The powder metallurgy process mixes metal powders prior to the actual pressing and sintering process and adds substances to aid pressing. In particular for carbide metal tool production, powdered tungsten is mixed with a carbon carrier substance. The final product is expected to maintain an even homogeneity despite short mixing times. Inhomogeneous metal powder mixes significantly impair the quality of the finished sintered materials or carbide metal tools. Lödige batch mixers are used with great success to achieve this required final product quality.

Metal powders and metal salts generally require treatment to distribute additives in a homogeneous fashion, activate surfaces or achieve oxidation or passivation. The Lödige mixing system is particularly suitable for these processes and can group several process steps.

Carbon anodes are required for electrolytic smelting during production of aluminium. Production of these anodes requires a reliable cooling process downstream of the heavy-duty mixer, so that the compactors can be fed with anode paste at a consistent temperature. The continuous Lödige mixer reduces the temperature of the paste reliably with an accuracy of +/– 2 °K. The substance is cooled using water (evaporation cooling) which is added directly into the mixer. Intensive mixing ensures a homogeneous temperature distribution within the paste.