2. This year, what has been the company’s core mission?
In 2025, ABB remains committed to its core purpose to enable a more sustainable and resource-efficient future. This mission extends to energy-intensive aluminium plants, where we’re driving industrial transformation through safe and energy-efficient technologies, with the addition of using the latest digital solutions tailored to customer needs. We want to enable this industry and many others to run at high performance, while also becoming more efficient, productive and sustainable so they outperform.
Aluminium plays a central role in shaping such a sustainable future due to its versatility, light weight and endless recyclability. One key advantage of aluminium is that it counts as storing energy through its lifecycle because recycling it reclaims 95% of the energy used in its original production. At ABB, we support this journey through our techology involvement through the production side and recycling, with everything from electricity power management and distribution, through automated control systems, motors and drives, electromagnetic stirring and digital solutions – with AI, IoT and data analytics for instance.
3. What are some of ABB’s upcoming projects regarding aluminium? Do you have plans to expand into new areas/markets? If so, which regions are you focusing on?
The demand for aluminium is increasing in all regions. ABB is fully committed to supporting the ambitious growth plans in the Middle East, Europe, and the USA by refurbishing as well as building greenfield smelter projects.
Upcoming aluminium projects are based on field-proven and reliable products whose performance is being enhanced with digital features and add-ons.
Examples of ABB in aluminium include our recently-signed agreement with
Arctial’s low-carbon aluminium smelter project for Europe. As an investor and technology partner, ABB is carrying out in-depth feasibility studies for the project in Finland, assessing electrification and automation, including
high-power rectifiers, high-voltage switchgear, transformers, and substations. The project aims to build the first new primary aluminium smelter in continental Europe in over 30 years. In addition, on the industry-specific technology side, ABB is working with
GNA alutech’s aluminium alloys expansion project by fulfilling an order for four electromagnetic stirrers (AL-EMS). The stirrers will enhance furnace efficiency, reduce energy consumption by up to 10%, and improve aluminium yield. The project emphasizes reshoring, recycling and sustainable production practices.
As part of the Arctial project management organization ABB will carry out in-depth feasibility studies on electrification and automation for the Greentop low-carbon aluminium smelter project in Finland.
4. Are you planning to promote any products or services at Arabal?
At Arabal, stand 27, ABB will showcase the latest digital aspects of high-current rectifier control and monitoring technologies. ABB’s digital solutions leverage advanced analytics to provide insights into system performance and efficiency. This analysis can help identify trends, optimize energy consumption, and improve overall system effectiveness. In addition, metals industry experts will be available to discuss automation, electrification and digital solutions for aluminium production processes as well as furnace metallurgical improvements that can be achieved using electromagnetic stirring.
5. Additionally, are you looking to interact or collaborate with any other companies at Arabal?
ABB welcomes collaboration opportunities at Arabal across the aluminium value chain from smelter through casthouse operations to rolling and processing. Our high power rectifiers are of particular relevance to smelter operators, EPCs, EPCMs, consulting and technology partners & specialists on primary production.
6. Are there any recent investments the company has made? Any energy-efficient technologies? What are ABB’s recent milestones?
Part of ABB’s strategy towards innovation is working in partnership with others in the metals production industry, including original equipment manufacturers, technologists and industry bodies. Our recent publication ‘
Future-proofing metals’ considers the ever-growing demand for these materials for the likes of construction, transportation, infrastructure, packaging and technological advancement while also delving in to how these must be sourced and produced in line with a carbon-neutral future.
AL-EMS remains one of ABB’s advanced and ever-evolving technologies and is used to improve furnace efficiency by enhancing temperature and chemical homogenization. These stirrers can boost productivity by up to 25%, reduce energy use by 10%, and cut dross generation by 15%. By integrating with other automation, electrification and digitalization solutions, the potential for optimization can be endless. The future of production could look very different in order to meet the expectations of customers, consumers, legislation and society.
With proven, cross-industry expertise in electrification, automation, and digitalization, ABB is illuminating this low-carbon path. HPR make large-scale, fossil-free electrolysis possible, accelerating the shift to green hydrogen. ABB has demonstrated ‘
Real Progress in geen hydrogen’ recently with the delivery of rectifiers over 2.2 GW to support clean hydrogen production.
In secondary aluminium production AL-EMS electromagnetic stirring is supporting safer, more productive, repeatable and energy-efficient operations.
7. How have tariffs had an impact on your company, as well as the wider industry?
One key trend is the reshoring of various metals production, including aluminium. We see this in a range of markets and notably North America and Europe. There are requirements in place to reduce reliance on overseas sources, thereby shortening transportation distances, decreasing emissions and ensuring secure, sustainable supply chains. A recent survey indicates that 69% of U.S. manufacturers have begun reshoring their supply chains with a success rate of 94%.