The EHS-manager from Amaray, explains the safety heat map concept to Atlas companies
Aludium Amorebieta also played host to a safety meeting for the seven Atlas companies in Zone 4: Aludium, Motus, ASG, Tecumseh International, Amaray, Iconex, and Phoenix International. The day was led by Alicante Plant Manager, Alberto Ruiz. Phil Schuch of Atlas Holdings, took part in the meeting to illustrate the importance the company attaches to safety.
Some of the Alicante workers who have worked at the mill for more than 40 years each
On 10 November 2017, Aludium held a celebration for 34 workers in Alicante who each celebrate four-decades of working for the company this year. Aludium Alicante was founded in 1955, and currently has a workforce of 440 people. More than 60 people working in Alicante now have over 40 years of service with the company, indicating the high degree of connection our people have with the plant.
The second edition of Safety Week took place from 23 to 27 October at all three Aludium plants. Events included safety workshops and activities as well as plant inspections by invited guests from local companies. During the week, Atlas Holdings also held a safety meeting for companies in its portfolio.
Aludium has launched a new link between its two mills in Amorebieta and Alicante. The link will utilise new mega-trucks, operated by XPO Logistics, which will cut emissions by more than 20 percent on this vital link between the two mills. The trucks will be used to transport aluminium coils from Amorebieta to Alicante. On the return leg, the trucks will carry scrap from Alicante back to Amorebieta where it is recycled to create new aluminium products.Martin has a strong background in setting up financial planning processes in international businesses. He joined Aludium recently from Cargill, Cocoa and Chocolate where he led the FP&A function for plant operations and supply chain. Prior to Cargill Martin has spent significant periods in his career working for Staples Europe, and Aalberts Industries. He started his career in Deloitte. Martin has a Master in Business Administration from the University of Groningen and trained as a CPA, he also has a Bachelor’s in Logistics management from the Logistics academy of Venlo.
Gert joined us recently from M&G group, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of flue gas venting and ventilation systems. Gert has also worked for SCA Hygiene, DSM Engineering Plastics and for Hoogovens Aluminium as finance manager of the Delfzijl smelter and controller of the metal risk management. Gert has a Master in Business Administration from the University of Groningen and a post-graduate degree as Executive Master of Finance and Control (Register Controller) from the University of Amsterdam.
Aludium Alicante has recently unveiled a new meeting and conference room space with stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea. The conference room can accommodate about 90 people, while the two meeting rooms offer space for gatherings of up to 10 or 16 people.
Each of the rooms is fitted with the latest audio, video, and conferencing tools. This will be used to connect with personnel at Aludium’s other mills, and the sales and support staff located across Europe. The new meeting rooms will also be used for guests and customers visiting the Alicante plant and Aludium’s Cindal R&D centre.
Aludium’s new Alicante visitors centre featured in Plataforma Arquitectura, the world’s leading Spanish-language architecture website.
The UPV design uses top levitation to improve energy efficiency and increase the stability of the pod
Aludium is sponsoring a team of students from the Polytechnic University of Valencia (UPV) who are building a prototype for the global Hyperloop project. The team developed the concepts for a hyperloop pod and its propulsion system during 2016 and presented them during the Hyperloop event held in the United States during January 2017. The UPV team won the Top Design Concept and Best Propulsion Subsystem awards for its design.
The UPV team will present their prototype to the Hyperloop panel in the autumn of 2017. Aludium is providing the team with aluminium and technical advice through the Aludium Transportation Centre. The Centre, a part of Aludium’s Cindal R&D facility, is led by Dr Antonio Quereda who will manage Aludium’s cooperation with the UPV team.
Hyperloop aims to develop a transportation system for people and cargo which does not require fossil fuels. Instead, pods containing people or goods are transported at very high speed (up to 1,000 kilometres per hour) through a vacuum tube. As there is no friction, the pods only require energy during the acceleration and braking phases of their journey. Hyperloop is the brainchild of Elon Musk, the founder of Tesla and the SpaceX reusable rocket system.
UPV’s design levitates the pod from the top of the tube which is more energy efficient and increases stability. UPV was the only team to propose the top-levitation model. The team, which has grown from five members to 30 since January, will create a prototype pod which is two-metres long and 1.5 metres high.
For more information about Hyperloop visit: https://hyperloop-one.com/
The Bizkaia vehicle undergoes dynamic testing
Aludium’s strategic decision to invest more in technical universities has seen the company sign a two-year sponsorship deal with the Bizkaia Formula Student team from the Engineering School of Bilbao, belonging to the University of the Basque Country (EHU-UPV). The agreement will see the Bizkaia team utilise Aludium’s technical advice for many applications of their vehicle.
Formula Student began in the early 1980s as a competition for engineering students. Teams from different universities and engineering schools prepare a car which then takes part in both stationery (static) tests and dynamic racing events. Static tests measure the application of design principles, and the business plan and costings for the theoretical production of 1,000 vehicles. Dynamic tests measure the car’s endurance, fuel-efficiency, and acceleration. Recently the competition has focussed on electric powertrains.
Since 2007, the main Formula Student event has been held at the Silverstone Grand Prix circuit in the United Kingdom. Events also take place in other European countries, including at the Montmeló circuit in Spain. In 2016, more than 130 teams took part, involving over 3,000 students from disciplines including mechanical and electrical engineering, business, and communications.
The Bizkaia team includes a multidisciplinary team of more than 45 students. The project gives them a hands-on opportunity to learn how to develop a complete project from design to marketing, and production.
Aludium is a platinum sponsor of the Bizkaia team in the 2017 and 2018 Formula Student events. We will provide the Bizkaia team with technical support and help them to utilise aluminium to reduce weight – a critical aspect of the Formula Student competition. The inclusion of aluminium in multi-material parts will also be studied. The project will be supported by the R&D team at the Aludium Transportation Centre under the guidance of Dr Antonio Quereda. The Aludium team will also be on hand to support Bizkaia at the events at Silverstone and Montmeló.
Aludium is very pleased to be able to co-engineer with the Engineering School of Bilbao and the Bizkaia team on the Formula Student project. The skills that the team members will develop through the project will have a huge impact on their future careers and the local area.
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In April, Aludium’s application for membership of the European Aluminium Association (EAA) was approved. With over 80 members across Europe, EAA represents the entire aluminium value chain including primary aluminium producers, rollers, extruders, and recycling facilities. “Our membership of EAA is a way for Aludium to ensure we are completely up-to- date on issues facing the aluminium industry,” notes Manuel Ruano, COO. “That includes unique European topics such as REACH, and directives affecting the environment, health, and safety. Membership will also give Aludium a voice in shaping the future of the aluminium industry in Europe.”
