XEAL starts up a fourth kiln following a 2 million euro investment

Xallas Electricidad y Aleaciones, XEAL, has begun commissioning of the 12th ferrosilicon furnace in Cee after making an investment of two million euros. It is therefore operating with four of its five furnaces at full load, taking advantage of a profitable demand opportunity currently offered by the market.

Furnace 12 was taken offline at the end of November to undertake a major overhaul to modernize and automate the casting area. Key aspects of the renovation work include the incorporation of automatic equipment for opening and sealing the casting nozzles, autonomous cupola carriages that can be operated remotely using remote controls, a new 25-ton overhead crane for handling and pouring the cupolas containing the liquid alloy, and the redesign and expansion of the diffuse fume collection systems for the process. 

This reform focuses on the 4 strategic axes of the company:  improving occupational safety; compliance with environmental regulations, long-term care and maintenance of assets; and improved  efficiency and productivity. Regarding the latter, the new equipment will increase competitiveness and make kiln 12 in Cee XEAL's most competitive kiln and one of the most competitive in Europe.