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voestalpine to Supply phs Ultraform from New Indirect Press-Hardening Facility
Jan. 30, 2012 The Automotive Division of the voestalpine Group will supply a leading European car manufacturer with key components involving its patented “phs-ultraform,” a hot-dip galvanized auto body steel developed by voestalpine and formed during a new “indirect press-hardening” process. The order volume amounts to around EUR 700 million.
As a result, the voestalpine Group says it will produce sophisticated automotive components in countries such as China and the U.S. for the first time. The Group is investing around EUR 100 million for this global move into the automotive segment.
In addition to a comprehensive package of high-tensile security components, the agreement includes replacement and assembly parts for a new generation of successful models. Existing voestalpine production sites will be expanded and new sites established so production can take place in the immediate vicinity of each automotive plant.
The indirect press-hardening process required the construction of the world’s first such press-hardening facility, for serial production in Germany.The components are initially cold-pressed before being heated to 900°C and then subsequently hardened by cooling down to 70°C within just a few seconds. The corrosion-protected components manufactured using this process are said by voestalpine to be both considerably lighter as well as significantly stronger.
“The roughly EUR 100 million of investment, above all in China and the USA, is part of our globalization strategy. We follow European car manufacturers into their future markets where we significantly expand our presence,” said Wolfgang Eder, Chairman of the Management Board.
voestalpine is a globally active group with a number of specialized and flexible companies that produce, process, and further develop high-quality steel products. The Group is represented by 360 production and sales companies in more than 60 countries. With its highest quality flat steel products, voestalpine is one of Europe's leading partners to the automotive, white goods, and energy industries. The company also is a world market leader in turnout technology, tool steel, and special sections, as well as number one in Europe in the production of rails.