AMAG is working hard

Out of gas? “It’s not like the light switch”

Almost all of the natural gas consumed in Austria currently comes from Russia.(Bild: REUTERS)

Almost nothing works at AMAG without natural gas. How will the switch to electricity and hydrogen succeed at the aluminum producer in Ranshofen? We asked CEO Helmut Kaufmann. One thing is clear: the first concrete steps are being taken, but patience is also required.

Since the outbreak of war in February 2022, the various threat scenarios surrounding a gas supply cut-off from Russia have been omnipresent. At the end of the year, Ukraine wants to turn off the tap for Russian gas flowing through its country - a decision that seems to be unalterable. And then what? Many people in Austria are asking themselves this question, as almost all gas imports are still coming from this direction.

We have already commissioned the furnace manufacturer to convert two of our sheet metal heat treatment systems to electric instead of gas. However, we see this as a pilot project.

AMAG-Vorstandschef Helmut Kaufmann

Two thirds gas, one third electricity
Companies are working hard to find alternatives. The Schärdinger cheese factory in Feldkirchen near Mattighofen has put a woodchip heating system into operation, which should bring independence. And what is AMAG doing? The aluminum producer needs two thirds of the energy in Ranshofen in the form of gas and one third in the form of electricity.

Helmut Kaufmann has been CEO of AMAG since the beginning of the year.(Bild: Markus Wenzel)

"Green electricity is the most efficient and cleanest solution"
The Innviertel-based company is working on solutions along its own decarbonization roadmap. "Switching from gas to green electricity is the most efficient and cleanest solution," says CEO Helmut Kaufmann. This could also be feasible in almost all areas at AMAG, but not in all of them.

Hydrogen creates pores
In the foundry, the gas could ultimately be replaced by hydrogen - but this is associated with challenges. "Because this creates pores," says Kaufmann. Initial tests with hydrogen burners were carried out last year, "and we now know which direction we need to take". In other words: research work is needed.

At the same time, AMAG has already ordered two electric ovens for sheet metal heat treatment. "We see this as a pilot project," explains the CEO, "every oven behaves differently, so we have to develop different recipes. It's not like a light switch - simply turning one off and the other on."