FOCUS ON TUBEFORMING
steel , we use 100 % scrap steel from which new , high-quality steel is produced again and again without any loss of quality . The Lingen site is therefore extremely important for our sustainability efforts . This will remain the case in the future , as Lingen is currently evolving into one of the most important hydrogen centres in Germany and therefore offers significant locational advantages .”
The CO₂-reduced steel for all three levels of BENTELER ’ s CliMore ® product range is produced in the electric arc furnace in Lingen .
“ With our plant in Lingen , we are not only making a decisive contribution to sustainability at BENTELER but are also supporting our customers on their path towards climate neutrality with our CliMore ® products . To support our customers ’ sustainable transformation in the long term , we are also planning to use green hydrogen or biogenic coal in the future ,” confirmed plant manager , Andreas Stadtherr .
Looking to the future
In May 2024 , the BENTELER Group officially opened its new plant in Bratislava , Slovakia . A total of around 50 guests attended the opening ceremony including employees , the management team as well as representatives of its customer and suppliers . The site will produce rear axles for Volkswagen .
BENTELER is committed to smart production , digitalisation and efficient logistics . The new plant is located just 1.5km from the customer ’ s site . This brings corresponding advantages : in addition to more efficient production and assembly , logistics costs are minimised and rapid response to product and order adjustments is possible .
Over a production area of 5,300 sqm , BENTELER will produce automotive parts in highly flexible and scalable facilities to meet the growing demands of its customers for model diversity and just-in-sequence production . The new location , BENTELER ’ s second automotive plant in Slovakia , will create more than 70 additional jobs . The company has operated a facility in Malacky with around 380 employees since 2009 .
In June 2024 , BENTELER officially inaugurated a new paint line at its plant in Schwandorf . The cathodic dip coating system strengthens sustainable production at the site . Thanks to the intelligent use of resources , energy and water consumption is reduced and the waste heat for the entire process is reused . In future , the plant can be operated entirely CO₂-neutrally by using biogas .
As part of the new process , components made of steel , galvanized steel and aluminium are dipped in an aqueous , electrically conductive , epoxy-based paint . A voltage field is applied and the paint is deposited on the workpiece . This enables continuous and uniform thickness , even in cavities and on edges .
BENTELER Automotive battery tray product .
Official opening of the new Bratislava plant .
In June 2024 , BENTELER officially inaugurated a new paint line at its plant in Schwandorf .
Development engineers dive deep into the chemical composition of the materials of tomorrow .
“ We have introduced a separate pretreatment line for aluminium with the new system and are thereby achieving new quality benchmarks for our customers , particularly in the premium segment . At the same time , we are further optimising and stabilising the corrosion protection of the steel ,” explained the company .
The 2,000m ² facility can treat a surface area of up to 7.8 million square metres annually , equivalent to around 1,000 football fields .
In Schwandorf , BENTELER produces battery trays as well as structural and chassis components for German automobile manufacturers .
Digitalisation has revolutionised processes at BENTELER . Investments made early on enable prompt optimisation of workflows and production . By using IoT technologies in predictive maintenance , it can avoid production stoppages . Automated quality control and the use of artificial intelligence save a significant amount of time and increase efficiency . In Big Data analytics , it has been using its own Smart Production Data Platform ( SPDP ) for several years now . This helps with predictive maintenance , for example . In 2023 , the platform was used at 16 additional locations worldwide .
To remain successful in the long term , BENTELER promotes the training and further education of its own workforce . For example , the company has developed specialised employee training programmes to further improve their skills and make best use of technologies on-site .
To make vehicle entry easier , for example , the metal processing specialist has developed a new door concept that removes the need for a B-pillar . This production-ready product , BENTELER confirmed , is lighter than existing solutions in the market and offers improved safety and material features .
“ As part of our BENTELER Strategy 2025 +, we are constantly developing our futureoriented and agile business model . In 2023 , we continued to consistently pursue our vision as leading metal processing specialists . We are focusing on continuous improvement within our three strategic core elements : customer orientation , process efficiency and innovative strength ,” concluded BENTELER in its 2023 Annual Report . n
www . benteler . com / en /
40 | ismr . net | ISMR July / August 2024