Hindalco’s Novelis, ThyssenKrupp Partner On Aluminum Sheet

Hindalco Industries’ U.S.based aluminum subsidiary Novelis, and the German steel major ThyssenKrupp’s Germany-based subsidiary ThyssenKrupp Tailored Blanks have decided to team up to offer their specialized know-how in developing lightweight innovative aluminum to the global automotive industry.

A statement released by Novelis, said the agreement specifically was for the development of tailored aluminum blanks.

ThyssenKrupp Tailored Blanks is a leading manufacturer of customized steel solutions for the automotive industry.

With this innovative technology, individual aluminum sheets of different grades, thicknesses and coatings can be joined to produce customized stamping blanks used by carmakers for the production of lightweight body parts, such as doors and hoods, as well as structural components including cross members and longitudinal members.

Lately, automotive manufacturers around the world have started building cars with the lightweight aluminum, and a prime example of this was the all-aluminum body of the Mercedes Benz SL.

The use of materials in tailored aluminum blanks allows for the elimination of reinforcements and overlapping joints, thereby saving material, time and costs and reducing the vehicle’s total weight. Tailored aluminum blanks can contribute to improved crash performance through the selective use of high-strength aluminum alloys.

Roland Harings, vice president of global automotive for Novelis, commented, “Tailored aluminum blanks extend the growing possibilities for advanced and economical lightweight solutions in vehicles. Material expertise with aluminum and know-how in tailoring of lightweight solutions are coming together in a unique way to provide this cost-effective technology on a global scale. Initial reaction from our customers has been very positive.”

ThyssenKrupp Tailored Blanks has over 30 years of expertise in global tailored steel solutions, and claims to be the world’s market leader in developing and providing tailored products with a market share of 40 percent.

Novelis belongs to the Aditya Birla group company called Hindalco, which is the largest aluminum rolling company in the world. According to Novelis, the company delivers a material advantage with its global supply of innovative aluminum alloys and strong technology expertise.

Both companies have vast experience in the automotive industry worldwide, partnering with major car manufacturers, for whom weight reduction has become increasingly important due to ever-evolving CAFE standards.

by Sohrab Darabshaw