an example. That has a red roof of about 80 football fields with our aluminium and the Ferrari logo, which in itself is a big football field.”
Aluminium is mainly on the rise in the automotive industry. It is lighter than steel and offers more design options. An average car in Europe contains 180 kilos of aluminium. According to studies, this will increase to 200 kilos in 2025. In the car models in the higher price range - which Alvance is aiming for - it already rises to 500 kilos, and even 800 kilos for the Audi e-Tron.
The Duffel factory would supply aluminium components for Audi, Porsche, BMW, Daimler and Volvo cars. Soon the site will register Tesla as a customer. “We have just been qualified by Tesla. It is building a factory in Germany and wants our aluminium, 'says Vannuffelen.
This contract is in line with the growth plans of the new owner, Alvance, who recently took over the plant from the American aluminium company Novelis.
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