en.Wedoany.com Reported - UK-based Bridgnorth Aluminium (BAL) has signed a five-year transatlantic supply agreement with Lotte Aluminium Materials USA, providing battery-grade aluminum to this global leader in advanced materials for the battery industry, expanding its influence in the electrification sector.
BAL employs 368 people at its production facility in Shropshire and is the UK's last remaining aluminum rolling mill. The agreement was signed at Lotte's plant in Elizabethtown, Kentucky. Through extensive joint development, certification activities, and ongoing collaboration, the two companies have established a foundation for cooperation in the North American battery supply chain.
Adrian Musgrave, BAL's Sales Director, stated that the agreement represents significant progress in the company's diversification strategy, accelerating growth in the battery materials sector. He noted that the transition to electric mobility and energy storage systems is a major industrial opportunity for this generation, and that the company's technical expertise, flexibility, and "green" production methods are at the forefront of this transformation.
Materials produced in Bridgnorth will be used by Lotte over five years to manufacture next-generation batteries, ultimately for electric vehicles and energy storage systems. Adrian Musgrave stated that battery foil plays a critical role in battery performance, making safe, high-quality supply partnerships increasingly important for manufacturers serving the electric vehicle and energy storage sectors.
This deal marks a successful year and a half for one of Shropshire's largest manufacturing employers, which has resumed 24/7 production. With support from the Viohalco Group, BAL has recovered from a challenging trading environment, with order coverage spanning printing, packaging, construction, energy, and electrification.
The company has created new jobs, bringing total headcount to 368, and invested over £2 million in the latest casting technology and dedicated slitting lines to improve efficiency and capacity. Adrian Musgrave added that these upgrades complement the company's technical expertise in developing high-quality aluminum materials, laying the foundation for targeting new areas.
BAL leverages cooperation agreements to engage in the early stages of projects, influencing specifications to ensure the supplied materials achieve the most effective performance. This reflects Lotte's trust in BAL, and both parties look forward to exploring how this partnership can support future mutual growth.
