The plant will produce fine and ultrafine spherical magnesium powders for use in military countermeasures (flares) that are used to protect aircraft from missiles. According to the company, the powder will provide the US Department of Defense with a much-needed second source for critical countermeasure applications.
The president of ESM Special Metals & Technology, Inc. (ESM SMT), Dr. Hartmut Meyer-Grünow states the new division will also focus on technology for chemical, ordinance, welding and other applications.
Construction for the first phase of the new facility of the 4200 ft2 building will start in September 2010 with production to commence in the second quarter of 2011.
ESM’s former magnesium specialty powders division has been supplying chemical, welding, refractory, and pyrotechnics industries with a variety of custom sized mechanically made magnesium powders. The new ESM Special Metals and Technology company will combine these activities with the new atomized powder activities for a focused approach to these markets.
