Title: Grain Refinement: MQP’s Landmark Achievements
As MQP marks its 25th anniversary, the company reflects on its groundbreaking innovations in grain refinement, its adaptability to industry changes, and significant economic growth over the years.
MQP specializes in grain refinement, notably offering Optifine—a highly efficient grain refiner tailored for the aluminium sector. With Optifine, aluminium producers can achieve an 85% reduction in the amount of product added to melts in cast houses, leading to enhanced efficiency, improved operational processes, and higher melt quality. Additionally, this innovation aids in meeting sustainability goals by minimizing waste.
John Courtenay, the chairman of MQP, expressed pride in how far the company has come: “I set up MQP 25 years ago with a vision to improve melt quality in the cast house through expertise in grain refining, fluxing, degassing, and filtration. Our success with grain refinement and the introduction of Optifine stands testament to that vision.”
Over the years, MQP has raised the bar in the aluminium industry, helping producers save millions in operational costs. Today, Optifine is integral to the production of over five million tonnes of alloys annually across 45 major cast houses worldwide, including partnerships with both large corporations and independent producers like Metalimex.
Adapting to Industry Changes
The industry has evolved dramatically over the past 25 years, and MQP has been at the forefront of these changes. One of the significant advancements is the transition to a more sustainable, ‘closed-loop’ process for Optifine production. Innovations have been made to align with current demands for high tensile and ‘mirror-like finish’ applications in sectors like aerospace and electric vehicles.
A standout development is the Optifine 5:1 125 grain refiner, which offers a 90% reduction in addition rates compared to conventional grain refiners. This significant decrease in material usage not only enhances quality but also lowers emissions, minimizes waste sent to landfills, and cuts overall operating costs by up to 50% across different aluminium alloys.
These advancements are the result of a successful collaboration with the Brunel Centre for Advanced Solidification Technology (BCAST) at Brunel University of London, which is now in its sixth year.
In addition, MQP has pioneered the Opticast technology, which enables precise determination of grain refiner requirements in casting processes. This means no more guesswork leading to overusage, enhancing operational efficiency for cast house staff.
Key Takeaways for Contractors and Plant Engineers:
- Utilizing Optifine can significantly enhance melt quality and reduce waste in aluminium production.
- The Optifine 5:1 125 grain refiner allows for greater efficiency with lower material costs and emissions.
- Adopting Opticast technology can improve operational decision-making in cast houses, minimizing the risk of overuse.
Source: https://www.aluminium-journal.com/grain-refinement-mqps-landmark-achievements
