GNMS: strong partner for the nuclear industry

To manufacture components for the energy industry, especially for nuclear plants, requires quality work of the highest degree, able to be reproduced again and again. This is essential for the safe functioning of plants which have risks attached to them, and it creates confidence among operators and the public. For sixty years, a wide variety of BUTTING products have been used in nuclear plants. After an order last year, the main plant in Knesebeck has received an order for a second batch, involving prefabrication of pipelines for the French nuclear industry.

Global Nuclear Metal Supply (GNMS) again commissioned BUTTING to produce welded components for the major "International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER)" project in the south of France. After the components for the first batch had been delivered successfully, now the components for the second batch for cryogenic pipes are to be produced in Knesebeck. The components, made from materials 1.4311 and 1.4307 are to be executed in the same way as the first batch, but unlike on that occasion, different nominal bores and quantities have been ordered.

GNMS is a European Economic Interest Grouping (EEIG) – a co-operation between European manufacturers and stockists. The shared objective of GNMS is to enable the direct supply of products to customers in the nuclear industry, thus offering an economical supply chain from the raw material supplier to the final product. Norbert Heinzle, Managing Director of BUTTING in Knesebeck, explains: "BUTTING is a member of GNMS, because in our opinion GNMS is the only premium company that provides packages in pipe construction for nuclear technology. All the products are produced exclusively by European manufacturers. This also combines the highest degree of flexibility with the engineering skills of small and medium-sized enterprises. Thanks to the worldwide network of members, custom product solutions or entire projects can be offered very quickly and economically."

Matthias Leber, from Sales Spools & plant construction at BUTTING, is convinced that membership of GNMS is necessary: "GNMS is a strong partner for the nuclear industry on the French market. Thanks to the co-operation of different renowned European producers, the association can take advantage of the individual skills and high-quality, high-value products of the individual members to help the nuclear industry."

Further information on GNMS can be found here.

BUTTING – Progress by Tradition