First industrial production of aluminium using hydrogen combustion
Constellium has announced the successful completion of its first industrial-scale hydrogen casting at C-TEC, Constellium’s primary R&D center. This casting was performed in a 12-ton furnace following strict internal procedures. Quality monitoring, including the use of Batscan™ technology, an inclusion detection tool for molten aluminium, was conducted and no quality impact from hydrogen combustion on metal was observed.
“We are thrilled to announce the successful completion of our first industrial-scale hydrogen casting. This achievement marks a pivotal step in Constellium’s journey towards decarbonizing our industrial activities. Utilizing hydrogen as a substitute for natural gas not only demonstrates our commitment to sustainability but also paves the way for future innovations in green technologies,” said Ludovic Piquier, Senior VP, Manufacturing Excellence and Chief Technical Officer of Constellium.
The 12-ton aluminium slab produced using hydrogen will be further processed at our Neuf-Brisach site in France for use in electric vehicles. This milestone is significant in our roadmap towards decarbonizing our industrial activities, as we have begun exploring the performance of hydrogen as a substitute for natural gas at an industrial scale, provided that hydrogen is green, more accessible, and cost-effective for industrial applications.
Constellium is actively involved in various multi-stakeholder projects aimed at advancing hydrogen technologies for industrial decarbonization. One notable initiative is HyInHeat (“Hydrogen technologies for decarbonization of industrial heating processes”), a European Union-funded project exploring the substitution of natural gas with hydrogen in aluminium and steel transformation processes. In addition to its focus on hydrogen, Constellium is exploring alternative decarbonization technologies, including direct electrification solutions compatible with existing furnaces.
