TECH TRAK Novelis’ Fusion technology is off to a lightning-fast start

Jul 01, 2007 | 10:50 AM |

Roughly a year after Novelis Inc. introduced its Fusion technology, the new process for simultaneously casting multiple alloy layers into a single aluminum ingot is making headway.

The company doubled the number of customers to more than 50 in North America and Europe from 25 at Fusion's debut, according to Roland Harings, vice president of global Fusion business and general manager of the company's Sierre, Switzerland, facility, the second location to get Fusion technology after Novelis' Oswego, N.Y., plant.

Some customers have more than one project in development, giving Novelis more than 200 current Fusion projects, Harings said. Some 75 of those projects are in North America, according to Lloyd "Buddy" Stemple, vice president and general manager of the company's North American Specialty Products Group.

"It's really interesting how quickly Fusion technology was appreciated in the marketplace," Harings said. "The number of customers and products grew more quickly than we expected.

"Some customers quickly see the advantages of the new materials, sometimes more quickly than we do," Harings said. "In the past, they have had to trade off properties for performance. Now they have more options."....