Public Funding for Firsteel Limited

Firsteel, a subsidiary of William King who are a family owned independent metals service centre and integrated supplies manager. William King operate some of the most technically advanced metals service centres in Europe. At William King we supply into the leading manufacturers in a range of industries including automotive, domestic appliance, metal packaging and construction. Our Key strengths enable us to work in close partnership with our customers and suppliers to add value and remove cost from supply chains. The Firsteel plant in Brockhurst Crescent, Walsall produces circa 14kT annually. Firsteel was founded in 1957 as an independently owned multi metals company. The company was the first in the UK to develop a continuously operated coil coating line. This technology has been further developed over subsequent years on the site to achieve market leading coated products supplied to every corner of the globe. The Firsteel business is a global pioneer in the development of continuously coated 'non-Stick' products supplied into the bakeware sector. In addition, Firsteel was the first UK company to develop adhesive bonded systems and retains its market leading position to this day. Firsteel's well-earned reputation in the industry assures experience and expertise in pre-finished metal technology. The main energy used in the process is in the form of natural gas for 3no. Ovens operating at high temperature and a thermal oxidiser, operating at higher temperatures. There is various pre-treatment cleaning sections and processes utilising gas burners. Electrical energy is consumed mainly by supply and extract air fans with various other process equipment such as bridle drives and equipment on the plant. Firsteel plan to undertake a comprehensive Feasibility Study focus on the Coating Ovens and Thermal Oxidisers. The study will aim to establish clear and beneficial options for: \*Exhaust from Ovens, thermal oxidisation with a view to determining the benefits of an RTO (Regenerative Thermal Oxidiser). \*Ovens airflow and air movements -- to determine recirculation, entry air, air distribution. \*System control -- to reduce energy during low or no production conditions. \*Waste Heat Recovery from exhaust emission systems. Initial estimates suggest as much as 80% of the natural gas energy used by the Oven and Oxidiser processes can be saved via the above process improvement measures.