Profile
The transition from Light Alloy Products Limited (a secondary aluminium reduction plant in a disused water pumping station) to Alpoco (a world leader in the production of aluminium and aluminium alloy powders, granules and needles) occurred as a result of 70 years of continual development of products, processes and markets. Evolving from salvaging crashed aircraft for recycling and eventual manufacture of aluminium powder under wartime conditions, to the current production of high purity aluminium particulate products worldwide. Some of the key events in the history of Alpoco are listed below.
1930’s – Light Alloy Products Limited establish a secondary aluminium reduction plant in a disused pumping station in Minworth, Sutton Coldfield.
1940’s – LAP began production of aluminium powder and was later sold to International Alloys. Metals & Alloys (Birmingham) Limited was incorporated, initially producing bronze rings and cylinders, then zinc oxide and finally using similar atomising technology to LAP began production of secondary aluminium powder.
1950’s – Metals & Alloys began production of 99.5% purity aluminium powders and fundamental studies of atomisation technology to improve plant efficiencies for production of the finer powder grades now being required. The first sales to London and Scandinavian Metallurgical Company Ltd (later to become our parent company) occurred in 1957.
1960’s – Development of atomising technology improved with the construction of a magnesium atomising plant, also capable of producing fine aluminium powders. With the experience gained a decision was made to build a new high capacity atomising plant alongside the soon to be constructed aluminium smelter in Anglesey, North Wales, in partnership with RTZ Aluminium. The name of the new company would be THE ALUMINIUM POWDER COMPANY LIMITED. A centrifugal atomising plant for manufacture of aluminium needles was also constructed in Minworth, but was operational for only a short while.
1970’s – Production of aluminium powder was transferred from Minworth to Anglesey and the plant formally opened on 4th May 1971. M&A were awarded the Queen’s Award to Industry for Technological Innovation for the development of the magnesium atomiser. As a result of explosions at other aluminium powder plants the first meeting of the US Aluminium Powder and Paste Association Safety Workshop was held, with Alpoco attending to represent UK producers.
1980’s – Alpoco buy out the RTZ stake in the company and install a second atomising line, doubling capacity. As a result of Alpoco’s improved performance it was awarded The Queen’s Award for Export Achievement in 1984. The Minworth atomiser was rebuilt to begin production of aluminium alloy powders and production of aluminium needles recommenced. A serious explosion occurred in Anglesey destroying the majority of the plant. The plant was rebuilt with safety of prime concern, improvements in atomisation technology also ensured production of spherical aluminium powders for the European rocket industry.
1990’s – With the closure of competitor plants, Alpoco becomes the only major producer of primary aluminium powder in the UK. This prompts London & Scandinavian Metallurgical Company Ltd, a major customer, to purchase the company and finance increased investment to improve and increase the quality and quantity of superfine products. This leads to the installation of a third superfine atomising line in Anglesey and purchase of a 51% share of the Polish atomiser Benda-Lutz.
2000 and beyond – Alpoco continues to be a major producer of fine aluminium powders for a diverse range of industries. Developments now are focussed on making and improving yields of even finer fractions, and increasingly the supply of aluminium alloy powders for the rapidly expanding aluminium powder metallurgy industry.
