ADVANCED MATERIALS & PROCESSES | JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2024 35 In 2000, GKN PLC purchased Interlake Inc., which gave them Hoeganaes along with several other companies. One year later, Höganäs exercised an option to sell their minority stake and the two companies became totally independent of each other in 2001. At that time GKN Powder Metallurgy was formed, which combined Hoeganaes and GKN Sinter Metals into the world’s largest powder metals business. GKN was eventually purchased by Melrose Industries PLC in 2018. Melrose spun off both GKN Automotive and GKN Powder Metallurgy together in early 2023 to form Dowlais PLC. A LANDMARK IS BORN In 2010, to acknowledge the original site of the introduction of tunnel kiln manufacturing used for the direct reduction of iron ore to ferrous metal powder, the Philadelphia Chapter of ASM International submitted a nomination package for Historical Landmark status and described some of the reasons the site is significant. For example, the plant established a high- volume and low-cost process that provided the basis for growth of ferrous powders from 30,000 tons to 1 million tons worldwide. This production process required enormous engineering innovation. Reduction of iron ore to sponge iron without sintering while removing impurities in the iron ore during the reduction process required special design features. The tunnel kiln process provided high-volume manufacturing needed for the developing ferrous-powder market. In addition, the uniqueness of the tunnel kiln was an energy-efficient and low cost process compared to other direct reduction processes of the era. In 2012, the Philadelphia Chapter received ASM Historical Landmark status for the Sponge Iron Powder Production Plant in Riverton, N.J. The official citation states: “Original site for the introduction of tunnel kiln manufacture used for the direct reduction of iron ore to ferrous metal powder for the global powder metal industry.” A plaque on the Hoeganaes grounds is a permanent reminder to all visitors of the importance of the site to the history of powder production.~AM&P Acknowledgments: The AM&P editors thank Alex Gladchenko and Chris Schade of GKN Powder Metallurgy/ Hoeganaes, Al Singmaster of Sing- master Personnel Services, and Patrick McGeehan of TPS Management Group, who provided historical and company information as well as photographs for this piece. Also, special thanks goes to the ASM Philadelphia Chapter for recognizing the significance of the plant location and submitting the nomination package for ASM Historical Landmark status. For more information: Alex Gladchenko, marketing and social media specialist, GKN Powder Metallurgy/Hoeganaes, 1001 Taylors Lane, Cinnaminson, NJ 08077, 856.829.2220 extension 3233; alex.gladchenko@hoeganaes.com, www.gknpm.com. This ASM plaque on the GKN Hoeganaes grounds is a permanent reminder to all visitors of the importance of the site to the history of powder production. A photo of the early days of the tunnel kiln, circa 1970s.
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