Duisburg/Tokyo: ThyssenKrupp Steel AG, Germany, and JFE Steel Corporation, Japan, have agreed to extend their Comprehensive Cooperation Agreement for another five years. The agreement concerns the joint development of automotive steel sheet as well as related research and development. It was first signed in April 2002.

In line with the extension, JFE Steel has also agreed to license to ThyssenKrupp Steel its proprietary technology for JAZ (JFE Advanced Zinc). JAZ is high-lubrication galvannealed automotive steel sheet, which is environmentally friendly and has excellent press formability. ThyssenKrupp Steel and JFE Steel will build supply systems for the material in both Japan and Europe and will work to establish JAZ as a global standard.

Earlier results of the Comprehensive Cooperation Agreement include the development of common specifications for high-strength automotive steel sheet, as well as cross-licensing of ThyssenKrupp Steel´s CP complex phase steel and JFE Steel´s NANO HITEN (TM). A joint venture to enhance early vendor involvement (EVI) activities was established in 2005 and a tailored welded blank facility made by ThyssenKrupp Drauz Nothelfer GmbH has been working for JFE Steel´s affiliate Mizushima Kohan Kogyo Corporation since September 2004. ThyssenKrupp Drauz Nothelfer GmbH is a member of the Technologies Segment of the ThyssenKrupp Group of Companies.