Innovations

74 projects entered in Innovation Contest

Outstanding quality, high customer value and great market potential: these are qualities demonstrated by the winning projects in the Group's 2007 Innovation Contest, which attracted 74 entries. The contest was launched in 2000 to emphasize our capacity for innovation. Projects by scientists and engineers from outside Germany are steadily taking on increased importance.

First prize for TurboTrack from Elevator

First prize was awarded to a Spanish team from the Elevator segment for the development of the TurboTrack. This accelerating moving walk allows passengers to enter and exit safely at low speed, while the central section moves at a much faster 2.5 meters per second, or nine kilometers per hour.

The TurboTrack comprises a system of mechanical elements, a walkway made up of individual plates, and a high-tech control system. It can handle over 14,500 passengers per hour and cover distances of between 200 and 1,500 meters. As well as saving time for passengers, the system also opens up new design possibilities for public buildings such as airports. For example, two TurboTrack moving walks have already been sold to Toronto International Airport, and many other customers have shown interest.

Technologies successful with environment-friendly chemical process

Second prize went to the Technologies segment and the project "Uhde HPPO process". This is an environment-friendly process developed in collaboration with Degussa which produces the versatile chemical propylene oxide using hydrogen peroxide as an oxidant. Propylene oxide is frequently used as a feedstock for the production of polyurethane foam. The technology is energy- and material-efficient and the only other byproduct is water. This new process offers both economic and ecological benefits.

Steel raises its profile for automotive lightweighting

Third prize was won by a team from the Steel segment for the development of the so-called T3 profiling technology. This concept allows complex hollow sections to be produced quickly and cost-efficiently for the auto industry. A blank is formed and welded to a near-net-shape component in a single process step, including all ancillary design elements and openings.

The high-precision process utilizing completely new equipment technology allows the realization of previously impossible designs and a new dimension of part integration. It also saves on material and thus weight. The low-cost, weight-optimized tubular parts produced can be used for steel lightweighting solutions in auto construction, securing the use of steel in future vehicle generations. The new production process underlines ThyssenKrupp Steel's excellent standing in the area of innovative tubular products

Stainless develops alternatives to expensive chromium-nickel steels

Persistently high nickel prices are affecting customer behavior worldwide. In the USA in particular, but also increasingly in Europe, customers are demanding alternative materials with lower or no nickel content. To meet this demand, ThyssenKrupp Stainless has developed such materials in recent months; their processing and application properties are currently being tested for specific customers.

In addition, a decision was made at the beginning of 2006 to install a VOD converter at ThyssenKrupp Acciai Speciali Terni. This unit is currently being built and will start operation at the end of the 1st quarter 2008. The innovative VOD technology will allow Stainless to extend its portfolio of ferritic steels to include grades which can replace traditional chromium-nickel steels in some applications.