Constellium SE announced the successful completion of its inaugural industrial-scale hydrogen casting at C-TEC, the company's main R&D centre. The casting was conducted in a 12-tonne furnace, adhering to stringent internal protocols. Quality monitoring included the use of Batscan™ technology, an inclusion detection tool for molten aluminium, and no quality impact from hydrogen combustion on the metal was observed.
“The 12-tonne aluminium slab produced using hydrogen will be further processed at our Neuf-Brisach site in France for use in electric vehicles. This milestone is significant in our roadmap towards decarbonising our industrial activities, as we have begun exploring the performance of hydrogen as a substitute for natural gas at an industrial scale, provided that hydrogen is green, more accessible, and cost-effective for industrial applications,” added the company.
Constellium is actively engaged in multiple multi-stakeholder projects to advance hydrogen technologies for industrial decarbonisation. A prominent initiative is HyInHeat ("Hydrogen Technologies for Decarbonisation of Industrial Heating Processes"). This European Union-funded project explores replacing natural gas with hydrogen in aluminium and steel transformation processes. Beyond hydrogen, Constellium is also investigating alternative decarbonisation technologies, including direct electrification solutions compatible with existing furnaces.
"We are thrilled to announce the successful completion of our first industrial-scale hydrogen casting. This achievement marks a pivotal step in Constellium's journey towards decarbonising our industrial activities. Utilising hydrogen as a substitute for natural gas not only demonstrates our commitment to sustainability but also paves the way for future innovations in green technologies," said Ludovic Piquier, Senior VP, Manufacturing Excellence and Chief Technical Officer of Constellium.
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