Süd-Chemie runs new production process for BMW Group

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Süd-Chemie successfully runs new environmentally-friendly production process for casting cores for BMW Group  INOTEC® production plant of the Süd-Chemie subsidiary WD-Giesserei-Technik in Moosburg accomplishes emission-free series production of casting cores for the production of engine components at BMW Group’s light metal foundry  Süd-Chemie AG, Munich, a leading global specialty chemicals manufacturer is successfully running a new production plant of its Fuldabrück-based subsidiary, WD-Giesserei-Technik GmbH, for the environmentally-friendly production of casting cores for BMW Group with the newly developed INOTEC® process.

Core-making in the pilot plant station at our companydaughter, ASK (Ashland-Südchemie Kernfest GmbH) in Hilden, where the environmentally friendly methods INOTEC have been developed Quelle: ASK Chemicals

The new INOTEC® plant produces a core package consisting of various cores, including those to be used for the casting of cylinder blocks for the new highly efficient 6-cylinder diesel engine of BMW Group. In the next two years, this INOTEC® core production plant, in which Süd-Chemie has already invested in a low single digit million euro range, will create new jobs in double-digit numbers at the Süd-Chemie site in Moosburg. In the current start-up phase of the production plant commissioned in May 2009, the number of employees is currently still in a single-digit range.

The INOTEC® binding system, a unique, inorganic and thus emission-free version of core binders based on silicate for the casting industry, in particular aluminium casting, was developed by Ashland-Südchemie-Kernfest GmbH, a joint venture between Süd-Chemie and Ashland Inc., and optimized for automotive series casting production in close collaboration with BMW Group’s light metal casting house in Landshut. In Moosburg, the Süd-Chemie subsidiary WD-Giesserei-Technik has accomplished, in just a short space of time, the production of foundry cores for BMW on the basis of the INOTEC® environmentally-friendly inorganic binding system in technically ultra-modern series production with 3-shift operation.

The environmental benefit is that the inorganic binding agents used in the process emit virtually no emissions harmful to the environment, unlike many organic binding agents. For this reason, core production can dispense with expensive and time-consuming processes such as air extraction and amine washing.

The task of a binding agent system is to bind the quarry sand used in the production of casting cores so stably that it can withstand the extreme temperatures of up to 900° encountered in aluminium casting. This enables precise and faultless casting of complex mouldings such as cylinder heads and water cooling jackets. In the casting process, the casting cores represent the cavity model of the cast part to be produced.

With the INOTEC® binder system, Süd-Chemie and its affiliated companies further strengthen the group’s position as the European market leader for foundry chemicals and tools. Moreover the company strengthens its broad green chemistry portfolio consisting of process and environmental catalysts, bentonite based additives, water treatment, catalysts for second generation biofuels, and heavy metal free plastic additives.

About Süd-Chemie

Süd-Chemie AG (<link http: www.sud-chemie.com>www.sud-chemie.com) is a publicly quoted (Security Identification Number ISIN: DE0007292005; WKN: 729 200) specialty chemicals company headquartered in Munich, Germany and operating on a worldwide scale. Key markets served by its Adsorbents Division include the consumer-goods, packaging and foundry industries, as well as water treatment. Products manufactured by the Catalysts Division offer solutions for the chemical, petrochemical and refinery industries, for energy storage and hydrogen production, as well as off-gas purification. The common denominator of all its products and innovations is the efficient and sparing use of natural resources to enhance the quality of life for humans and the environment. Süd-Chemie generated group sales of €1.191 billion in 2008, approx. 80% of these outside Germany. At the end of June 2009, the group employed more some 6,300 people at 80 sales and production companies worldwide.

About Ashland-Südchemie Kernfest GmbH

Headquartered in Hilden near Düsseldorf (Germany), Ashland-Südchemie-Kernfest GmbH (<link http: www.ask-chemicals.de>www.ask-chemicals.de), a joint venture of Süd-Chemie and Ashland Inc., with its 3 production sites and 9 sales offices in Europe is the leading manufacturer of high-quality customized chemical products for the foundry industry and of specialty resins, particularly for the paint and coatings industry in Europe. The success of Ashland-Südchemie-Kernfest GmbH is based upon the ability to provide its customers with tailor-made solutions to complex problems in the area of foundry chemicals and tools. ASK Chemicals accomplishes this by bringing to market an unusually broad and innovative product portfolio such as resins, binders, coatings, additives, feeders, filters and release agents in addition to providing a high level of responsiveness to customer needs and in-depth knowledge of the customer’s production process. Ashland-Südchemie-Kernfest GmbH is certified according to DIN EN ISO 9001:2000 (quality), DIN EN ISO 14001:2005 (environmental protection) and OHSAS 18001 (safety).

 
About WD-Giesserei-Technik

WD-Giesserei-Technik GmbH, headquartered in Fuldabrück, produces sand cores for the casting industry. These tailor-made products are required by casting houses for the design of cavities in casting amongst other things, in order to produce high-quality products which are primarily used in the automotive industry and machine construction. Customers include major casting houses as well as global leaders in car and commercial vehicle manufacturer. The current workforce at WD-Giesserei-Technik GmbH numbers over 80. The company has been a part of Munich-based Süd-Chemie AG since the start of 2006.