An Interview with Dr. Anthony Tropeano, an industry consultant and Senior Advisor, Foundry Ecocer

A well-known and respected Aluminium Industry figure Dr. Anthony Tropeano, in this interview, talks about his latest venture into consultancy with Milan-based Foundry Ecocer.

Q: Thank you for agreeing to speak with us. Firstly, can you refresh our memories regarding your background in the Aluminium Industry?

Dr. Tropeano:  After 38 successful years in the ferrous and non-ferrous industries, I decided to retire from FATA SpA. I joined FATA in 1994, and since then have held a number of executive positions within the company. For many years I successfully led FATA's two operating divisions, FATA Hunter (world leader in engineering and equipment manufacturing for the aluminium flat rolled product industries) and FATAEPC (supplier of complete plants on a LSTK-EPC basis), as Chief Executive Officer. I was appointed Chief Executive Officer of FATA S.p.A. in 2016. Prior to joining FATA, I was Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Italimpianti of America, Inc. in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. I was educated at the Jersey City State College and at the Farleigh Dickinson University where I received my MBA. During my career I belonged to various associations including TMS, ECCA,AISE, NCCA and was on the Board of Directors and one of the founding members of EU Metallurgy, an Association located in Brussels.

In February 2018, I set up my own company, TT Consulting Inc., providing management consulting services for metals, mining and contracting sectors.  At present I am acting partially as a Senior Advisor at Foundry Ecocer, an Italian company active in the production and marketing of products and consumables for the non-ferrous foundries and secondary producers worldwide.

Q: Before we talk specifically about the new venture, can you give some thoughts and insights into how you see the future of aluminium and perhaps some other non­ ferrous metals?

Dr. Tropeano: In my opinion both the Aluminium Industry and also some of the other non-ferrous metals are experiencing a dynamic growth as we further develop new products, materials and applications for the industry. In particular the automotive and aerospace sector will continue to grow and this will offer new opportunities for the industry.

Q: Which sectors and foundry­ based technologies are coming to the  front as new applications appear and materials requirements for many end-uses evolve?

Dr. Tropeano: Foundry Ecocer is developing better products to reduce dross, reduce oxidation, improve yields, and clean and refine the alloys. Further they have a complement of low density ceramics which reduce thermal dispersion in casting lines and various types of Degassing systems. Foundry Ecocer is also focusing on new products development for the industry.

Q: You have an admirable industry record and unrivalled knowledge. What circumstances led to the link-up with Foundry Ecocer coming to fruition?

Dr. Tropeano: After a 45 year career, including 38 years in the Ferrous and Non Ferrous Industry with extensive worldwide travel, retirement creates stress and fatigue to your system, therefore I have decided to do some limited Consulting to the industry and balance the time between leisure and work.

I have selected Foundry Ecocer because of my personal friendship with the owner Mr. Sala and to the fact that the company is growing and has excellent ideas to further develop products and materials.

Q: What can you tell us about your aims and objectives in this new association?

Dr. Tropeano: The objective is the further strengthen the organisation, to diversify the client base and to open new markets worldwide, while at the same time developing new technologies and products.

Q: Can you explain what this could mean in real terms for Foundry Ecocer customers, perhaps with some examples?

Dr. Tropeano: The focus will continue to be to diversify the client base and to develop with the existing and new clients a long term cooperative relationship and a strong partnership.

(The interview is republished in AlCircle in collaboration with Aluminium Times. Foundry Ecocer S.r.l.  is the holding company, whilst the Nuova Protecme S.r.l.  brand is highly respected and recognised all over the world. The range of products is applicable in areas from smelting operations to high pressure and low pressure die casting and permanent mould casting, with products for aluminium, brass, magnesium, tin and zinc applications.)