TRIMET Aluminium SE will replace the 30-year-old batch homogenizing furnaces at its Essen, Germany, production facility with a modern continuous homogenization furnace from Hertwich Engineering, a company of SMS group. The new unit, the second of its type in Essen, is scheduled to go into operation in September 2017. TRIMET’s heat-treatment plant, with the continuous homogenizing furnace, is designed for an annual capacity of 30,000 tons. Billet diameters range from 145 to 450 mm (5.7-17.7 inches), and the billet length is 7,700 mm (300 inches). The existing ultrasonic testing unit and ancillary equipment will be integrated into the automated material flow of the new furnace.