Norilsk Nickel and Krastsvetmet presented an innovative technology for the production of fiberglass using palladium alloy. The development will reduce costs and increase production efficiency.
The Norilsk Nickel and Krastsvetmet companies presented a new technology for spinneret feeders that use a palladium alloy. The presentation took place in Shanghai, reports the press service of Norilsk Nickel.
A spinneret is a compact electric furnace made from precious metals such as platinum and rhodium. The introduction of a palladium alloy will simplify the design while maintaining the technical characteristics of the equipment. This was made possible due to the lower density of palladium compared to platinum at a similar cost.
Global demand for platinum for fiberglass production is about 700 thousand ounces per year. At the same time, in the life cycle of spunbond feeders (production, processing, restoration), the volume of platinum used is much higher. For example, in China this figure exceeds 3.5 million ounces. Replacing up to 50% of platinum with palladium will significantly reduce costs.
“Our development is an important step in the development of fiberglass technology, especially in China. In an environment where cost reduction and efficiency improvements are key, our technology will open up new opportunities for innovation and growth,” said Anna Karzhavina, head of product commercialization at Norilsk Nickel’s Palladium Technology Center.
The new technology of Norilsk Nickel and Krastsvetmet will not only reduce the cost of fiberglass production, but also increase its availability for manufacturers. This opens up prospects for further development of the industry.
Source: nedradv.ru
Photo: nornickel.ru
