Sep 13 2010
ESM is pleased to announce the groundbreaking of the newest Atomized Magnesium Metal Powder production facility in North America.
ESM has received the permit to build a new Magnesium powder atomizing plant at its Saxonburg, PA plant. Construction for the first phase of the new facility of a new 4200 sq ft. building will start in September 2010 with production to commence in the second quarter of 2011. The contractors for the plant will be all local companies in support of local business and ESM will be specifying the use of domestic building steel for an “All American” shop.
The President of ESM Special Metals & Technology, Inc. (ESM SMT), Dr. Hartmut Meyer-Grünow states the new Division will focus on Magnesium Metal Powders and Technology for Chemical, Countermeasures, Ordinance, Welding and other Applications. ESM SMT is bringing new production, with the latest technology both in quality and safety to the marketplace. This is being done based on many requests from the marketplace for a new supplier in North America.
The new Magnesium powder atomization plant will produce fine and ultrafine spherical Magnesium powders. These powders are essential ingredients for military countermeasures (flares) that are used to protect aircraft from missiles. Exact particle size and particle shape control are critical for the proper function of these countermeasures and ESM’s long time experience with the manufacture and handling of Magnesium powders for other industries and applications provide the ideal basis to diversify into these new applications. ESM is excited about this project that will provide the U.S. Department of Defense with a much-needed second source for critical countermeasure applications.
ESM’s former Magnesium Specialty Powders Division has been supplying chemical, welding, refractory, and pyrotechnics industries for 25 years with a variety of custom sized mechanically made Magnesium powders. The new ESM Special Metals and Technology company will combine these activities with the new atomized powder activities for a focused approach to these markets.