• Production
  • and recovery
  • of cathode
  • plates 

A UNIQUE
SERVICE

Cathode plates serve as ion sensors in the electrolysis process. Cathodic manufacturing involves assembling all cathode components to create a distinctive product that meets the excellence standards defined by the client.

Unique

Patented and exclusively operated by us

Environmentally friendly

Using friction stir welding (FSW) to reduce waste and pollution

Competitive

Fast, high-quality and cost-effective with our robotic technology

PLACATECH IN NUMBERS

Production

Over 1 million

plates produced

Recycling

Over 60,000

recycled plates

Technology

22.4%

FSW plates in production since 2021

Recovery

Up to 60%

recovery of raw material through optimized cutting

Economy

20 to 30%

savings for customers by recycling cathodes compared to buying new sheets

REUSE AND RECOVERY

Cathodes have a limited lifespan, but a significant proportion of the material remains viable and retains its properties. Through partnerships, we have developed an innovative process to recycle used plates.

Thanks to the Friction Stir Welding (FSW) process, we have established a robotic facility in our factory, enabling the repair or recycling of aluminum cathodes.

 

This eco-friendly installation leads to substantial cost savings, providing a competitive advantage in the market. Since its implementation, we have consistently devoted significant efforts to research and development, continuously enhancing the process.

Over 60,000 welds using FSW technology for recycled plates

FAQ

WHAT ARE CATHODE PLATES USED FOR?

Primarily employed in the mining industry, these plates are essential for the electrolytic extraction process, which separates zinc from the ore solution in which it is immersed.

WHAT IS THE LIFESPAN OF CATHODE PLATES?

Cathode plates, used in industrial processes such as electrolysis, generally have a lifespan ranging between 12 and 18 months. This lifespan can vary significantly based on environmental conditions, particularly corrosiveness. Manufacturers and operators must consider these factors when evaluating the durability and recycling potential of these essential components.

WHICH COUNTRIES ARE SERVED BY YOUR SERVICE?

We currently provide our services to Canada and the United States and are actively exploring opportunities to expand into Latin America and Europe. This expansion is part of our strategic commitment to meeting the diverse needs of a broader client base and strengthening our international presence.

ABOUT US

PLACATECH is a division of Groupe Tremblay, a company founded in 1953 and specialized in steel manufacturing and processing, on-site structure management, industrial maintenance, scaffolding services, industrial siding, engineering and drawing, as well as the production and recycling of cathode plates.

To learn more about the company and our history, visit our website.

GROUPE TREMBLAY

OUR TEAM

Based in Saint-Anicet, Quebec, our team is entirely devoted to the production and recovery of cathode plates.

In 2015, Soudures J. M. Tremblay unveiled the first robotic friction stir welding cell in production in Canada. After 5 years of research and development in collaboration with the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) and numerous partners, we have developed Friction Stir Welding (FSW) technology to extend the life of cathode plates. This innovation automates the welding process, opening the door not only to the mining sector, but also to the transport and aeronautics industries.

The FSW process recycles the raw material without the use of consumables or gases, resulting in a cost-effective and environmentally friendly process. We can recover between 40% and 80% of a cathode plate.

For any inquiries : info@placatech.com

THROUGH THE YEARS

In 1974, Groupe Tremblay began producing cathode plates. Placatech was created as demand for cathodes grew. Team ingenuity has been put to good use abroad, with the company exporting its technologies throughout North America, South America and Europe.

Our cathode plates first traveled to North America, to Big Rivers Zinc in Missouri and Kidd Creek Mine in Ontario.

Subsequently, the Mexican mining and metallurgy group Industrias Peñoles was able to count us among their allies by doing business with us for aluminum plates. In addition, we have been able to work as a partner in the world of metallurgy in Luxembourg, acting as a supplier of aluminum foil to sell components such as fused strip.

Companies such as Vieille Montagne in Belgium and Refineria De Cajamarquilla in Lima have taken our cathode plates to the other side of the continent. Both companies have carried out tests with our cathode plates.

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