Amafond’s Maurizio Sala discusses Metef Exhibition and India connection with Indian Commerce & Industry Minister

<p>Maurizio Sala, owner of Foundry Ecocer Srl and Protecme Srl and President of the Confindustria Amafond underlines the important presence of India at the next edition of METEF, the largest light and non-ferrous metals expo in the SEMEA area (Southern Europe, Middle East, and Africa). In a recent meeting in Rome with Nirmala Sitharaman, India&rsquo;s Minister of Commerce &amp; Industry, Sala underlined the importance of cooperation between Italy and India in the area of aluminum. Sala, at the presence of Indian Ambassador Anil Wadhwa, noted that prestigious Indian companies operating within Aluminium Association of India, such as Aditya Birla, Novelis, Vedanta, Hindalco, and Nalco, are now our partners at various levels. But, he added that it would be especially in the sectors of technology transfer and smart cities that India will be able to take advantage of Italian experience, which is the best in Europe in terms of the number of companies and patents in the aluminum sector.</p> <p>Maurizio Sala would represent his company and the products and services at METEF &ndash; the major international exhibition regarding the foundry industry and related sectors: extrusion, rolling, machining and the associated engineering &ndash; which will take place in Verona from 21 to 24 June 2017.</p> <p style="text-align: center;"><img style="vertical-align: middle;" src="http://www.alcircle.com/uploads/images/NIRMALA%20OK.jpg" alt="News" width="517" height="226" /></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Here is an excerpt from a brief interview with the entrepreneur:</p> <p><strong>Question: How do your companies Protecme and Foundry Ecocer approach the industry?</strong></p> <p><strong>Maurizio Sala:</strong> We are leaders in the field of non-ferrous foundries as it relates to all chemical additives to be added to metals in order to improve their mechanical characteristics in general. Our company is not only about sales, we truly consider ourselves a partner to our customers, in the sense that we have developed consulting to improve the quality of the finished product with a focus on ecology inside and outside of the foundry itself.</p> <p><strong>Question: You&rsquo;ve currently announced the creation of a single company, Foundry Ecocer. Will you tell us about this transition?</strong></p> <p><strong>Maurizio Sala:</strong> Protecme, which was founded in 1942, is a historic company in the aluminum sector. It was one of the first Italian companies to produce fluxes for foundries. Now, with the merger of Protecme, Foundry Ecocer becomes the leading European company in the sector, especially due to its specialization in the production of granules, coatings, lubricants, master alloys, as well as industry-specific ceramics and equipment.</p> <p><strong>Question: What are the primary functions of the granules?</strong></p> <p><strong>Maurizio Sala:</strong> They have two functions: one technical and one ecological. We use granulated flux ergonomically: by using our machines it is possible for the flux to be insufflated from below the aluminum bath in a way that triggers a reaction that affects 100% of the molten alloy bath, rather than only the upper portion as with traditional methods.</p> <p>This function benefits the factory as well as safety and quality. Granulated flux both limits dust emissions and reduces the amount of flux used: a benefit for the environment and a significant and evident improvement in the metal&rsquo;s characteristics.</p> <p><strong>Question: Is Foundry Ecocer transforming the field of nonferrous metals? </strong></p> <p><strong>Maurizio Sala:</strong> Certainly, but only to the extent that we are in synergy with our customers. We have ongoing investments and we are moving ahead with 4 patents covering 4 products related to metal treatment, available in capsules, in tablets, or granulated. We are also working towards enhancing the brand, in a way that it will be recognized at the European level for our new line of granulated products for large furnaces and major foundries.</p> <p>The name that we're launching is QUICKFLUX, which is already a brand. The word Quick refers to the immediacy of treatment, which is one of the key factors in the foundry industry.</p> <p><strong>Question: Does your company also bring know-how in addition to chemicals?</strong></p> <p><strong>Maurizio Sala: </strong>The chemicals would not be very effective without know-how: our technical team and our research and development team are working in synergy every day to enhance industry knowledge. Without know-how you couldn&rsquo;t cope with new applications or promote the change of entrenched habits. Our commitment targets die casting, but especially rolling, extrusion, and continuous casting.</p> <p><strong>Question: What are Amafond&rsquo;s priorities in relation to the international markets, in light of the meetings that were held with the American and other delegations?</strong></p> <p><strong>Maurizio Sala: </strong>In the meeting we had with the delegation of 15 of the USA&rsquo;s most important companies in the die-casting industry, we talked about aluminum. Italy is the second-largest producer of manufactured goods in Europe, not far from Germany. In fact, out of the 4 million tons of aluminum produced in Europe, more than half come from Germany and Italy.</p> <p>The Italian production is at a level with a great deal of added value: in terms of aluminum, the significant part of the industry consists of high-pressure die casting.<br /> Right now the average Italian car contains about 100 kg of die-cast metal, and it is expected that by 2025 that will increase to 180 kg produced through the processes of high- and low-pressure die casting. <br /> In addition to metal from die-casting plants, there is also what is derived from extrusion and rolling.<br /> In the non-ferrous metals sector, in general application in the automotive industry, in addition to aluminum there are other elements such as magnesium, which is extremely important and very valuable, and also zinc.</p> <p><strong>Question: Why are we obligated, in the positive sense, to work with the Arab countries?</strong></p> <p><strong>Maurizio Sala: </strong>Because Italy is marketing-oriented. As for the primary sector market &ndash; which is the production of pure aluminum by electrolysis (smelters) &ndash; right now 5 million tons are being produced in the Gulf area, and it will very quickly increase to 7 million tons. Therefore, there is no alternative; this is the way. <br /> In Europe there are no more raw materials: not in Italy, not in France, in Germany there is a little bit; basically, this is only a real factor in Northern Europe. We need the raw material and we have no choice but to go and buy it where they have it; and the major production is happening in the Gulf.</p> <p>{googleAdsense}</p> <p><strong>Question: So, do you see a strategic alliance between the two markets and do you see the Italian and European market using more aluminum from Gulf? And from the other side, what can we offer in return to the <strong>Gulf</strong>&nbsp;and the Eastern countries like India?</strong></p> <p><strong>Maurizio Sala: </strong>Strategically, the Gulf area is crucial for purchasing primary aluminum. For the mentioned reasons, I would like to add that it is economically more profitable to use oil to produce electricity and the energy-intensive aluminum. It is also quite interesting that the Gulf region needs many Italian products with high added value such as subways, hospitals, infrastructure, and tools; sectors in which we are leaders. But the future of our cooperation is also focused on Indian hubs like Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai.</p> <p><em>Disclaimer: &ldquo;The information presented herein is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional advice. The views and opinions shared in the interview section of www.alcircle.com are unique to the interviewees and do not necessarily reflect the viewpoint of www.alcircle.com."</em></p> <p>&nbsp;</p>