theramer and Bet-Ker sign agreement for manufacturing cooperation for dry mixes

Schwelm, July 2009 - theramer GmbH, a division of the VGH Viktoria Garten Hüttenindustriebedarf Group, has signed an agreement with the Finnish refractory specialist Bet-Ker Oy. Bet-Ker, which is based in Ylivieska, Finland, produces dry mixes, monolithic refractory products and a wide range of both standard and customer-specific shaped parts.

The major focus of the new cooperation between the two refractory experts is the innovative dry mixes of Bet-Ker’s MagDryLine. These patented, inorganic dry mixes for the tundish wear lining can be applied in cold (<150°C), warm or hot tundishes (150-500° C). The patented "Cruiver", the special hopper required for the lining process which allows ultra-fast installation of the dry mix with a minimum amount of dust, is also part of the new agreement. The dry mixes are void of organic binding materials or additives and they cause no odours. Due to the fact that cooling or drying is no longer necessary, shorter tundish throughput times are achieved. Kyösti Ruotanen, R&D Manager of Bet-Ker adds: "Other key factors of our product are the minimizing of hydrogen pick-up and of oxide inclusions in the steel, higher energy efficiency and an improvement of steel quality."

In the first phase of the cooperation and during the know-how transfer, theramer will be importing the dry mixes directly from Bet-Ker in Finland. The mixes will be marketed under the VGH protected brand name Interfull as "Interfull DryMag". In future, the mixes will be produced in theramer's production facilities in Hattingen. In addition, theramer intends to successively implement further local, country-specific production sites.

For more information visit www.theramer.com and www.betker.fi