Wieland to install new reheating walking hearth furnace

The new furnace will reduce emissions and enhance efficiency in copper alloy production, which is crucial for the United States market.

The Italian company Tenova has signed a contract with Wieland Rolled Products North America for the supply of a Reheating Walking Hearth Furnace coupled with a Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) DeNOx fume system. The new furnace will enable Wieland to boost premium copper production vital to the expansion of several strategic industries, the company said.
Tenova Italimpianti has designed the furnace with a processing capacity of up to 110 metric tons per hour. It operates with a natural gas combustion system featuring Tenova TR Flat Flame Roof burners with an integrated recuperator and post-combustor, delivering an impressive 90% reduction in NOx emissions through the SCR DeNOx system. This solution has already been successfully applied in reheating and heat treatment furnaces, demonstrating its effectiveness in significantly minimizing environmental impact.
According to Tenova, this project is part of Wieland’s investment plan to modernize and expand its East Alton, Illinois site. The plan includes the installation of a hot rolling mill to increase the production of high-quality copper and copper alloy components used in electric vehicles (EVs), EV charging infrastructure, and renewable energy systems. This major upgrade will elevate operational efficiency while reinforcing Wieland’s role in advancing technologies for a more sustainable future.
“This project is particularly meaningful for us because it integrates advanced combustion and fume treatment technologies to meet both performance and environmental targets. It’s a clear example of how we tailor heat treatment solutions to the unique requirements of non-ferrous production – a sector that is critical for the energy transition and the electrification of mobility”, said Francesco Memoli, Tenova President & CEO.
Source: Tenova