Aluminium manufacturer lands US deal

A Shropshire aluminium manufacturer has secured a five-year US supply agreement as it expands its presence in the fast-growing electrification market.

Bridgnorth Aluminium will supply battery grade aluminium to Lotte Aluminium Materials USA, one of the world’s leading suppliers of advanced materials for the battery industry.

The agreement was signed at Lotte’s site in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, and follows a period of technical development, qualification work and commercial collaboration between the two businesses.

For Bridgnorth Aluminium, the deal marks a significant step in its diversification strategy as it increases its presence in the fast-growing battery supply chain in North America.

The company, which is the UK’s last remaining aluminium rolling mill, employs 368 people at its production facility.

Adrian Musgrave, head of sales at Bridgnorth Aluminium, said: “This landmark agreement marks an important milestone in our diversification strategy and will accelerate our growth within the battery materials sector.

“The transition to electrified transportation and energy storage presents one of the most significant industrial opportunities of our generation, and our technical expertise, agility and ‘green’ production methods are at the forefront of this transition.

“Material manufactured here in Bridgnorth will be used by Lotte Aluminium Materials for the next five years. 

“It will go into production of next generation batteries that will end up in electric vehicles and energy storage systems.

“Battery foil plays a critical role in battery performance, making secure, high-quality supply partnerships like this one increasingly important to manufacturers serving both the ‘EV’ and ‘ESS’ sectors.”

The agreement follows a strong 18 months for the manufacturer, which has returned to 24/7 production and expanded its order book across printing, packaging, construction, energy and electrification.

Backed by Viohalco Group, Bridgnorth Aluminium has also invested more than £2 million in cast house technology and a dedicated slitting line to improve efficiency and capability.

Adrian added: “These latest upgrades have complemented our proven technical expertise in developing high quality aluminium materials and this is giving us a strong foundation to target new sectors both at home and overseas.

“We’re leveraging collaborative agreements where we get involved in the early stages of a project. This means we can influence specification and ensure the high-grade material we supply delivers the most effective performance possible.

“This is reflected in the confidence that Lotte has placed in Bridgnorth Aluminium and we look forward to exploring how the partnership can support the future growth of both organisations.”

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