Relying on a range of tubes and connections that have already been tested as well as its R&D skills, the Group will install a Proof Of Concept offering a vertical solution aimed at reducing the footprint and thus facilitating integration into projects. This investment is a major step in the validation of the solution.
The company has also introduced a Wire Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM) production unit at its production and R&D site in Aulnoye-Aymeries in northern France. The capability to create 3D-printed products can enable a wide-ranging catalog of large-format metal parts, produced in small quantities, on-demand and close to their place of use. This method has the potential to substantially reduce lead times and inventory demands in complex tubular applications. The unique layer-by-layer metal deposition technique allows the production of complex parts and can be used to produce multiple forms while limiting the quantity of material used and, hence, the environmental impact of the manufacturing process. The technology has potential applications across a wide range of markets, including energy, transportation, and defense.
“These developments illustrate Vallourec’s commitment to continuous innovation,” said Philippe Guillemot, Chairman and CEO of Vallourec. “Their housing at the historic Aulnoye-Aymeries site, the home of our global R&D center, reflects the combination of the Group’s long-standing expertise and its embrace of new skills and technologies. The two projects presented today, the WAAM and our hydrogen storage solution, are part of our ‘New Vallourec’s plan aiming at accelerating our transformation and making our Group a key player in the low-carbon economy by 2050.”
