in 2014, bluestar elkem will invest about 60 million norwegian kroner ($160,000) in the fast-growing southeast asian market and send more than 10 engineering technicians to the area.
in recent years, ferro-alloy and aluminum metallurgy businesses have witnessed rapid growth, leading to increasing demand for electrode paste and relevant carbon-based products. therefore, elkem has decided to build an electrode paste plant in sarawak, malaysia. the first phase involved an investment of $160,000 and is scheduled to finish construction in the third quarter of 2014.
“elkem hopes that the project will satisfy customer needs,” said asbjorn sovik, head of the company’s carbon business.
“we hope the project can go operational as soon as possible to meet the requirements of our new customers in the region and nearby to increase market share and help survive fierce market competition.”
elkem will use global cutting-edge processes, systems and technology in the plant, such as a new milling method that could reduce noise and dust, according to sovik.
“the plant is part of efforts by elkem to realize zero emissions and create a better working environment for workers and units,” said sovik.
“bluestar elkem has five carbon plants spreading across norway, brazil, china and south africa, with more than 400 experienced workers, and it will continue to branch out in the future,”said sovik.