SAG establishes R&D center for Rheocasting

The SAG Group is building a research and test center for Rheocasting technology at its founding site in Lend/Salzburg. The aim is to optimize the process with the help of test facilities and a laboratory.

Innovative technologies for processing light metal alloys have undergone enormous development in recent years. These include Rheocasting – a special casting process in which semi-solid aluminium is processed into lightweight components with special material properties. In recent years, the SAG Group has earned an expert status in the field of Rheocasting and was the first company to bring this technology to series production.

“We have always strived to think ahead and offer our customers advantages with new ideas, services or methods. This, together with our extensive experience in aluminum processing and series production, makes us valuable partners for OEMs,” says Karin Exner-Wöhrer, CEO of SAG Group.

Vehicles “60 percent lighter” thanks to Rheocasting

The new center will serve as a hub for research and development. The aim is to further optimize Rheocasting technology and open it up for new applications in the automotive industry and beyond. This is an important step towards more CO₂ savings in mobility. The use of Rheocasting instead of steel components makes vehicles up to 60 percent lighter, SAG says. This leads to more range and lower energy consumption. In a first step, 750,000 euros have been invested in the new center, with further investments to follow.

The Salzburger Aluminium Group is an Austrian family-owned company with 1100 employees worldwide at nine locations in Europe, Mexico and the USA. The company, which dates back to Salzburger Aluminium, which was founded in 1898, has locations three locations in Austria (Lend, Schwarzach and Vienna) and subsidiaries in the Netherlands, Slovakia, Spain, Mexico and the USA. As a market leader in aluminum tanks for heavy trucks, SAG is a global supplier to many well-known OEMs. In addition, innovative lightweight components, air accumulators, compressed air tanks and special components for the commercial vehicle, rail and special vehicle industries are produced and delivered worldwide.

Featured photo: SAG