His research  paper illustrated the role of refractories in steel making, which constitutes up to 80% of industrial use, particularly in secondary metallurgy where performance under demanding conditions is required.

Characteristics such as high purity alumina and operational cost considerations beyond initial purchase and installation, impact overall production efficiency and safety as these factors play a crucial role in optimizing steel making processes. 

The 2024 edition of the SEAISI conference once again served as a dynamic hub for exploring the future of steel through sustainable practices and smart technologies. We thank all the experts and industry leaders for their valuable contributions during this three-day event.

The seminar will focus on key topics such as trends in clean steel technology, refractory requirements and innovations, and will be attended by top steel producers Salzgitter Flachstahl GmbH and Thyssenkrupp Steel, followed by a plant tour.

Speaking of the innovative solutions in steelmaking, check out our Tabular Alumina ECO-TAB® with significant sustainable advantage. This advanced sintered alpha alumina refractory aggregate has been developed primarily with steel and foundry ladles in mind, offering energy savings, high wear resistance and reduced material consumption to improve the efficiency and sustainability of industrial processes.

To learn more about how energy savings are possible in each step of metals manufacture, download our Product Data Sheet: ECO-TAB®

青岛经济技术开发的上万家企业当中，安迈铝业成为100个受到表彰的企业之一，源于对当地经济、环保等各方面持续地突出贡献。

山东自贸区青岛片区将竭力为青岛的企业提供更为优质的服务，以此来引进更多、更优质的投资，同时创造更有利于企业发展的自贸区营商环境。

Recently, Almatis Qingdao won two consecutive awards from the local government on February 27 and March 5 respectively, "2023 Unit with Outstanding Contribution to the Real Economy" and "2023 Ivy League Enterprise Award".

Among the tens of thousands of companies involved in Qingdao's economic and technological development, Almatis Qingdao became one of the 100 companies commended for its continued outstanding contributions to the local economy, environmental protection and other aspects.

The Qingdao Area of Shandong Free Trade Zone will strive to provide better services to enterprises in Qingdao, so as to introduce more and better investment, and at the same time create a free trade zone business environment that is more conducive to the development of enterprises.

About Qingdao Almatis

Qingdao Almatis Co. Ltd. is located in Qingdao Trade and Economic development zone in the port city of Qingdao. It consists of two plants making calcine and tabular alumina respectively.  The first phase in the tabular plant was established in 1998 to process imported CD and calcined alumina. After a US$18 million expansion investment in Phase II, which included two new tabular converters and a completely new Tabular CD processing line, the facility is now a state-of-the art, fully integrated production line for the manufacture of Tabular Alumina. Responding to the rising market demand in Asia, Almatis then invested over US$ 40 million into a second China plant, the Phase III project, which first started manufacturing calcined alumina products in 2012. Qingdao Almatis is now capable of producing and supplying its customers in mainland China and South East Asia very timely and efficiently with the expected quantity and quality of specialty alumina products.

Almatis, an OYAK Group Company and world leading supplier of specialty alumina products and solutions, is investing in a new calcined alumina production facility in the Qingdao Economic and Technological Development Zone of China. This facility will double Almatis' production capacity in China, enhancing the company's competitiveness and market share in Asia. 

From left to right: Mr. Fan Qizhi, Director of the Qingdao Municipal Foreign Affairs Office, Mr. Wang Zhijun, Director of the Qingdao Municipal Bureau of Commerce, Mr. Li Hucheng, Secretary General of the Qingdao Municipal Government, Mr. Zhao Haozhi, Mayor & Deputy Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee, Mr. Anil Sönmez, Almatis Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Charles Compson, Almatis Chief Commercial Officer, Mr. Alessio Scarsella, Almatis Chief Operations Officer, Mr. Wang Feng, Almatis Director Sales Refractories & Ceramics, Polishing & Other Specialties China Front, from left to right: Ms. Yuan Yingchun, Deputy Director of the Administrative Committee of Qingdao Economic & Technological Development Zone, Ms. Gözde Diner, Almatis

During the visit of the representatives from Qingdao Economic and Technological Development Zone of China at the Almatis Head Office in Frankfurt on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, the two parties have signed a memorandum of understanding for the project that will greatly benefit both Almatis and the Qingdao Economic and Technological Development Zone of China.

The new facility will double Almatis' existing calcined alumina production capacity, facilitating growth in key markets such as semiconductor structural components, consumer electronics, thermal management devices, and electric vehicles. This groundbreaking project will take on supply chain challenges head on by procuring raw materials locally, responding to demand rapidly and adequately, and ensuring efficient and profitable operations.

A strategic move from Almatis

Construction of the new facility is scheduled to begin in the last quarter of 2024, with commissioning planned for early 2026. With the introduction of a new calcination furnace and grinding technology Almatis will expand its product portfolio to better service its customers’ increasing demands in technical ceramics, chip, and electric vehicle industries across the entire Asian region.

Contributing to the development of the Qingdao Economic and Technological Development Zone

The new calcined alumina facility will be in the Qingdao Economic and Technological Development Zone, where Almatis' existing facility is located since 1998. Planned to commence operations in early 2026 and doubling the company's production capacity, the new facility will increase Almatis' market share in the Asian region.

The investment will significantly contribute to the Qingdao Economic and Technological Development Zone. This new facility, boosting the region's economic growth and employment, will enhance the region's international competitiveness. Strengthening the region's industrial infrastructure Almatis investment will support the technological progress in the Qingdao Economic and Technological Development Zone.

安迈铝业隶属于OYAK集团，是世界领先的特殊氧化铝产品和解决方案供应商，现正在中国青岛经济技术开发区投资建设一条新的高品质煅烧氧化铝生产线。该新生产线将使安迈铝业在中国的产能提高一倍，从而增强其在亚洲市场的竞争力和市场份额。

从左至右：青岛市政府外事办公室主任范奇志先生，青岛市政府商务局局长王志俊先生，青岛市政府秘书长李虎成先生，青岛市市长、市委副书记赵豪志先生，安迈铝业首席执行官Anil Sönmez先生，安迈铝业首席商务官Charles Compson先生，安迈铝业首席运营官Alessio Scarsella先生，安迈铝业中国销售总监王峰先生

前排从左至右：青岛经济技术开发区管委会副主任袁迎春女士，安迈铝业首席财务官Gözde Diner女士

2024年4月23日（星期二），青岛市政府领导及经济技术开发区的代表到访了安迈铝业集团位于德国法兰克福的总部。期间双方签署了新项目投资谅解备忘录，该项目的落地将继续促进安迈铝业和青岛经济技术开发区的合作共赢。

未来新生产线的落成，将有效促进安迈铝业高端氧化铝产品在半导体结构部件、消费电子产品、热管理应用和电动汽车等关键市场上的进一步增长。该突破性项目将使得安迈铝业更有力的应对供应链的挑战，实现原材料的本地化供应，更快捷高效的实现安迈战略所需。

安迈铝业的一次战略行动

        新生产线的建设预计从2024年第四季度正式开始，计划于2026年初生产调试。通过引入一座全新的煅烧窑炉和最前沿的研磨技术及设备，安迈铝业将扩大其产品范围和丰富程度，更好地服务于整个亚洲地区的高技术陶瓷、半导体部件、芯片和电动汽车等行业的快速增长的需求。

为青岛经济技术开发区的发展做出贡献

        新煅烧氧化铝生产线将落成于安迈铝业在青岛的现有生产基地（该生产基地始建于1998年），并计划于2026年初开始运行，新产线将带来安迈铝业产能的进一步提升，促进其在亚洲地区市场份额的扩大。

        项目的引进将对青岛经济技术开发区未来的发展做出更加积极的贡献。新生产线将促进该区域的经济增长和就业吸引力，增强该区域的国际竞争力。安迈铝业集团的投资在加强青岛经济技术开发区的工业基础设施的同时，还将大力促进该开发区的产业升级和技术进步。

Founded over a century ago, Almatis officially became an independent company on March 1, 2004, setting the stage for a remarkable journey of growth and resilience. We stand as a testament to the power of dedication and collective effort, recognized globally for its innovative solutions and commitment to excellence. Today, when one thinks alumina, thinks Almatis.

Throughout the last two decades, we have achieved several key milestones, reinforcing our position as an industry leader:

2006 Expanded operations with the Huangdao, China Tabular Expansion and inaugurated the Neville, US Grinding Center, enhancing global presence.

2007 Achieved 100% ownership in Falta, India, solidifying commitment to strategic locations contributing to success.

2011 Expanded continuous ground capabilities at Neville Operations, enabling further regionalization and domestic supply.

2012 Established Almatis Campinas, Brazil Sales Office.

2013 Inaugurated the first calcines plant in Huangdao, China, facilitating regional production of calcined aluminas for Asian customers.

2015 Acquired by the OYAK Group, bringing new opportunities and reinforcing market standing.

2018 Marked a milestone with the Ludwigshafen, Germany Calcines Expansion and the opening of the Singapore Sales Office, showcasing dedication to innovation and customer satisfaction.

2020 Enhanced global distribution network with the establishment of a Distribution Center in Singapore, streamlining logistics for increased efficiency.

2021 Inaugurated the new integrated Tabular Alumina plant in India, Falta, and expanded the Ludwigshafen Wet Mill, emphasizing commitment to cutting-edge technology and sustainability.

2023 Increased calcined alumina production capacity in Arkansas, US by 15%, and kicked off a series of investments in Rotterdam, Netherlands sintered aggregate operations. Optimized our global production footprint to adapt to the changing business environment and become stronger for the future.

We are celebrating this significant milestone, thanks to the entire Almatis Team, and their hard work, dedication, and passion that have contributed to our collective success. The celebration not only pays tribute to the past but also serves as a platform to strengthen the bonds that make Almatis a unique and vibrant community. 

Today, our journey evolves and gains momentum. With the same spirit that has carried us thus far, Almatis will continue to set new standards, overcome challenges, and thrive in the ever-changing landscape of our industry.

We would like to extend our gratitude to our shareholder OYAK, valued customers, business partners and Almatis employees for walking with us towards this incredible milestone. 

Almatis – Innovate Alumina and Beyond for Future

The event, organized by the CII, aimed to promote the adoption of QC Circles among member companies, facilitating the exchange of knowledge and experiences to enhance quality, mitigate challenges and increase efficiency.

QC Circles, a structured approach towards quality management, have been gaining momentum as a powerful tool for mitigating challenges within organizations. The convention served as a platform for participants to showcase exemplary practices, exchange ideas, and learn from each other's experiences. It provided insights into forming QC Circles within companies, promoting the QC movement, and excelling in respective domains.

Almatis, represented by their team "ABHYUDAYA," consisting of five dedicated members, made a mark at the State Level competition held in February 2024. The team comprised Shubhankar Nath and Pabitra Chakrabortty from Production, along with Suprabhat Jana, Rahul Dey, and Anirban Banerjee from Maintenance. Despite stiff competition from 24 teams representing various industries, Almatis emerged victorious, earning the prestigious "Special Jury Award."

The recognition highlights Almatis' commitment to quality excellence and continuous improvement. By actively participating in forums like the CII QC Circle Convention, the company not only showcases its best practices but also contributes to the collective advancement of the industry. The award serves as a testament to Almatis' dedication to excellence and its ability to stand out amidst tough competition.

With this accolade, Almatis reaffirms its position as a trailblazer in quality management and sets a benchmark for excellence in the industry. As the company continues its journey towards innovation and excellence, it remains dedicated to leading by example in the industry.

About Almatis Alumina Private Limited, Falta, India

Almatis business activities in India began in 1995. At its Falta plant, Almatis Alumina Private Limited locally produces high quality Tabular Aluminas. For refractories, ceramics, glass, polishing, specialty and building chemistry markets in India & SEA Region, Almatis Alumina Private Ltd. offers the full Almatis specialty alumina product portfolio, including Tabular Alumina, Calcined Alumina, Calcium Aluminate Cement, Reactive Alumina and Spinel. As part of the Global Almatis Corporate Policy, the Falta site is committed to environmentally friendly solutions and safe operations.

The prestigious award, presented by esteemed community leaders Director Mr. Fu and Director Mr. Song, is a testament to Almatis Qingdao's unwavering commitment to excellence, innovation, and community growth in the Xin'an region. Out of 5,300 companies evaluated, Almatis stood out for its exemplary leadership in safety management, industrial development, environmental protection, and social responsibility.

The evaluation criteria for the award included foreign investment, industry ranking, taxation, revenue, and employment in the year 2023. Almatis Qingdao excelled in each category, showcasing its dedication to fostering sustainable progress and cooperative growth within the Xin'an area.

"We are honored to receive this prestigious award from the Xin'an community, recognizing our substantial contributions and leadership in various crucial aspects," said David Qian, Operations Director, Almatis Qingdao. "This achievement is a result of the collective efforts of our team and the strong support from the Xin'an community. We express our gratitude to everyone involved and are committed to continuing on a path of sustainable progress and shared achievements."

The recognition reflects Almatis Qingdao's ongoing commitment to corporate social responsibility and its mission to contribute positively to the communities in which it operates. The company looks forward to further collaborations with the Xin'an community and aims to build on this success for the benefit of all stakeholders.

About Qingdao Almatis

Qingdao Almatis Co. Ltd. is located in Qingdao Trade and Economic development zone in the port city of Huangdao. It consists of two plants making calcine and tabular alumina respectively.  The first phase in the tabular plant was established in 1998 to process imported CD and calcined alumina. After a US$18 million expansion investment in Phase II, which included two new tabular converters and a completely new Tabular CD processing line, the facility is now a state-of-the art, fully integrated production line for the manufacture of Tabular Alumina. Responding to the rising market demand in Asia, Almatis then invested over US$ 40 million into a second China plant, the Phase III project, which first started manufacturing calcined alumina products in 2012. Qingdao Almatis is now capable of producing and supplying its customers in mainland China and South East Asia very timely and efficiently with the expected quantity and quality of specialty alumina products.

Event: 6^th Australian DryMix Mortar Meeting

Date: 20 Feburary 2024

Location: Maritime MuSEAum, Darling Harbour, Sydney

Almatis Representative:

              Raymond Chuan Chin Ong, Regional Account Manager SEA

              raymond.ong@almatis.com

              +65 90496123

              Connect with Raymond on LinkedIn

Meeting Program & Information: 6th Australian Drymix Mortar Meeting, 20. February 2024, Sydney: Drymix.info - The International Community For Drymix Mortar

Sustainability is a key component of Almatis long-term corporate strategy.  Almatis sustainability program, Mission NeutrAL, outlines our Ambition for a sustainable raw material industry, our Commitment towards sustainability initiatives and Transparency with our sustainability performance.  Together, these key pillars support our mission to provide the lowest delivered carbon footprint for alumina products to our core markets.

Almatis corporate and product carbon accounting methodology is also verified to the ISO 14064-3 Standard.  Verification according to these methodologies significantly reduces the amount of time required to calculate, audit and verify the ongoing product carbon footprint of all product lines across our global operations.

Feel free to contact your regional account manager or send a message to our team at info@almatis.com to receive the verified values of specifically sourced products.

Mission NeutrAL: A Green Commitment

At the core of Almatis' environmental stewardship is Mission NeutrAL, a holistic strategy aiming to make a positive impact on the company's carbon footprint. Almatis is unwavering in its dedication to achieving carbon neutrality by integrating cutting-edge technologies, embracing renewable energy sources, and implementing energy-efficient processes across its production chain.

Renewable Energy Integration

We recognize the transformative power of renewable energy in mitigating the environmental impact of manufacturing. Through strategic partnerships and investments, we are actively transitioning towards cleaner energy sources to energize our facilities and to provide products with lower carbon footprint.

Energy-Efficient Processes

Sustainable manufacturing practices take center stage in Almatis' commitment to Mission NeutrAL. We continuously explore and implement innovative technologies that enhance energy efficiency throughout our production lines, reducing overall energy consumption and environmental impact.

Clean Manufacturing Operations: A Pillar of Almatis' Ethos

We place significant emphasis on maintaining clean manufacturing operations. This involves not only minimizing emissions but also addressing waste management, water conservation, and responsible sourcing.

Waste Reduction and Recycling

Advanced waste reduction and recycling programs form a cornerstone of Almatis' eco-friendly initiatives. By reusing materials and adopting circular economy principles, the company has a well-established system that significantly reduces waste generation.

Water Conservation Practices

Recognizing the importance of water as a precious resource, Almatis is dedicated to its responsible use. Through water conservation practices and the implementation of efficient water management systems, the company aims to minimize its water footprint, contributing to the preservation of this vital resource.

Responsible Sourcing

Almatis is committed to sourcing raw materials responsibly, prioritizing suppliers who adhere to sustainable practices. By engaging in ethical sourcing, the company ensures that its manufacturing processes are aligned with environmental stewardship from the very beginning of the supply chain.

Almatis is setting new standards for environmental responsibility in the manufacturing industry through Mission NeutrAL and a commitment to clean operations. By integrating renewable energy, adopting energy-efficient processes, and embracing responsible practices across its supply chain, Almatis is not only reducing its environmental impact but also inspiring the broader industrial community to join the journey towards a greener and more sustainable future.

Carbon Neutrality

We have taken a bold step towards carbon neutrality, ensuring any tabular alumina can now be produced with a reduced environmental impact. 

Our impressive reduction of 13%, from 1.1 to 0.90 Mt CO₂e /Mt alumina, holds even more significance than it appears. It is crucial to highlight that the 0.2 Mt CO₂e /Mt alumina reduction constitutes nearly two-thirds of our total Scope 1+2 carbon footprint! By reducing our scope 1+2, we pave the way for our customers to significantly trim their scope 3 emissions. It is a collective journey towards a greener, more sustainable future.

This breakthrough extends beyond a single product; now, any of our tabular aluminas can be manufactured with a reduced environmental impact.

This represents a monumental leap toward our Mission NeutrAL goals. 

Why Low Carbon?

Actively contribute to a sustainable future, by choosing our low carbon tabular aluminas. It is not just about the material; it is about making a conscious choice that benefits our customer’s immediate requirements but also demonstrates their commitment to a greener, more climate-friendly industry.

Placing an order means investing in a sustainable future, as we commit to purchasing green energy for our production processes. Not only do our customers receive top-notch material with identical performance and quality, but they also align themselves with a company dedicated to minimizing its carbon footprint.

Our Commitment

With our low carbon tabular alumina, we are committed to minimizing our carbon footprint by investing in green energy for production.

Join us in shaping a future where performance and environmental consciousness go hand in hand.

Tabular & other Aggregates

Mr. Sönmez also shares valuable insights into the current state of the global alumina market. He highlights the performance of the tabular manufacturing plant in Falta, West Bengal, which is playing a key role in driving growth at Almatis globally by serving as a strategic production center.

The interview can be found in the abridged version of the magazine at the following link: LINK

The transition to plastic bag packaging introduces 12.5 kg bags, replacing the existing 25 kg bags. The new packaging will be available in three convenient pallet sizes, providing flexibility and adaptability to diverse customer requirements:

·         4005369 ALPHABOND 300; 40x12.5KG PB

·         4005371 ALPHABOND 300; 76x12.5KG PB

·         4005381 ALPHABOND 300; 900KG SB DS

This transformation not only extends the shelf life of Alphabond 300 but also enhances your company's inventory management capabilities. The smaller plastic bags offer a longer storage duration without compromising the product's properties, ensuring that you have more control over your stock levels.

This shift aligns seamlessly with Almatis' commitment to sustainability. The longer shelf life of Alphabond 300 reduces the frequency of product turnover, minimizing waste and supporting a more sustainable supply chain. By offering a product with an extended shelf life, Almatis aims to contribute to resource conservation and environmental responsibility.

Customers can expect to receive Alphabond 300 in the new plastic bags starting in December 2023. This strategic move is part of Almatis' ongoing efforts to integrate sustainability into every aspect of its operations, providing customers with high-performance products while minimizing environmental impact.

For further information or inquiries, please feel free to reach out to your dedicated Regional Account Manager, who will be happy to assist you during this transition.

Almatis continues to innovate and invest in solutions that empower our customers, and the introduction of smaller plastic bag packaging for Alphabond 300 is a significant step forward in our commitment to excellence and environmental responsibility.

Reducing Energy Consumption

ECO-TAB® is engineered to excel in wear linings, a critical component of the metal manufacturing process. The lower-density alumina refractory aggregate provides a unique advantage by reducing the thermal conductivity of the steel ladle working lining. This innovative design is tailored to offer superior thermal properties, enabling the lining to maintain temperature more effectively. As a result, less energy is lost from the metal and required to keep it at the desired temperature throughout the manufacturing process. 

Capacity Improvement

One of the notable benefits of ECO-TAB® is its capacity-enhancing properties. The reduced weight of the steel ladle lining translates to higher steel capacity of the ladle when the maximum crane weight becomes the limit. This, in turn, increases the overall efficiency of metal manufacturing operations. By optimizing capacity, ECO-TAB® helps manufacturers meet production targets while keeping energy consumption to a minimum.

Minimizing Material Consumption

Reducing material consumption is another significant advantage of ECO-TAB®. Its lower-density composition means less aggregate is needed to create effective wear linings. This efficiency translates to a reduction in raw material usage, saving resources and minimizing waste. Almatis is committed to a circular economy, and ECO-TAB® is a demonstration of their dedication to sustainable manufacturing practices

Reducing the CO­₂ Footprint

The ultimate result of using ECO-TAB® in metal manufacturing is a remarkable reduction in the carbon footprint. By cutting energy consumption and material usage together with improved production efficiencies, this innovative solution contributes to a more environmentally responsible production process. ECO-TAB® is a tangible step towards the industry's global efforts to reduce its environmental impact and achieve more sustainable operations.

Almatis' ECO-TAB® refractory aggregate is a pioneering solution for metal manufacturers aiming to improve their energy efficiency, capacity, and sustainability. By utilizing this lower-density aggregate in wear linings, manufacturers can reduce their carbon footprint, optimize resource usage, and improve the overall efficiency of their operations. ECO-TAB® shows Almatis' commitment to innovative and sustainable solutions in the world of metal manufacturing. As the industry continues to evolve, ECO-TAB® stands as an example of how small changes can lead to significant improvements for both business and the environment.

Almatis (Qingdao) Co., Ltd., established in the 1990s, has been actively contributing to the local economy. With a factory covering over 63,000 square meters and a workforce of more than 160 employees. To further enhance its capabilities, Almatis is considering to introduce three new advanced production lines, with the potential to double its production capacity as well as double its local tax contributions to the local community.

Alessio Scarsella, Almatis Chief Operations Officer, explained, "Almatis choice to invest in Qingdao Economic and Technological Development Zone is a strategic decision driven by the region's convenient access to sea transport, a talented and proactive workforce, and excellent collaboration with local government.”

Almatis’ interaction with the Qingdao Development Zone exemplifies the region’s commitment to utilization of high-quality foreign investment and service to international enterprises. This aligns with Qingdao Development Zone’s overarching goals of enhancing its role as a leading platform for opening up opportunities at the national level and improving its business environment. Mr. Scarsella further states that the Qingdao Development Zone’s attractiveness to foreign investors has been growing as it is providing an exceptional business environment. 

We invite you to Almatis YouTube channel to watch the video interview with Alessio Scarsella and David Qian. Please note that the video is in Chinese, but it offers an insightful look into Almatis' expansion in Qingdao and its vision for the future. Click here to watch the video and explore the details of Almatis' journey in Qingdao.

The project consists of four distinct phases, all working towards the impressive goal of achieving a capacity increase of 15%. This increase comes in response to projected market demand for specialty lower soda calcines and the introduction of other innovative products into the Almatis calcined alumina portfolio.

The project was officially launched earlier this year, with a primary focus on process and quality improvements to increase production of specialty lower soda calcines.

"We are dedicated to adapting our processes to align with our customers' ever-growing demands," commented Chuck Compson, Chief Commercial Officer at Almatis. "Our expert teams have been busy at work, finding innovative solutions to enhance the kiln's capacity. Initial testing began at the end of September, and we are eagerly anticipating successful results through the end of the year."

The targeted completion date for the first phase of this ambitious project is Q1 2024. As part of this milestone, Almatis has committed to strengthening its position in the calcined alumina market, while focusing on customers' demands and driving innovation. Almatis remains steadfast in its mission to provide the highest quality alumina products to its global customer base.

Calcined Aluminas: Building the Future in Refractories and Ceramics

Calcined aluminas, such as those produced by Almatis, play a crucial role in the manufacturing of refractories and ceramics. These versatile materials are used to enhance the strength, durability, and heat resistance of a wide range of products, from the bricks used in furnaces and kilns to the glossy finishes on ceramic tiles. Almatis' commitment to innovation ensures that these vital components continue to advance and support industries worldwide

About Almatis:

Almatis is a renowned global leader in the production and supply of high-quality alumina products for various industries, including ceramics, refractories, polishing, and other specialties. With a rich history of excellence, Almatis is dedicated to innovation, quality, and customer satisfaction.

Integrating green commits our 1,000 strong workforce to creative innovation for a sustainable future. The new Almatis corporate strategy puts forward a greener and more sustainable production of specialty alumina products while maintaining our excellent core strengths.

We adapt to our dynamic world and express it with a refreshed brand -- a bold and renewed visual expression of our more than century old identity.

Our commitment to sustainability sits at the heart of our new corporate strategy, just like our new logo’s green triangle. Our continuous focus on innovation remains, reflected as a striking change in reshaping our famous triangles.

Almatis is reshaping the future.

Think alumina, think Almatis.

Enhanced Flexibility in the Supply Chain

The primary focus of this project is to bring increased flexibility to our operations, enabling us to respond swiftly to market fluctuations and evolving customer demands. Through the implementation of process improvements, design flexibility, and cutting-edge technologies, the Rotterdam plant will be equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure. These enhancements will enable Almatis to operate at peak efficiency, optimize resource utilization, and deliver products that adhere to the highest quality standards.

Reaffirming our position as your Trusted Partner in Specialty Alumina

Almatis attributes its success as a reliable specialty alumina supplier to the dedication and hard work of its global teams. Their unwavering commitment to excellence has reinforced our position as a trusted partner in the industry. Almatis takes great pride in having a team that consistently goes above and beyond to deliver outstanding results to our valued customers.

Project Completion in 2024

Almatis invites industry stakeholders and customers alike to stay tuned for updates and progress on this exciting project. The Rotterdam Operations team, together with our valued customers, will continue to drive innovation, process improvement, and customer-centricity, setting new industry standards. We anticipate the completion of this project in 2024 and are confident that it will elevate our operations to new heights.

"We are delighted to embark on this transformative journey to enhance our operations in Rotterdam," said Anil Sönmez, Chief Executive Officer at Almatis. "This investment demonstrates our unwavering commitment to providing our customers with the highest quality specialty alumina products while also reinforcing our position as a trusted partner in the industry."

About Almatis

Almatis is a global leader in specialty alumina, serving a wide range of industries, including ceramics, refractories, and polishing. With a legacy of excellence spanning over a hundred years, Almatis is committed to delivering innovative solutions, exceptional product quality, and unparalleled customer service.

For more information about Almatis, please visit our website: www.almatis.com

About Almatis Rotterdam Plant

Almatis Operations in the Netherlands is located in Botlek, Rotterdam. The company made its alumina footprint global in 1968 with the establishment of a tabular alumina plant in Rotterdam. In 1980, Rotterdam facility was expanded with the addition of a cement plant.

Note: This news announcement contains forward-looking statements, which are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in these statements. Please refer to the Almatis website or contact the media contact provided for more information on the factors that could cause actual results to differ from the forward-looking statements.

Almatis Dalton Operations was acquired by Alcoa Industrial Chemicals in 1984 under the name of Dal- ton Alumina & Chemicals, and has been part of Almatis Group since its establishment in 2004. The pro- duction site has consistently and reliably served our customers in the flame retardant carpet backing market with ground Alumina Trihydrate (ATH).

Cimbar Resources Inc. (Cimbar.com) is a leading supplier of ATH products, with over a hundred years expertise in the minerals business. The acquisition of Dalton Operations will allow its customers in the flame retardant carpet backing market to fully benefit from the value of Cimbar Resources.

With this divestiture, Almatis will continue to invest in its core markets and provide its customers in these strategic areas with excellent service and high-quality specialty alumina products.

The Dalton site will continue operations during this transition and all existing order confirmations will be transferred from Almatis to Cimbar Resources Inc.

In honor of the successful closing of this transaction, Cimbar Resources Inc. and Almatis would like to take this opportunity to thank our customers and business partners for years-long successful business.

Customers and industry professionals attending the exhibition will have the exclusive
opportunity to see, touch, and feel Almatis' high-quality Alumina powders, renowned
for their exceptional performance in Metal Polishing applications, including Brass,
steel, Chromium, and non-ferrous metals.
Don't miss out on this chance to discover the latest advancements in the industry!
Visit Almatis' booth, number B-27, in Hall #3, located at the Bombay Exhibition
Center, Goregaon (E), Mumbai

Sönmez commented on outlook, China, India, refractories and specialty markets as well as Almatis sustainability strategy, Mission NeutrAL, energy transition and recycling.

Find the full interview at http://imformed.com/challenge-change-in-the-world-of-speciality-aluminas-the-view-from-almatis/

Co-located with the Thermal Management Expo, Almatis will also share details of their newest, specially designed alumina fillers to yield higher performance in thermal interface applications. The ThermaFill product line allows a higher filler loading and the potential to further increase thermal conductivity. ThermaFill products are the economic solution for basic functional filler applications and are available in a surface treated version for increased solids loading.

Almatis aluminas enable the development of next-generation technologies. Building on over 100 years of R&D into alumina, Almatis offers the most comprehensive portfolio: calcined aluminas, low soda aluminas, extra & ultra-low soda aluminas, continuous and batch ground aluminas, tabular alumina and more.

The Americas technical experts will be on hand in Novi to guide ceramics firms in the optimal usage of Almatis premium aluminas.  Visit at booth no. 1120.

EcoVadis rates companies on 4 areas of sustainability: Environment, Labor & Human Rights, Ethics, Sustainable Procurement. All four aspects of Almatis' sustainability performance have been assessed as above industry average. This achievement ranks Almatis in the 95% percentile of all rated companies operating in the industry.

The EcoVadis Sustainability scorecard is available to our customers via www.ecovadis.com or by contacting info@almatis.com.

Rituparna Mitra, Almatis Customer Service Representative, was invited to a ceremony at Coimbatore to accept the Honour of Excellence award on behalf of Almatis.

During the event, Saint Gobain praised Almatis for their supply performance during the pandemic and stated that through these efforts, they did not face any shortage of raw material, even while they were experiencing increased demand.

Since our first sales invoice in 2012, Almatis has catered to the needs, in addition to all technical and commercial support in the Brazilian market, being closer to our customers.

We are pleased to supply premium alumina products for the local manufacture of refractories, ceramics and polishing.

50 years ago, in December 1972, Morimura Bros., Inc. of Japan and Alcoa co-founded our Iwakuni Plant and called it Moralco, a combination of MORimura and ALCOa. Iwakuni Plant shipped the first product to our customer three years later, in 1975.

Today, Morimura Bros and Almatis continue to enjoy a great partnership together.  Almatis Limited proudly produces the highest quality T60 and T162 tabular alumina products that support high performance industrial products.  Together, we offer the entire Almatis portfolio of aggregates, calcines and cement products to the Japanese, South Korea and other global markets.

For more information, visit our page https://www.almatis.com/document-service/product-data-safety-data-sheets/

This investment is the first of its kind in India, adding a completely new sintered tabular processing plant to the existing sizing facility.  Almatis India operations is now fully independent in their sourcing and supply chain requirements for the Indian market.

“Almatis is proud to have established the first integrated tabular operation in India, and is committed to being a reliable supplier and partner to our customers.  This is a significant milestone showing Almatis commitment to being a reliable supplier and partner to our customers and also for tabular alumina supply to the Indian market.”, Almatis CEO Anιl Sönmez stated in his welcome speech.

Many experts from other Almatis plants around the world brought in their long experience and deep knowledge to now produce in India the accustomed reliable quality.

The history of Almatis business activities in India goes back to 1995 when a joint venture was founded by Alcoa and Associated Cement Companies Limited India (ACC). In 2007 Almatis purchased the remaining stake in the JV to form a 100%-owned subsidiary.

With sales offices in Kolkata and Singapore, technical support from a local R&D lab in Kolkata, and support from the Almatis global network, Almatis India operations is well positioned to meet the increased demand of the refractory and steel markets for the upcoming years.

At this year’s IREFCON – the 14^th India International Refractories Congress in Kolkata, India, held from November 16-18 – Almatis CEO, Anιl Sönmez, will give the opening speech at the welcome dinner.

During the two-and-a-half day Congress, Almatis technical experts, Dr. Andus Buhr and Shankha Chatterjee will give four technical papers.

• Suitability of chrome-free magnesia- spinel refractory for RH application
• Development performance alumina-spinel of high precast pre-fired refractory for tundish application
• The value of additives in silica fume containing refractory castables
• Formation of hexa-aluminate solid solution phases in spinel containing castables – Mineralogical investigations in the system CaO - Al2O3 – MgO

Visit Almatis at our booth to learn about our commitment to the Indian refractory market, or meet us during our technical presentations to learn about our newest creative and innovative ideas.

Customers who are concerned about sourcing sustainable raw materials can now receive certified CO2 equivalent emissions values for these products.

To receive the certificate of your Almatis product, please leave an information request at https://www.almatis.com/contact/information-request/.

Also during the scientific conference, Almatis experts will give technical presentations. On September 28, at 13:20, Rainer Kockegey-Lorenz, Application & Market Development Manager - Almatis Ludwigshafen, will give a presentation on “Review of dispersing alumina and the matrix advantage system 25 years after launch”. At the same hour, Stefan Kuiper, Application & Market Development Manager – Almatis Rotterdam, will present “Three decades of Alphabond 300: an overview of its technical advantages”

The International Colloquium on Refractories ICR® is a world-renowned event held annually in Aachen, Germany. The event consists of a scientific conference, a trade fair for refractory companies and suppliers of raw materials, machinery, services and knowledge to the refractory industry, and of a varied supporting programme and social event.

More details information can be found under https://ic-refractories.eu/

“Almatis is extremely honored to have been selected by Novelis for their Global Supplier Alliance award.” Stated Barbara Steuler, Chief Commercial Officer at Almatis.  “Almatis is focused on supporting and enhancing our customers’ business through quality products, and world-class service & technical support.  We are pleased to be partnered with Novelis and look forward to our continued relationship.”

The Novelis Global Supplier Awards recognize companies for quality performance and outstanding partnership that spurs sustainable innovation and supports supply chain resiliency. Winners were evaluated based on quality, delivery, sustainability, and innovation performance indicators, as well as the results of a stakeholder satisfaction survey and Sustainability and Innovation questionnaire. Over several thousand suppliers competed for the Alliance Awards. Thirteen (13) companies were selected for the Alliance Awards based on the Novelis’ regional nominations. Twenty five (25) companies were awarded for their quality performance recognized as Silver, Gold and Aluminum Awards.

“Novelis’ outstanding suppliers make it possible for us to transform aluminum into innovative, sustainable solutions for our customers,” said Roxana Molina, Chief Procurement Officer of Novelis. “We believe it’s important to recognize our suppliers that have gone to great lengths to provide quality goods and services that are essential to our continued growth and success. Each Novelis Global Supplier Award recipient is a shining example of quality and service, and we are glad to give them this well-deserved recognition.”

Almatis is the market leader in specialty alumina products & services for the refractories, ceramics, polishing, and specialty industries.  Almatis extra-low soda tabular aluminas play a key role in supporting Novelis to deliver innovative new products by providing reliable and quality bed supports.     

They discuss the impact of the overall purity level of alumina on its properties and how specific impurities or dopants impact specific properties more severe than other impurities or dopants. The dielectric loss is given as an example property that is significantly influenced by specific impurities. The awareness that specific impurities and certain combinations thereof have a larger impact on the properties of alumina than the overall purity opens up the possibility for a more economical solution to selectively avoid or remove impurities in alumina that are harmful for the targeted properties, depending on the application.

Refwin: Dear Ms. Barbara Steuler, thanks for the interview. Would you please give a brief introduction to Almatis’ history and its current business structure? 

Ms. Barbara Steuler: Almatis is the market leader in specialty alumina products and solutions for the high performance refractory and ceramics markets. At our core, we focus on customer centricity, innovative & sustainable products, operational efficiency, quality in everything we do, and the health & safety of our employees. 

In 2020, we adjusted our strategy to focus on speed & organizational efficiency to serve our customers’ needs. We executed this strategy throughout 2021, and despite all the supply-related challenges, were able to realize many improvements in our performance. 

Our 1000 employees operate nine industrial sites and six application and development centers, across all major regions of the world. Each major region has dedicated manufacturing facilities to meet market demand. Specific global products are produced in every region to secure quality and ensure supply to global customers. This allows our customers to source the same product & product quality in each region of the world. This is a very unique operational structure that we have in the market, which supports our overall business philosophy of being closer to our customers and serve them locally. The regionally-based operational footprint has been further strengthened in the past year by the commencement of our new tabular plant in India and the launch of our additional distribution center in Singapore for the South East Asian region. We continue to evaluate ways to further improve our sourcing position and maintain reliable supplies to our customers in all regions. 

Ms. Barbara Steuler, Chief Commercial Officer of Almatis GmbH

Refwin: What challenges did Almatis face during the COVID-19 pandemic and how have those challenges changed during the period of economic recovery? 

Ms. Barbara Steuler: COVID-19 had an major impact to our key markets of refractory and ceramics, which manufacture critical products for industries such as steel manufacturing, automotive, construction, glass, semiconductors and electronics.  The outbreak first impacted our China Operations in January 2020, which seems like so long ago, and yet the entire world is still dealing with this terrible pandemic. Our people in our operations, as well as those working from home, showed excellent work ethic and did an incredible job managing through the crisis, despite the daily challenges of volatile demand and a (mostly) home-office work environment. 

The recovery was very strong and started even earlier than we expected.  Demand returned already in September 2020, and throughout 2021 we produced at pre-crisis levels. Throughout 2021 we encountered many logistic and supply chain challenges, which unfortunately have not subsided in 2022. Global logistics issues will continue to push the macro-trend towards regional sourcing and supply chains.  Almatis is well-positioned to manage this trend as we already have the largest regionally-based operational footprint in the industry, which has been further strengthened in the past year by the commencement of our new tabular plant in India and the launch of our additional distribution center in Singapore.  We continue to evaluate ways we can further improve our sourcing position and maintain reliable supplies to our customers in all regions. 

Refwin: What do you think will be the new development trends of alumina-based refractory raw materials in the global market or regional markets in the future?

Ms. Barbara Steuler: The development trends for refractory raw materials will focus around the need for reduced heat losses and improved operational efficiency.  Alumina-spinel refractories for steel ladle lining can reduce the heat losses by 10-20 Kelvin when compared to graphite-containing carbon bonded basic bricks, which saves energy, money and reduces CO2 emissions. Sustainable initiatives for steel production will be a main driver for the refractory market around the world. One example is the trend from traditional steel production via blast furnace to EAF technology, so that scrap can be used as direct feedstock. In the coming years and decades, direct reduction processes including hydrogen will eventually replace carbon-based reduction in blast furnaces. While many of the refractory solutions required to facilitate this trend are already available, Almatis is currently in partnership with many customers to develop additional products. We strongly believe that synthetic alumina-based raw materials will play an even more vital role to cope with the new process challenges, and are innovating around the concepts of improved performance, reduced CO2 footprint and sustainable solutions. 

Refwin: Almatis has been focusing on alumina materials, which seems to be a single product strategy. Do you plan to expand your business into other raw material or mineral offerings? 

Ms. Barbara Steuler: Almatis focuses on providing alumina and alumina-based products & solutions. With more than 500 different products into more than 50 end use markets, we have by far the broadest product portfolio in the specialty alumina industry globally.  While the majority of our products are alumina, we produce specialty aggregates and calcium aluminate cements as well.  Our specialty aggregate products include alumina and magnesia-rich spinels, brown sintered alumina, and superlight weight calcium aluminate aggregates. These products were developed into our portfolio because they add value to our customers, not because they were alumina-containing. These specialty aggregate offerings allow Almatis to provide a more complete and full-purpose portfolio for refractory manufacturers, regardless of the application conditions. A simple all-alumina based portfolio, for example tabular alumina, would not allow us to provide premium performance for slag lines or alkaline resistant products for glass or cement kilns..  We strive to offer as complete a portfolio as possible, and therefore continue to investigate additional mineral solutions that could complement and broaden our portfolio, and add value to the offerings we have for our customers.  When our customers in the refractory market need additional products and solutions, we invite those ideas and are open and eager to cooperate with them.

Refwin: What is your view on the global competitive landscape, and how it is changing? Specifically, how do you view the competitiveness of domestic manufacturing compared to imported goods and the role of regional vs global sourcing trends? 

Ms. Barbara Steuler: From a global standpoint, the refractory market Asia will continue to grow the strongest, driven by the development of key infrastructure projects requiring steel. While China has historically been the growth driver in that region, India is poised to take over the role of “market growth” and will demand significantly more refractory raw materials than in past years. We target to be the leader in alumina supply to the refractory industry in India, and our commitment is shown through our new fully integrated tabular plant. This state-of-the-art facility was successfully commissioned in Q4 2021, and is currently supplying the India market with locally-made quality tabular alumina products.  Shifts in regulations (e.g. green energy, climate change), global logistics challenges and digitalization are also creating many opportunities all around the world.  Those new trends will generate additional growth in the developed regions like Europe, North America and Japan, where the legacy growth drivers of steel and GDP contribute less in the long-term. 

It’s not clear if the logistics environment from the past 2 years is indicative of a new normal in the long-term, however it is clear that there was an over-dependence on an imported supply chains, and that dependence brought too much risk.  The COVID pandemic, Suez Canal blockage, container shortages, an overall lack of vessel capacity, and now again COVID-related port delays have caused customers and consumers of raw materials to struggle to maintain operations. No region has been immune from these impacts. Without a development towards regional manufacturing and supply, the level of supply chain risk is very high. For many customers, it is still their highest concern. We are actively addressing these concerns through regional capacity expansions, and additional warehousing. Some of our expansions are incremental at existing operations, while others are greenfield expansions in a regional market, such as our new fully integrated tabular plant in India. Facilities such as this will reduce dependence on regional supplies from Europe or Asia, and will further increase the supply security for our customers.  Our new distribution center in Singapore will further strengthen our supply chain, offering backup options and inventory into this region.

Refwin: What role will sustainability play in changing the refractory market? What challenges & opportunities will this create in the refractory industry?

Ms. Barbara Steuler: Sustainability is one of the trends that clearly accelerated during the pandemic. We are actively implementing sustainability measures and pursuing the necessary sustainability chain of custody, and carbon footprint certifications. Our corporate policy is to actively reduce or avoid energy consumptions, emissions, and waste. To succeed in this area, we actively evaluate technologies and methodologies that surpass regional and local regulatory requirements. While initially some of these changes require capital, it is an investment in our business that will pay dividends in the long-term. 

Through the years, Almatis launched many products that focused on sustainable advantages, environmental impact, health & safety. Some examples are our SLA-92 as a replacement for ceramic fiber products, which not only shows a significant lifetime improvement, but also improves the occupational condition. Our Bonite and Bonite low density products offered a substantial reduction in energy consumption in lining concepts. Further we have MR 66 magnesia-rich spinel that replace chrome ore in fired magnesia bricks for cement kilns and last October we launched ES-Y 88 in China to replace fine chrome oxide in gas purging plugs. BSA 96 is a regional offering to reduce dependency on imported BFA products, which reduces scope III emissions and further is lower density and reduces overall material consumption. 

We believe that regional-sourcing is a supply chain macro-trend that will remain.  Suppliers of raw materials that are able to manufacture in-region, will have an advantage of offering reduced CO2 footprints, simply based on logistics.  The logistics CO2 footprint for many intercontinental shipments can be reduced by up to 75%, by regional sourcing.  This represents a significant impact on overall CO2 emissions, considering the amount of refractory raw materials that are imported / exported around the world.

Refwin: Many businesses are transforming their business to become more digital in their services, supply chains and ordering. What is your view and plans for digitalization to support the refractory market?

Ms. Barbara Steuler: Digital tools are a great way to provide real-time information and improve transparency for customer interaction. The pandemic crisis accelerated the process of using digital tools and processes to efficiently run our business and we will continue on that path. Order entry, material availability & supply updates are critical parts of the supply chain so that customers can make the best decisions possible with regards to managing their demand. We have implemented Pull-Loop Systems with a few customers around the world, which is working very well. This can be done locally, regionally, and globally. The purpose of digitalization is not to simply implement a digital tool to replace an existing tool or application, but rather to ensure that overall interaction process is more simplified, efficient and user-friendly. We believe there is the potential to further improve our systems and also add information transparency through digitalization.  

Closing statement:
Thank you for the opportunity for this interview and hope it gives insight into Almatis, and how we strive to be a customer centric organization. We are confident about the future outlook for refractory raw materials and look forward to working with our customers in the refractory industry to address their new opportunities and find solutions for their future challenges.

Prior to his appointment as CEO, Mr. Sönmez was the Head of Eastern Hemisphere and member of the Global Management Committee of Clariant Oil Services, based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and Board Member of the Clariant-Tamimi joint-venture in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. His previous responsibilities at Clariant included heading the Purification and Functional Adsorbents business groups, based in Munich, Germany.

Prior to Clariant, Mr. Sönmez worked for 9 years at the Borealis Group in various global management roles including finance, sales & marketing, new business development and circular economy solutions, based in Belgium and Austria.

Anıl Sönmez was born in 1983 in Bursa, Turkey.  He holds an Honors Master’s Degree in Business Administration from IMD in Lausanne, Switzerland, a Master’s Degree in Industrial Management from KU Leuven, Belgium and a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey.

We would like to have some details of the global business of Almatis. How did the company fare in the previous fiscal?

Almatis is the market leader in specialty alumina products and solutions for the high-performance refractory and ceramics markets. At our core, we focus on customer centricity, innovative & sustainable products, operational efficiency, quality in everything we do, and the health & safety of our employees.

Our 1,000 employees operate nine industrial sites and six application and development centres across all major regions of the world. Each major region has dedicated manufacturing facilities to meet market demand. Specific global products are produced in every region to secure quality and ensure supply to global customers. This allows our customers to source the same product and product quality in each region of the world.

The global business in 2021 was very strong, as market demand returned even earlier than market predictions and our own expectations. Demand started an upward curve already in September 2020, and throughout 2021, we produced at prepandemic levels. Throughout 2021, we encountered many logistic and supply chain challenges, which unfortunately have not subsided in 2022. Global logistics issues will continue to push the macro-trend towards regional sourcing and supply chains. All regions and markets recovered and even exceeded 2019 business levels, and we adjusted our strategy to focus on speed and organisational efficiency to serve our customers’ needs. We executed this strategy throughout 2021 and, despite all the supplyrelated challenges, were able to realise many improvements in our performance. Almatis is well-positioned to manage this trend as we already have the largest regionally-based operational footprint in the industry, which has been further strengthened in the past year by the commencement of our new tabular plant in India and the launch of our additional distribution centre in Singapore for the South East Asian region. We continue to evaluate ways we can further improve our sourcing position and maintain reliable supplies to our customers in all regions.

How is the global market for alumina at the moment? Which industry is projected to become the biggest end-user for aluminas in the future? Do you foresee any new end-user for aluminas?

The refractory market will continue to grow the strongest, driven by the development of key infrastructure projects requiring steel, and the Asian region will lead this growth. While China has historically been the growth driver in that region, India is poised to take over the role and will demand significantly more refractory raw materials than in past years. We target to be the leader in alumina supply to the refractory industry in India, and our commitment is shown through our new fully integrated tabular plant. Shifts in regulations (e.g. green energy, climate change), global logistics challenges and digitalisation are also creating many opportunities all around the world. Those new trends will generate additional growth in the developed regions like Europe, North America and Japan, where the legacy growth drivers of steel and GDP contribute less in the long term.

The development trends for refractory raw materials will focus on the need for reduced heat losses and improved operational efficiency. Alumina-spinel refractories for steel ladle lining can reduce the heat losses by 10-20 Kelvin when compared to graphite-containing carbon bonded basic bricks, which saves energy and money and reduces CO₂ emissions and complements ‘clean’ steelmaking. Sustainable initiatives for steel production will be the main driver for the refractory market around the world. One example is the trend from traditional steel production via blast furnace to EAF technology so that scrap can be used as direct feedstock. In the coming years and decades, direct reduction processes, including hydrogen, will eventually replace carbonbased reduction in blast furnaces.

Specifically for the Indian market, the technological aspects in refractory engineering are changing rapidly in both product design and ease of installation, thereby driving the usage of higherperforming tabular and synthetic aluminas across the value chain.

While many of the refractory solutions required to facilitate this trend are already available, Almatis is currently in partnership with many customers to develop additional products to help their products withstand even more stringent and corrosive working environments. As the technological, we strongly believe that synthetic alumina-based raw materials will play an even more vital role to cope with the new process challenges, and are innovating around the concepts of improved performance and lining life, reduced CO₂ footprint and sustainable solutions.

You are setting up a new plant in India that would manufacture specialty alumina. Please give us some details on the facility.

Our new tabular plant in India is a state-of-the-art Tabular manufacturing facility that was successfully commissioned at the end of 2021. The plant is ramping up operations towards full capacity this year, and in January 2022, we started supplying the Indian market with locally-made global quality tabular alumina products. The drivers for establishing this integrated tabular making facility at Falta, West Bengal, were our strong footprint in the region for over 2 decades as well as long term association and trust from the customers. With Indian steel demand and production, together with non-ferrous and allied industries, projected to continuously rise, leveraging on the infrastructural and urban developmental plans, it was imminent that a local facility would secure the growing tabular alumina demand envisaged for the coming years.

Are the products manufactured in the new plant going to cater to the Indian market?

The products manufactured at our new plant are focused on supplies to the domestic Indian market, but being a global product, the plant can be a source for the nearby South Asian region as well. We predict that the Indian iron and steel market will continue to grow strong – driving the high performing special refractory requirements, and the advanced steelmaking technologies will demand the usage of tabular alumina aggregates in various applications. Further, the congregation of global refractory players in India makes the region a long-term growth centre, and we are excited to offer locally produced tabular alumina products to cater to this progress.

How much imports will be substituted by the products manufactured from the Falta plant?

Almatis has historically supplied much of the Indian market from our European operations. Initially, a supply chain of European tabular alumina will remain available while the plant ramps up to full capacity. Our final goal, however, is to have an independent operation in India that is able to supply the market demand and does not require supplemental tabular from other regions. With more than 500 different products in more than 50 end-use markets, we have by far the broadest product portfolio in the specialty alumina industry globally. We will continue to import calcined and reactive aluminas, calcium aluminate cements, magnesium aluminate spinels and dispersing agents to complement our domestically produced tabular and continue to offer our customers a full portfolio of high-performance products. The local base for tabular alumina will be a big boost for the market in terms of reliability of supplies, management of logistic uncertainties and most importantly, instill the confidence in the market that a global product is now available next door.

With the new plant, what will be Almatis’ contribution towards ‘Make in India’?

Our new plant in India makes a strong statement towards the “Make in India” movement. We are eager to continue this trend and bring domestic manufacturing to the tabular raw material market. The plant will not only be a flagship operation for our company, but also be a platform for additional products and innovations in the future. This new facility supports our existing operational strategy to be closer to our customers, and further is strengthened by the global trend towards regional & local manufacturing, with a focus on local supply chains.

Despite having the largest operational footprint in the specialty alumina industry, Almatis recognizes the impact of unforeseen shipment delays and short-term demand on our customers’ business. Not everything in business can be forecasted, and we are committed to helping our customers’ ability to be opportunistic with short term demand and a faster responding supply chain. The COVID pandemic, and export container supply delays of the past year have further strengthened the need for regional supply chain options, and local
material availability.

Sarbapi Mukherjee, Commercial Director India & Southeast Asia stated that “this warehouse re-iterates and strengthens our commitment to the region. Southeast Asia is an essential and growing part of our overall business, and it is critical that we are able supply material to the customers in that region with realistic lead times.” Raymond Ong, Regional Account Manager, Southeast Asia believes that “through this warehouse, we will be able to improve of material availability, delivery reliability, and overall customer satisfaction.”

We recognize that the situation is uniquely difficult for every single one of us, without exception. In the face of great challenges, we would like to thank our global employees, whether they are onsite at the production facilities or working from home, for their perseverance and dedication to servicing our customers in these challenging times.

Almatis continues to monitor the situation closely, and will comply with all government issued operational and health guidelines. Currently, Almatis has received the requisite government approvals as a critical business in order to continue its operations in the Americas, Europe, China and Japan.

Yours sincerely
Almatis GmbH

Almatis immediately began work on the area, assessing the extent of the damages and initiating first measures for a quick and safe restart of the tabular plant. 
Almatis is grateful that no human or environmental harm resulted from the January 16 fire at their facility.
The Almatis global supply chain will be relied on to secure Tabular Alumina supply to their European customers.  Almatis produces Tabular Alumina in four other locations, including Rotterdam, Netherlands, and has available capacity to meet all customer needs.
Also, Almatis will later in the quarter commission their newest Tabular Alumina facility in Falta, India. 
All other Almatis products are not at all impacted.

Most importantly there were no casualties. The root cause of the incident is still unknown. Our experts and the local authorities are currently investigating. The fire brigade and rescue services were immediately on site and the fire was rapidly brought under control. The extent of the damage to property cannot yet be quantified.

The effects of the accident were limited to the part of the building containing a mill, and there was at no time any danger to residents or the environment. The official representatives are currently conducting damage assessment on site.

Only the Sinter plant is affected. The Calcination and Grinding Center continue on normal product levels. The Sinter plant will remain out of operation until further notice.

Our global supply network will be utilized to ensure minimal impact for our customers. The Almatis Commercial Team will be contacting customers that may be affected in the short term.

German Version

“Almatis is committed to providing continuous support to the Indian refractory industry,” Emre Timurkan, Almatis’ CEO said. He assured the market that, “Almatis is on a path of rapid construction to satisfy our customers’ increasing demand for high quality Tabular Alumina.”

Operating since 1995, Almatis’ India business is based in Falta with a processing plant that has been growing steadily. Now with this forthcoming, world-class facility, Almatis will expand with integrated manufacturing line in India with Tabular Alumina converters installed. This investment will enable shorter lead times and a further improvement of flexibility from a plant in the proximity of our Indian and Asian customers.

Almatis India General Manager, Sarit Kundu, who’s responsible for execution of this strategic project, affirmed Almatis’ commitment: “Quality and delivery are of prime importance to Almatis. This upcoming Falta India Tabular Alumina production facility would meet the needs of our valued Indian customers and provide supply security for this growing market”.

Since initiating production in India in 1995, Almatis has built a leading position in supplying India's rapidly growing refractory, ceramic and polishing markets. To quickly improve the ability to serve the local Indian market, plant construction will begin soon. Once completed, the facility will competitively serve the growing Indian demand with a fully integrated, strong local presence.

“Making our Falta plant a fully backward integrated tabular production facility expands our tabular capacity and strategically locates production near a growing market that is very important to Almatis’ future,” said Almatis Chief Commercial Officer, Stefan Rieder, when announcing the expansion.

With the expansion, all Almatis global environmental and quality management systems will be in place to assure high quality products, delivery reliability and social responsibility.

“The Indian market has always expressed their appreciation for the Premium Alumina that Almatis delivers,” said Commercial Director India, Sarbapi Mukherjee. “Our alumina expertise is matched by our excellent local service and technical support capabilities. This expansion of our Falta plant will further enhance the customer experience with value added premium alumina, available at their doorstep.”

in turn took the opportunity to honor his PhD thesis advisors -- Eduard Woermann and Manfred Koltermann -- who guided his development as a young researcher of high alumina castables.

businesses such as pharmaceutical packaging.  
 
Henning Stams, CEO of Almatis commented: “I am very happy to see Stefan joining as we now can better focus on the need of our customers globally and further strengthen our forward-oriented engagement to develop mutual benefit along promising trends, leveraging on our strong technological knowledge and longstanding experience in this industry”.

Investments in Almatis Burnside have upgraded it to a chemical grade facility that supplies Almatis operations in the US and Europe with a high quality feedstock for producing their products and also supplying the non-metallurgical alumina chemical markets. The Burnside alumina refinery has an annual capacity of about 500,000 metric tonnes. Besides fulfilling internal feedstock requirements, Almatis will supply calcined alumina and hydrated alumina to fill the void resulting from the curtailments. Significant investments have been brought forward to ensure Almatis is a strong, long-term, reliable partner for the U.S. refractory, ceramic, polishing and chemical industries.

“Almatis has the only North American refinery operated and maintained solely for the quality needs of the specialty alumina and chemicals markets and thus completely independent from the much more volatile metallurgical grade alumina market,” stated Almatis CEO Henning Stams.  “Our production plants and those of our existing and new customers can rely on this,” he added.

Abstract: Calcium-mono-aluminate (CA or CaAl2O4) and calcium-di-aluminate (CA2 or CaAl4O7) are the main phases in iron free high alumina cements (CAC) which are used in demanding refractory applications. It is well known that the hydraulic reactivity of calcium aluminate phases increases with the calcium content of the phase, and therefore CA shows higher reactivity than CA2. Some literature even claims that CA2 would be an almost inert Phase with regard to hydraulic reactivity. This study investigates the Hydration of pure CA and blends of CA and CA2 using heat 

“We would like to thank Taco for his successful management and leadership of Almatis over the last years and especially during the process of the acquisition by OYAK.”

Prior to his appointment as CEO, Henning Stams was Almatis’ Vice President of Supply Chain and IT and served as a member of the Group’s Executive Committee from 2009.  He joined Almatis in 2004 as Chief Information Officer, with the primary responsibility for overseeing the carve-out of Almatis from Alcoa.  Previously he held a variety of different management and consultancy positions. Mr. Stams holds a Master’s Degree in Science from the University of Cologne and also serves as a judge at the Regional Court of Frankfurt.

Henning Stams stated “Our industry is currently facing challenging global market conditions.  My top priority will be to ensure that Almatis continues to be a reliable, competitive, value-adding and hence preferred solution and supply partner.  Through leveraging our strong technological knowledge, we shall further focus on offering best-fit solutions to our customers.”

Taco Gerbranda, Chief Executive Officer of Almatis, said: “We are grateful to DIC for their support and the strong partnership that we formed during their ownership period. This partnership was critical in allowing us to undertake very ambitious strategic steps that ensured the longer term stability of our company by extending our global presence, increasing capacity and becoming vertically integrated, with the single objective to better serve our customers.

Today marks the start of a new chapter for Almatis, with an owner who has expertise in our sector. This transaction positions Almatis very well to support the growth of our customers, grow with them and at the same time strengthen our leadership in the premium alumina industry. With its strong understanding of Almatis' customer needs, the market opportunities and challenges, OYAK is well placed to foster Almatis' continuous development, pursuing its long-term strategy.”

David Smoot, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai International Capital, commented: “We are extremely pleased with the outcome of the sale of Almatis. During our ownership, our close collaboration with the management team and investment in the business allowed the Group to achieve significant growth and improvements in its operations. The Group has an extremely attractive growth potential and OYAK is the right partner to support it in the next phase of its development.”

Taco Gerbranda, Chief Executive Officer of Almatis, said: “As a long-term investor, OYAK is expected to significantly strengthen Almatis' financial position and to support the Group's continued growth. This is a major milestone for Almatis and we look forward to the completion of the transaction”

Completion of the transaction is conditional upon receipt of all relevant regulatory approvals.