Inalum orders HE Batch Homogenizing Plant for their upcoming extrusion project

PT Indonesia Asahan Aluminium (Inalum), located in North Sumatra, Indonesia, has placed an order with Hertwich Engineering for the supply of a Batch Homogenizing plant including auxiliary equipment.

In the context of its strategic aims, Inalum intends to broaden its product range. The Japanese-Indonesian Joint Venture founded in the 1970s (and since 2013 the Indonesian Government has been the sole owner) operates on the basis of a hydroelectric power station (which they own) and an aluminium smelter, which has up until now specialised in the production of pure aluminium ingots of the 99.90 per cent and 99.70 per cent grades.

In future the range of products supplied is to be extended to continuously cast extrusion billets. For this, the company has awarded Hertwich the contract for supplying the necessary equipment. The scope of supply includes a vertical continuous-casting machine and a complete batch homogenizing furnace together with saw and packing system.

In this first expansion stage Inalum decided for a batch furnace, which will provide the company with the necessary flexibility during the step-by-step enlargement of the product range. Ultimately it was decided to use the modernised furnace concept by Hertwich. The new furnace unit, with a capacity of 40,000 tonnes per year, will be integrated with the existing foundry where it will replace ingot casting lines. Molten metal will be supplied by the existing casting furnace.