Products and solutions 08.02.2005 01:00
Arcelor and ThyssenKrupp Stahl to jointly develop high manganese steels
New steels to help global carmakers increase vehicle safety, slash fuel consumption as of 2006.
Luxembourg / Duisburg - February 3, 2005 - Arcelor and ThyssenKrupp Stahl agreed to combine R&D (Research & Development) efforts to reach a technological breakthrough in the area of highly resistant and highly formable flat carbon steels for automotive applications. On February 3, two of the leading global suppliers of steel for the automotive industry signed a multi-year Research & Development agreement to cooperate in the area of high manganese (TWIP/ Twinning Induced Plasticity) steels.
The new steel grades are to be used in the structural parts of car bodies such as body in white or chassis. With their combination of extremely high strength and superior formability the new steels target at allowing a reduction of weight by more than 20 percent while at the same time offering new opportunities to vehicle designers. The use of such products will enable car manufacturers to reduce the fuel consumption and increase the crash safety of new vehicles.
The first new high manganese steel product is to be made available to car manufacturers as of 2006 and could be used in vehicle production as of the following year. Continued joint R&D efforts will aim at the development of further advanced TWIP steels in the following years.
The field of cooperation between the two companies encompasses joint research and development on the metallurgy, composition and processing of high manganese steels. The R&D work will be shared between teams at the laboratories of both companies. New intellectual property such as patents produced in the context of the program will be jointly owned by the two companies. The joint R&D program follows years of intensive research carried out separately by both partners in close cooperation with their respective automotive customers.
Production, as well as sales and marketing of the new class of steels will be carried out separately by the two companies.
Arcelor is a leading force in the transformation of the global steel industry. With a turnover of 25.9 billion euros and shipments of 40.2 million tonnes of steel in 2003, the company is a major player in all its main markets: automotive, construction, household appliances and packaging as well as general industry. Arcelor employed 98,000 employees at the end of 2003 in over 60 countries. The company places its commitment to sustainable development at the heart of its strategy and ambitions to become a benchmark for economic performance, labour relations and social responsibility in the world of steel.
Web Site: www.arcelor.com">
ThyssenKrupp Steel is one of the world´s leading flat steel producers with an output of 17 million tons per year. In fiscal year 2002/2003 the company employed approx. 46,600 employees at more than 90 sites and achieved sales of 13.7 billion euros. ThyssenKrupp Stahl AG is part of the Carbon Steel Business Unit of ThyssenKrupp Steel. The company is the leading manufacturer of flat carbon steel in Germany, No. 2 in Europe and serves customers in over 80 countries. The main location is Duisburg, Germany, further production sites are located in continental Europe and international joint ventures are operated in China, among other places.
Web Site:
www.thyssenkrupp-steel.com
www.thyssenkrupp-stahl.com
Contact:
ThyssenKrupp Steel AG
Corporate Communications/Central Bureau
Erwin Schneider
Phone: +49-203-52-25690
Fax: +49-203-52-25707
E-mail: erwin.schneider@thyssenkrupp.com
Dietmar Stamm
Phone: +49-203-52-26267
Fax: +49-203-52-25707
E-mail: dietmar.stamm@thyssenkrupp.com
Bernd Overmaat
Phone: +49-203-52-45815
Fax: +49-203-52-25707
E-mail: bernd.overmaat@thyssenkrupp.com
Arcelor S.A.
Corporate Communications
Phone: +352 4792 5000
E-mail: press@arcelor.com
Patrick Seyler: +352 4792 2360
Luc Scheer: +352 4792 4455
Jean Lasar: +352 4792 2359