Innovation at Constellium

Our vision

Our R&D center and services

Our technology networks and best practice councils

Partnerships

Innovation Cells

Constellium has strong innovation capabilities and resources to satisfy the increasing demand for lightweight, energy-efficient products with reduced environmental impact.

Dedicated to innovation

Constellium’s approach to research and development resembles a multifaceted knowledge hub. We combine our own expertise and resources within leading research facilities with those of customers, universities, labs and other stakeholders.

R&D center: At our state-of-the-art research facility in Voreppe (France), our team of more than 170 specialists develops lightweight aluminium products, co-creates solutions with customers, and provides technological and analytical services. We also have an R&D team in Neuhausen (Switzerland).
Technology networks: Our 11 technology networks bring together R&D experts and plant engineers to share best practices and knowledge that drives operational excellence in aluminium processing.
Partnerships: We draw on our significant R&D resources and cross-pollination strategy with universities and research laboratories to provide customers with tailor-made solutions.
Innovation Cells: Our unit of scientific and business specialists helps each of our business units improve their products and processes, enrich their offer, and explore new markets and products, such as multi-material solutions.

Results in the field

With 150 active patent families, Constellium has a proven track record in creating new products and processes to satisfy market needs. Our knowledge hub boasts significant results. Scores of new aluminium products and designs are now making a difference across diverse industries.

Aerospace:

AIRWARE® technology dedicated to future commercial aircraft and spacecraft
Advanced alloys developed for the A380 aircraft plates and extrusions
Joining technologies such as Friction Stir Welding
Low-density alloys chips

Automotive:

Comprehensive product portfolio for auto body-in-white sheet and heat-exchangers
Innovations for crash management systems
High-tech profiles for low-emission hybrid engines

Mass transportation:

Lightweight EcoRange® technology
Energy-saving power rail system

Packaging:

Innovative can design
Lightweighting of beverage cans (modeling, prototyping)
Improved can-end performance (new alloys and coatings)

Solar energy:

Novel nano-ceramic coatings for bright reflector sheets

Constellium and standardization

Constellium is at the origin of many standards in the aluminium industry and has therefore been involved in a joint project with AFNOR (French standardization body) to develop the AluTool.

The tool compiles European general and applications standards for the aluminium industry. The manual features basic information on aluminium standards, while the software provides access to a fuller range of information on the various alloy families and their applications, chemical composition and mechanical characteristics.

Key-fact

Innovation at Constellium is bolstered by more than 170 R&D specialists, 11 technology networks and an innovation unit (Innovation Cells), as well as longstanding cooperation with external scientific networks and other stakeholders.