“Our equipment has state-of-the-art technology, from high-efficiency melting systems to energy recuperators that we sometimes use to heat and clean scrap.” Julio Quintero, Business Development Manager at HORMESA, Hornos y Metales S.A.

AlCircle: Please share your innovations and trendsetting case studies on nonferrous foundry equipment, especially aluminium.

Julio Quintero: Our studies on the current economy and trends in the aluminium industry are directly focused on three aspects.

1. Increased aluminium recovery efficiencies reaching up to 98% melting efficiency with our current technologies
2. Management and treatment of scrap. We believe that good practices are the basis of good efficiency.
3. Energy recovery systems to make processes and companies more efficient. Our goal is to put our customer forefront of the future economy

AlCircle: What is the reason you think your turnkey projects are highly specialized? In your opinion, what was their USP?

Julio Quintero: Our approach to the market and our customers is totally disruptive. We do not focus ourselves just on selling equipment, our focus is directly on the process, and how to make it as efficient as possible; because of this, we have defined a structure of integration of experts where we recognize the value of each speciality, with this approach we can provide customized solutions according to each customer needs.

The way we do it:

1. We focus on the client's needs and customize the solution according to their actual needs. (We do not have standards, we do everything customized)
2. We know that no one can do everything alone, which is why we integrate different experts and companies, including some competitors, to provide our customers with the most efficient solutions on the market. It is not the equipment that makes a good solution; it is the people and their experience that manage to take the solutions to another level.
3. We understand that many times what the client wants and what they really need are different. Therefore, we work hand in hand with the client, making them our partners in each project; remember, our interest is not to sell equipment, it is to make our clients grow, and the only way to do it is to work side by side on each project. We are partners of our clients, not suppliers.

Our USP is simple: we are not suppliers, we are resources for our clients, and we have the same goals in each project, and our goal is to help them grow but walk the path of growth together.

AlCircle: How has Hormesa been able to break into the aluminium industry with its smelting furnaces? Is it equipped with state-of-the-art technology?

Julio Quintero: Our equipment has state-of-the-art technology, from high-efficiency melting systems to energy recuperators that we sometimes use to heat and clean scrap or even to heat up our clients' buildings. We take the fumes generated in the melting process and pass them through specific systems that allow us to clean them and play with the temperature according to the use that will be given to them)

However, our success is not in the technology but in our support and camaraderie with our customers/partners. We understand the process. This is why we can create the perfect solution.

AlCircle: Can you please share the details with us more about your ‘Salt Slag Recycling Solution’ projects?

Julio Quintero: First, we need to understand that our solutions are focused on not generating this type of by-product. This is why we have developed technologies that allow us to have the highest efficiencies in terms of aluminium recovery during the melting process.

However, the generation of "Salt Slag" is a reality, and that is why our salt slag recovery process aims to give the companies we are working with that generate between 5,000 and 10,000 Salt Slag a year, to have their recycling system, granting them two things, first, aluminium recoveries between 3 to 5 per cent on the Salt Slag and second, a complete separation of the salt which can be reused in their process, for this we have focused on high-quality technologies that, in addition to being influenced by the circular economy, seeks to contribute to this industry ecologically, avoiding the poor disposal of these products, increasing the aluminium recoveries and last but not least, avoiding the use of land fields or third parties for recycling, with this, we are contributing not just to the industry but to the sustainability of the planet.

AlCircle: What are the new technologies Hormesa is planning to implement in its future endeavours?

Julio Quintero: We are working on several different approaches to making recycling processes more efficient. Now we are very focused on energy recovery systems, high-efficiency melting systems and systems that add value to finished products, such as ultrasonic degassers, close loop systems that allow the use of every product and by-product that is generated in the metal transformation processes, the idea is to enter the next economic era with a totally sustainable and green proposal that helps future generations to keep the planet alive without losing sight of production efficiency