“If steel fails, plastic has to take over,” says Michael Edlmair, who runs the company with his brother Karl. The company, based in Neuhofen an der Krems, has had the order on its books since October 1st, which is “in the low six-figure range”.
Edlmair supplies plastic elements for what it claims is the world’s first CO2-neutral steelworks in Sweden. This will go into operation in Boden in northern Sweden in 2025. To process the ore, the established technology of a direct reduction reactor will be relied upon, although this will not work with gas as before, but with green hydrogen. An electric arc furnace is then used to melt the connection with steel scrap.
The Upper Austrian company’s knowledge is also in demand for exhaust air filter systems. This is used to recover sulfuric acid. For a project in France, Edlmair uses plastic plates, pipes and welding wire that come from the Agru company in Bad Hall; The products are cut, sawn, milled, drilled, turned, heated and welded in Neuhofen.
Plastic all the way to Malaysia
Edlmair has already delivered plastic parts to China, Malaysia and Indonesia. The company manufactured special covers for the so-called “pickling line” for the Linz-based steel and technology group voestalpine. Pickling in a hydrochloric acid bath is an essential step in the production of cold-rolled steel coils. “We use plastic because steel would corrode far too quickly,” says company boss Michael Edlmair. Rubber coating as protection is possible, but the components are heavier and less durable.
Edlmair employs 13 people, invests two million euros and, in addition to plant construction, is also active in pipeline and container construction. Customers also include municipalities, swimming pools, water and power plants.
