Signs three-way JDA to develop high-performance high-pressure die casting aluminum alloys

BOSTON & TOKYO — (BUSINESS WIRE) — June 2, 2022 — NanoAL has expanded its commercial partnership with Mitsubishi Corporation RtM Japan Ltd. (RtMJ) by executing a three-way Joint Development Agreement with RtMJ and Nikkei MC Aluminium Co., Ltd. (NMA). This agreement follows the license agreement between NanoAL and RtMJ for additive manufacturing material technology (i.e., Addalloy® powders) back in February 2021. This partnership focuses on developing and commercializing advanced high-pressure die casting aluminum alloys to address multiple emerging markets, including automotive and consumer electronics.

High-pressure die casting recently got much attention after Tesla adopted it as a method to fabricate sizeable automotive aluminum frames with the casting machine called the ‘Giga Press.’ It is a process in which molten metal is cast into a die under considerable pressure to form a net-shape component. High-pressure die casting is fast, inexpensive, and requires minimal machining due to its excellent dimensional accuracy and smooth surface; therefore, it’s highly appealing to automotive OEMs. In addition, the achieved highly complex geometry also makes it attractive to other applications such as heat sinks for thermal management.

In this partnership, NanoAL will leverage its proprietary rapid alloy development framework to develop novel aluminum alloy chemistries that achieve a high combination of strength and thermal conductivity while being process-friendly with high pressure die casting. NMA will leverage its secondary aluminum production capability and expertise to drive scale-up and adoption. RtMJ will contribute toward the commercialization of the new materials utilizing its vast existing customer network.

“NanoAL’s proprietary alloying technology will help NMA, and its customers, overcome emerging challenges in material selection, design, and manufacturing processes for next-generation high pressure die casting aluminum products,” said Dr. Nhon Vo, CEO of NanoAL LLC.

“In order to achieve high performance and low environmental impact that is required by customers, it is necessary to improve the characteristics of the material. We believe that the distinctive technology of NanoAL is effective in improving those characteristics.“ said Hiroshi Horikawa, Executive Officer of NMA.

“Aluminum alloys are essential materials to achieve electrification and a circular economy in the next generation society and contribute to light-weighting in automotive and mobility industries. We hope this collaboration of development in high performance casting alloys with NanoAL and NMA will create a new value to users,” said Kota Ikenishi, Executive Officer of RtMJ.

About NanoAL, LLC

NanoAL, LLC is a material technology company dedicated to the design, development, and commercialization of high-performance aluminum alloys based on scientifically designed nanostructures. NanoAL develops several innovative products including the Addalloy® family of aluminum powders that are tailored for 3D-printing and high-strength rolled sheet aluminum alloys that are designed for lightweighting in automotive, food & beverage applications, delivering extraordinary performance and economics. NanoAL, LLC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Unity Aluminum Inc.

About Mitsubishi Corporation RtM Japan Ltd.

Mitsubishi Corporation RtM Japan Ltd., a subsidiary of Mitsubishi Corporation, is a metals and mineral resources trading company, which deals in a wide spectrum of general metal resources and materials, including coal and iron ore, aluminum, copper, and precious metals, as well as nickel, chrome, and rare metals.

About Nikkei MC Aluminium Co., Ltd.

Nikkei MC Aluminium Co., Ltd. is a multinational secondary aluminum manufacturer that supplies high-quality, high-function aluminum alloys to the die-casting and gravity-casting industries. NMA operates aluminum plants in Japan, the United States, Mexico, China, India, and Thailand. NMA is co-owned by Nippon Light Metal Company Ltd. and Mitsubishi Corporation RtM Japan Ltd.

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Matthew Simmers
Phone: 833-462-6625
Email: msimmers@unityal.com