Continuus-Properzi S.p.A.

“Directly form molten metal and in one minute”, this was the goal of the late Ilario Properzi (1897 – 1976) when gave birth to the Continuous Casting and direct rod Rolling technique that changed an entire industry worldwide. The history of CONTINUUS PROPERZI, Milan Italy, is a six decades long history of the modern non-ferrous rod production worldwide, especially the one of aluminum and copper rod. It was, founded in 1947 by Ilario Properzi (Mordica Award 1973) the inventor and the promoter of the Continuous Casting (wheel and belt) and direct Rolling process (CCR) for all non-ferrous rod, and still is unanimously considered the world leader in the field of CCR lines for non-ferrous rod, with its over 400 lines installed world wide in over 50 years and over 250 line presently in operation. This is not only because of the number of lines produced and installed, but more for being the forerunner of new technological developments and ever improving performance, quality and efficiency. This technology in fact deeply influenced the industrial development of energy transfer and communication during the second half of the 20th century. “Properzi” became the synonym for this technology and, all over the world, “Properzi Rod” is used when referring to Continuous Cast and Rolled Aluminum Rod. In 1963 Continuus-Properzi entered the Copper Market, and in 1986 installed the first line in the world starting from 100% scrap, to produce CCR copper rod that met the most stringent international quality standards. Today coils of high quality copper rod are produced in one continuous operation only, from melting to casting, rolling and coiling thanks to the invention of Mr. Properzi and his son Giulio Properzi (Mordica Award 2003), president since 1976. In addition to this, special Properzi lines can produce rods of zinc and zinc alloys for metallizing purposes as well as lead and lead alloys that, for special applications, can be rolled down to approximately 4 mm diameter. Almost twenty years ago when it was introduced, the Continuus-Properzi Lead Alloys Strip Technology (CRS) for expanded battery grids has developed to become the state of the art of the industry. Widely accepted world’s major battery producers and car makers, it enables the production of the highest quality strip for both positive and negative battery grids. The increasing demand for better quality ingots in the non ferrous field prompted Continuus-Properzi again to develop a new equipment line, based on the so successfully proven technology of the casting wheel and belt. The first Aluminum ingot line was successfully commissioned in 1993. The first Brass ingot line was completed in 1996. During the year 2003 the casting machine Track & Belt dedicated to the production of aluminium ingots from primary or secondary metal was developed and several lines based on this concept are presently in operation. This new attainment provided relevant technologies for the casting and rolling process for the rod production. From basic lines of small production for cable makers in developing countries up to the “best of the best” realizations dedicated to special alloys for the most important Smelters in the world, the range of products - Continuus Properzi is able to quote - satisfies all the in between needs of Customers. Due to the quick changes and dislocations of the present and recent past a dedicated branch of the Company is now active in rebuilding and modernization of machinery changing owner, user of place.