IBERFOIL inaugurates in the presence of the President of the Aragon Government the factory expansion

IBERFOIL has invested 15 million euros in the installation of the largest and most modern cold-rolling mill in Spain for aluminium coil and will increase its production capacity to 60,000 tons per year -from the current 20,000 tons-, that will expand its range of products to new applications and markets.

Iberfoil Aragón inaugurated last February 13th, with the presence of Javier Lambán, President of the Aragon Government, the expansion of its factory in Sabiñánigo (Huesca), which will triple its production capacity. Thanks to the new cold-rolling mill, which is the largest and most modern built in Spain for aluminum coils, Iberfoil will increase its production capacity to 60,000 tons per year – from the current 20,000 tons- and will expand its range of products to new markets.

The inauguration of the new production line, which started working in early January, was attended by more than a hundred guests, including regional and local authorities, customers and suppliers of the company. The official event agenda included a visit to the factory, led by Alibérico Group and Iberfoil President, Clemente González Soler, and Iberfoil General Manager, Aurora Rodríguez. The visit has been attended by the President of the Aragon Government, Javier Lambán; the Minister of Economy, Industry and Employment, Marta Gastón; the Minister of Citizenship and Social Rights, María Victoria Broto, and the Mayor of Sabiñánigo, Jesús Lasierra. Iberfoil acquired the assets (lands, buildings and machinery) of the former INASA in mid-2014, with the factory stopped and no workforce, and in just three and a half years has managed to increase production and generate more than 100 fixed-term positions, besides 250 indirect jobs created in Sabiñánigo region. At this moment, the factory works 24 hours a day, seven days a week and in five work shifts. The largest aluminium cold-rolling mill in Spain The expansion of Iberfoil factory has required an investment of 15 million euros throughout the years 2016 and 2017.

The key element of the new Iberfoil production line is the new cold-rolling mill, named Edelweiss and supplied by RDI-Fagor company. With a 1,750 mm width, it is the largest industrial machine of its kind existing in Spain. Its operating speed is 800 meters per minute and its production capacity is 40,000 aluminium coil tons per year up to 1,750 mm widths. Another feature that makes unique in Spain this cold-rolling mill is its ability to manufacture aluminium coils with thicknesses between 6 and 0.2 mm – so far, the three mills operating in the factory produce coil with 0.2 and 0.006 mm thicknesses, intended for flexible food packaging and pharmaceutical markets-. The new capacities of this cold-rolling mill will allow Iberfoil to expand the range of thicknesses and products to new applications, sectors and markets Like a curiosity, it should be point out that the new cold-rolling mill name, Edelweiss (flower of snow), follows the tradition of the names inspired by Pyrenees native flowers that name the other three rolling mills: Trebol, Cintia and Altea. Along with the new cold-rolling mill, a longitudinal cutting line with 250 meters per minute operating speed, two large annealing ovens up to 50 tons for aluminium temperature treatment and a roll grinder have been installed. Furthermore, the factory sheds have been expanded and electrical and electronic auxiliary equipment, compressed air, cooling water and fire services have been set up.

The President of Alibérico Group and Iberfoil, Clemente González Soler, stated that “this important financial investment will allow Iberfoil to increase its production, to diversify its product range and to gain market share, especially abroad. Overall, it will help us to boost our competitiveness and our growth. In little more than three and a half years, we have consolidated an industrial brand, Iberfoil Aragón, with a strong presence and international projection. We are especially proud of the drive of this industrial brand from Aragon and Spain to the rest of the world. Waging and supporting the industry is a guarantee of the economic and social territorial development”, he pointed out.

The President of the Aragon Government, Javier Lambán, also thanked the project managers for its expansion and stated that “Iberfoil factory in Sabiñánigo allows the creation of 100 fixed-term positions, 250 indirect jobs, besides converting Sabiñánigo plant in the largest and most modern cold-rolling mill for aluminum coil in Spain”. The President indicated that Iberfoil project helps to consolidate the industrial force of Sabiñánigo in Alto Aragón, contributing also to job generation in order to settle the population.

The President indicated that “the expansion of Iberfoil is in line with the capacity of Aragon to promote industrial projects like this that improve competitiveness, open new markets and generate wealth and employment. Our medium-term goal with projects like this is for Aragón to work on full employment,” he concluded.