Lotte Aluminium Materials USA LLC and SMS group have joined forces in a strategic partnership to revolutionise the production of ultra-thin aluminium cathode foils for electric vehicle batteries. This collaboration, anchored in the heart of Elizabethtown, Kentucky, USA, signifies a pivotal moment in the aluminium industry, poised to meet the surging demand for electric vehicles.
The collaboration capitalises on state-of-the-art technologies the SMS group provides, primarily focusing on digitalisation to enhance efficiency, quality, and customisation in the manufacturing process.
Key Technological Advancements
Lotte's ambitious goal is to produce 36,000 tons of cathode foils annually, responding adeptly to the growing demand in the electric vehicle market.
The advanced digitalisation package encompasses the SMS group's cutting-edge DataFactory Suite, the Manufacturing Execution Suite (MES), and the Quality Execution Suite (QES). These technologies seamlessly integrate into Lotte's production process, offering real-time data collection, automatic execution of production processes, and pass-based quality evaluation and certification.
Logistics Integration and Customisation
The project involves the integration of six cold rolling mills, four slitting lines from a third-party supplier, and an AMOVA high-bay storage system. The high-bay storage system, equipped with warehouse management software, establishes a direct link to the MES, ensuring efficient logistics throughout the plant. Furthermore, the digital package is fully customisable to meet Lotte's specific production requirements, incorporating operation-supporting functions and allowing remote access and control possibilities.
Quality Assurance and Long-Term Analysis
SMS group's MES enables pass-level production sequencing and intralogistics control, while the QES ensures genealogy tracking and time-length mapping from the first pass to the final product. The inclusion of multiple third-party surface inspection systems improves the quality-related data, automating the quality decision-making process and ensuring the certification of each coil's quality. Long-term data storage in the DataFactory Suite facilitates process-oriented analyses, preventing production failures.
Global Collaboration and Future Prospects
A global SMS team, supported by a local project management office in the US, ensures effective communication and swift issue resolution. SMS group's commitment extends beyond the initial collaboration, as they will provide ongoing support through a software maintenance contract, ensuring continuous secure operations and technological advancements.
Contributing to enhancing the future of aluminium foil production
This strategic partnership between Lotte Aluminium Materials USA and SMS group represents a significant milestone in the aluminium foil production industry. The amalgamation of metallurgical expertise and digitalisation capabilities promises unparalleled quality, efficiency, and customisation in the electric vehicle battery manufacturing landscape.
As Lotte CEO Eun Seong Chang states, this collaboration significantly contributes to shaping the future of aluminium foil production and reinforces the commitment to reducing global carbon emissions.
"With SMS group, we have the right partner for our business in the sensitive aluminium industry. They impressed us with a digital package that also seamlessly integrates third-party equipment for the greenfield production of ultra-thin aluminium cathode foils for electric vehicle batteries. SMS group combines longstanding metallurgical and operational know-how with digitalisation expertise – these strong competencies support us immensely on our road to enhancing aluminium foil production. Our strategic partnership contributes significantly to shaping the electric vehicle battery manufacturing landscape," the CEO explained.
The Executive Vice President of CoE, SMS digital, Dr Thiago Turchetti Maia, implied: "This predictive approach is an example of the commitment to staying at the forefront of technological advancement in the aluminium industry and ensuring long-term success by also contributing to the reduction of global carbon emissions."
If you wish to have a profound understanding of the aluminium value chain, go ahead and book AL Circle's special report, Global Aluminium Industry Outlook 2024.
Responses
