__________________________________________________________________________________ Advanced
Alloy Services
“ We plan to partner with Rolls-Royce for further R & D work on metal recovery , and the processes we ’ re developing will have significant potential for other businesses in the supply chain where alloys containing critical metals are used . We hope to quantify the carbon savings of recycling and recovery processes of critical metals versus the massive carbon emissions from overseas mining and refining operations . From prior studies , it ’ s estimated that the saving could be as much as 98 percent , which will be a significant driver for innovation within recycling and recovery processes .
“ While the UK is recognized as a global leader in innovation , many large companies do not always embrace innovation due to perceived risks , stretched resources , approval structure , and concern about shareholder value . In a world now focused on critical minerals and metals , it ’ s soul-destroying to see examples of poor recycling and revert processing .
“ AAS , however , is committed to supporting UK innovation . We ’ ve supported a PhD student for a couple of years , and we ’ re excited about the Knowledge Transfer Project with Coventry University and Innovate UK . We are trying to develop a process of recovering critical metals from superalloys using bioleaching technology , which would develop new or better routes of recycling and recovering metals , as well as supporting the resilience of UK supply chains and reducing the environmental impact from primary mining operations .”
Global presence
As our conversation ends , Stephen turns his attention to the company ’ s growth strategy moving forward . “ We want to establish a footprint in the UK , US , and Asia , as this combination will enable us to source and deliver to any of our customers quickly and efficiently ,” he shares . “ To bring together the different entities under one recognized umbrella , we ’ re forming Advanced Alloys Group .
“ We have a new JV project starting this year with the opening of a brand-new factory in Asia . This location will provide a perfect platform to process some of the material we source from Asia and for us to further expand sales in the region . We ’ re also expanding our capabilities in the US with investment and development of AR . We ’ ve installed processing equipment to enable us to source and process material domestically within the US , rather than coming to the UK first .
“ With the development of the US business , our JV in Asia , and the creation of the Advanced Alloys Group to cement the development of our global presence , we have a busy year ahead ,” Stephen concludes . “ Within the next five years , we hope to see a well-established global presence of Advanced Alloys Group around the core Advanced Alloy Services Ltd business . We believe that this will incorporate new innovative processes for better metal recovery and recycling and ultimately , we hope to be able to license this technology to other companies .” ■
www . advancedalloys . co . uk
manufacturing-today . com 69