Constellium's Ravenswood plant secures $75 million boost to deploy zero carbon technology

Constellium, the global leader in the development, manufacturing, and recycling of aluminium products and solutions, recently announced that its Ravenswood, West Virginia facility was chosen by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Clean Energy Demonstrations for potential award negotiations for up to $75 million in funding. This funding is part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act under the Industrial Demonstrations Program (IDP).

"We are honored and proud to have been selected for this investment and express our gratitude to the Department of Energy for their support of Constellium and the aluminium industry. Public investments such as the ones made through the Inflation Reduction Act are essential to accelerate the decarbonization of our industry, and we are looking forward to working with the DOE to promote a competitive and sustainable domestic aluminium industry," said Jean-Marc Germain, CEO of Constellium.

About the investment

The investment aims to support the implementation of innovative low-to-no emissions technologies within Constellium's Ravenswood facility. These advancements will mainly focus on decarbonising the cast houses, among the plant's most energy-intensive operations.

The planned investment will go towards installing state-of-the-art SmartMelt furnaces. These furnaces are designed to operate using a variety of fuels, including clean hydrogen. This move is a significant step towards achieving a zero-carbon casthouse, a goal aligned with sustainability and emission reduction efforts.

Significant benefit of the project

Aside from the environmental benefits of reducing carbon emissions, this project is anticipated to enhance the plant's ability to maximise the intake of recycled scrap materials. Furthermore, it will introduce a hands-free casting process, improving worker safety within the facility.

Constellium's commitment to these advancements aligns with broader industry trends towards sustainability and underscores its dedication to innovation, efficiency, and the well-being of its workforce. This funding represents a substantial investment towards a greener, more efficient future for the Ravenswood facility and the aluminium manufacturing sector.

In addition to its industrial prowess, the project is committed to enriching the local Ravenswood communities. A dedicated budget has been allocated to construct a new training and wellness centre catering to all employees, alongside an onsite childcare facility. Furthermore, the initiative extends its support by providing financial and technical resources to bolster local schools and universities.

Constellium Ravenswood is poised to embark on negotiations regarding the precise terms of the investment. This includes discussions on operational milestones and the timing of fund access throughout the anticipated five-year project duration—the ultimate details of the project investment hinge upon these ongoing negotiations.

"Ravenswood's aluminum industry started here in 1957 and helped drive the economy of this town for generations. But, as the people of this community know, it hasn't always been smooth sailing. The people of West Virginia and Ravenswood have sacrificed for generations to provide the energy and raw materials our nation needed to become the greatest industrial might the world has ever seen. I am proud that this $75 million investment will continue that legacy and help to grow the aluminum industry in Ravenswood while bringing new economic opportunity to the entire Mountain State," added Senator Joe Manchin.

"We are proud to partner with the federal government to accelerate zero-carbon technologies and reduce carbon emissions. This investment will not only support our facility in Ravenswood, a long-term supplier of the aerospace and defense industry, but also contribute to the community we proudly serve," said Brian E. McCallie, Vice President of Constellium Rolled Products Ravenswood.

About Ravenswood plant

Established in 1957, Constellium's Ravenswood plant in West Virginia is a pinnacle in the aluminium industry, boasting over 1,200 dedicated employees. As one of the globe's foremost facilities for aluminium rolled products, it manufactures an array of plate, sheet, and coil items crucial for aerospace, defence, transportation, marine, and industrial applications. In the fiscal year 2023, Constellium achieved revenue of €7.2 billion.