BENTELER has completed a major expansion and modernization of its casthouse at the Raufoss Industrial Park in Norway, marking an important milestone in the company’s sustainability efforts. The upgraded facility was formally inaugurated in the presence of BENTELER’s management, employees, and partners from across the industrial park and supply chain.
The investment will increase the proportion of recycled aluminum used at the Raufoss site from approximately 30% to 40%, with a long-term target of 50% by 2030. The modernization also reduces CO₂ emissions throughout the production process, supporting both BENTELER’s sustainability strategy and automotive manufacturers’ climate objectives.
Per Dale, Plant Manager at BENTELER Automotive Raufoss AS, said the project represents a significant step forward in sustainable manufacturing. He noted that the upgraded casthouse enables higher recycling rates and lower emissions while reinforcing BENTELER’s role as a supplier of environmentally responsible automotive components.
The project forms part of the “BAR Green” initiative, launched in 2023 to align production operations with circular economy principles. In addition to reusing internal production scrap such as extrusion waste, the plant is increasing its use of externally sourced and post-consumer aluminum scrap, significantly lowering the carbon footprint of finished products.
Infrastructure and energy systems at the site have been extensively enhanced to support these changes. Improvements include a newly constructed warehouse for expanded scrap and product storage, upgraded burner systems, and a new dust filtration unit. Waste heat from production processes is reused to heat the warehouse floor and dry raw materials, while excess heat from melting furnaces is supplied to the industrial park’s district heating network.
BENTELER Automotive Raufoss AS operates as part of the Automotive Components division and employs approximately 450 people. The site includes an in-house casthouse, three extrusion presses, forming lines, and advanced finishing facilities. It supplies premium aluminum components—such as bumper systems and suspension parts—to leading European vehicle manufacturers, now with an even lower environmental impact.
