ABP induction furnace arrives at Saint Gobain PAM in spectacular operation
It will be a milestone for Saint Gobain PAM, a lighthouse project for the French industry and a showcase project for ABP Induction: an old cupola furnace system in Foug, France, is being decommissioned and replaced by a more climate-friendly induction furnace system from ABP Induction. The aim is to massively reduce CO2 emissions and water consumption. An important milestone has now been reached: the induction furnace manufactured by ABP Induction was transported across Europe by heavy goods vehicle – a logistical masterpiece.
Next milestone: Once the ABP induction system has been set up and installed, production at Saint Gobain PAM will be switched over – without interrupting production. The cupola furnace system will be replaced by induction furnaces – in this case, by two IFM furnaces with a capacity of 30 tons and an output of 18 MW, designed using TWINPOWER® technology – one of the largest induction furnace systems ever installed in a foundry in Europe.
Accordingly, the transportation of the first induction furnace was a huge task that required a great deal of planning. Traffic on various railroad lines had to be temporarily suspended and a heavy-duty crane was erected to lower the furnaces, which weighed several tons, over the roof of the production area into the hall, where they could finally be assembled and installed.
During realization, Saint Gobain PAM at the Foug site benefited from ABP‘s many years of experience in modernizations and installations of these dimensions, both in Europe and worldwide. This ensured on-time delivery, as project manager Friedrich Julius explains regarding this important milestone. He thanked all the project partners involved for the smooth process.
But the changes on the site in Foug are even more far-reaching: „Much more is happening here – the entire foundry is being modernized. Environmental aspects, digitalization, a significant improvement in working conditions – we at ABP fully identify with this,“ explains Alexander Keller, Head of System Sales at ABP and responsible for sales. . Saint Gobain PAM‘s objectives are in line with ABP‘s strategy, which focuses in particular on the four megatrends of decarbonization, digitalization, deglobalization and demographic change.
