The following is a collection of news from around the thermal-processing industry throughout the month of January.

 

  • AMG Advanced Metallurgical Group signed a definitive agreement to sell a 40% equity interest in its graphite business, AMG Graphite, by way of a capital increase in combination with a 10.33% equity interest in Bogala Graphite Lanka PLC to Alterna Capital Partners for $38 million. The transaction, which is expected to close during the first quarter of 2015, is in line with AMG's strategy to expand its critical materials business. AMG Graphite is one of the world's leading graphite producing and refining companies.
     
  • Harper International finalized a contract exceeding $3 million for high-temperature vertical and rotary reactors to support the East China Research Institute of Microelectronics (ECRIM). The systems will be used in the production of advanced ceramic materials for applications requiring high thermal conductivity, such as high-power LED lighting products. Harper’s combination of vertical and rotary systems will perform a reaction on materials in a controlled gaseous atmosphere at temperatures up to 2000°C (3632°F). The advanced graphite vertical furnace is designed to overcome the engineering challenges associated with such high temperatures and enable long furnace life.
     
  • Oerlikon Leybold Vacuum celebrated the 10-year anniversary of its Indian subsidiary. Although vacuum technologies from Leybold Vacuum had been present in the Indian market before, the subsidiary was founded to deepen the engagement with local market. Since inception, the company has offered complete application support along with an augmented service portfolio.
     
  • Outotec acquired Kempe Engineering’s aluminum smelter technologies as well as its service and spare parts businesses in the Middle East and Africa. Kempe is an Australian company that provides technology for aluminum smelters, modernization services and spare parts.
     
  • Worthington Industries acquired Rome Strip Steel Co. Inc. of Rome, N.Y. Rome manufactures cold-rolled steel to extremely tight tolerances, primarily for the automotive industry. The business will be integrated into the Steel Processing business unit of Worthington Industries and will add a third high-value-add, cold-rolling and annealing production facility to the company.