Join Steligence® for this free English-language webinar on Wednesday 5 May 2021 at 13.00 CET.

Topic: Looking for flat steels highly protective against corrosion for your building? Discover Magnelis®

Presenter: Jérôme Guth, ArcelorMittal Europe - Flat Products

Click here to register.

Raw materials play a fundamental role in the long-term durability and safety of buildings. Quality raw materials increase lifetime, reduce maintenance costs, and help prevent early and major repairs.

Magnelis® protects against corrosion three times better than galvanised steel, is easy to process (profiling, bending, cutting), has a lower environmental impact, and is available in a wide range of thicknesses and high strength steel grades.

In this free webinar, Magnelis® performances with facts and figures will be presented, including field test results in various environments. Its many applications and the value this product can bring to your building projects will be covered.

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ArcelorMittal Europe – Flat Products has created a new product designed for use in extreme climates. Granite® HDXtreme is the latest prepainted steel in ArcelorMittal’s organic coated Granite® range. Granite® HDXtreme is uniquely beautiful, resilient against corrosion, sustainable, and can be used in both indoor and outdoor applications. A three-layer coating system provides high levels of protection against UV and corrosion. This enables ArcelorMittal to guarantee the steel’s performance. Granite® HDXtreme comes in a vast palette of colours and three different finishes to make any project unique.

Three-layer coating system

The strength of Granite® HDXtreme comes from its three-layer coating system which ranges from 70 to 75 microns (µm) depending on the finish. Each layer performs a different but integral function.

The primer layer plays a key role in corrosion protection by ensuring the top coat adheres tightly to the underlying steel. On top of that is a polyurethane basecoat which ensures the steel’s durability and provides the final colour. The coating is finished with a layer of varnish which adds texture to the coating, increases durability and surface robustness, and enhances the UV weathering potential of Granite® HDXtreme.

Weathering resistance

Granite® HDXtreme already meets the requirements of the updated EN 10169 standard for continuously organic coated flat steels. Its exceptional UV resistance offers colour stability for many years. Granite® HDXtreme is also ready to pass the upcoming new RUV5 UV resistance standard when it is published later in 2021.

The coating has also been evaluated by exposing prepainted samples of Granite® HDXtreme to accelerated UV, humidity, and temperature variations for up to 4000 hours. Natural outdoor exposure tests have also been carried out at locations around the world.

Automatic guarantees

ArcelorMittal’s extensive experience and testing, including in highly corrosive seafront locations, translates into a long-term guarantee of up to 40 years for Granite® HDXtreme. The guarantee is applicable to roofs and facades as well as the installation of rooftop photovoltaic modules.

Samples

Samples of Granite® HDXtreme are available through our online sample shop.

Three finishes, almost 50 colours

Created in consultation with architects and designers, Granite® HDXtreme is available in a huge palette of colours and three different finishes: satin, matt, and sparkling.

The satin finish is available in either 15 or 30 gloss units (GU) and has a grained texture. The matt (<10GU) finely wrinkled finish is available in four colours, and a sparkling, grained 30 GU finish is available in five colours. The latter are amongst the most attractive and sparkly steel finishes available on the market. More colours may be added depending on demand. The low gloss, matt finish is ideal for large flat panels and cassettes, while the standard and sparkling finishes are more suited to small panels.

9 solano colours have been added to the colour palette. Click on the image below to view.

Highly sustainable

The steel is designed for roofs and facades on buildings near the sea, and its performance is guaranteed for up to 40 years. Free of hexavalent chromium and heavy metals plus 100% recyclable, Granite® HDXtreme is highly sustainable: it has a lower CO2 footprint compared with alternative solutions such as aluminium.

The first building with Granite® HDXtreme

ArcelorMittal Ghent’s Indi building in Belgium is the first building to be clad with Granite® HDXtreme. Located close to the industrial environment of the mill and the sea, Granite® HDXtreme was the ideal choice.

Text:
ArcelorMittal Europe Communications
Constructalia

Images:
Jeroen Op de Beeck and Philippe Vandenameele
ArcelorMittal

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Granite® HDXtreme banner

Indi building ArcelorMittal Gent

Government incentives and lower infrastructure costs are driving the boom in solar energy across Eastern Europe. Magnelis®, from ArcelorMittal Europe – Flat Products, is increasing the attractiveness of solar for investors as it extends the lifespan of solar farms. Two of Poland’s largest manufacturers of photovoltaic support systems are Energy5 and Corab. Both use Magnelis® to create long-lasting solar farms which will generate clean energy for decades to come. In solar farm applications, ArcelorMittal offers long-term guarantees on Magnelis® of up to 25 years. This ensures that new solar farms will provide an adequate return on the investment over their lifetime. Both Corab and Energy5 are using the advantages of Magnelis® to move beyond Poland and explore opportunities in nearby countries, and even further afield.

Magnelis®: “a game changer”

For Energy5, the Magnelis® success story began in 2016 when the company’s senior leadership met ArcelorMittal’s commercial and technical teams to share their vision for Magnelis® in solar structures. “We had tested Magnelis® at the Institute of Precision Mechanics in Warsaw, Poland,” explains Piotr Żbikowski, President of the Energy5 Management Board. “But a meeting with ArcelorMittal confirmed the outstanding corrosion resistance of Magnelis®. We knew it would be a game changer.”

Around the same time, Corab learnt about Magnelis® through its close relationship with ArcelorMittal Downstream Solutions Poland. “At Corab, we decided to utilise Magnelis® for its strength, exceptional anti-corrosion properties, self-healing on cut edges, and long guarantees,” says Henryk Biały, CEO of Corab. “Magnelis® is now the backbone of our installations and one of our main competitive advantages.”

The experience of both companies proves that the market requirements for durable structures and increasingly higher guarantees continue to grow. Therefore, they look to more advanced, high strength steels with even more durable metallic coatings.

Lighter and stronger photovoltaic solutions

Henryk Biały believes that Magnelis® has completely changed the solar industry in Eastern Europe. “Thanks to Magnelis®, solar systems have become lighter, stronger, and more resistant to mechanical and chemical damage. Traditional galvanised products have much lower corrosion resistance. To achieve a similar level of performance to Magnelis®, the zinc coating would have to be very thick, making the structure much heavier.”

The exceptional features of Magnelis® have enabled Corab’s photovoltaic systems to become more competitive on the international market. The company has now installed systems in 18 European countries, with a total capacity of more than 500 megawatts (MW) in the first half of 2020.

In 2020, Energy5 provided Magnelis® support structures for the largest photovoltaic plant connected in Poland to date. “This solar farm will have the capacity to produce approximately 50 MW of energy,” notes Piotr Żbikowski. “We are completing other complex solar projects, including an investment in Hungary. This project involves the construction of a photovoltaic power plant across four locations. When completed, it will have a total capacity of 80 MW.”

Production and product development support

Both Energy5 and Corab rely on support and new product development from ArcelorMittal to get the most out of Magnelis®. “We worked with ArcelorMittal to ensure the properties of Magnelis® are not affected during production,” says Henryk Biały. “As our designs meet their recommendations, ArcelorMittal can guarantee the corrosion protection of the Magnelis® we process.”

“We set new trends by constantly looking for innovative solutions that will allow us to deliver the safest photovoltaic mounting systems on the market,” says Piotr Żbikowski. “Energy5 is one of the first customers to test innovations in Magnelis® on different steels. Once these solutions are fully commercialised, we will be able to meet the growing demand from the market for solar structures with optimised structures and even better durability.”

Energy5

Energy5 is an international supplier of ground-mounted solar systems, roof and facade systems, and freestanding systems for parking spaces (AUTOBOX). The company provides individual and optimised design selection. Thanks to the high quality of their systems and comprehensive service (confirmed, for example, by TÜV Rheinland and national research institutes), the company has been able to expand their operations in Central and Eastern Europe.

Energy5 currently operates two production plants which supply fixing systems for photovoltaic modules to clients in Hungary, Lithuania, Poland, and Ukraine. The company’s manufacturing plants include five computer-controlled lines which enable Energy5 to fulfil orders quickly and produce special projects tailored to a client’s requirements.

More info: www.energy5.pl

Corab

Corab has specialised in the production of steel and aluminium products and traded in electronic parts for nearly three decades. This experience has made the company a leader in the manufacturing of solar energy systems in Europe and beyond. Production takes place in a modern plant which uses automatic processes, supervised by a specialised staff of nearly 250 people. Corab’s systems have passed numerous laboratory and strength tests which confirm their quality and safety. Systems bear the CE mark, confirming they comply with European standards.

More info: corab.eu

Text:
ArcelorMittal Europe Communications
Constructalia

Images:
Energy5
Corab

Related link(s)

Magnelis® for solar mounting systems

Installation of solar mounting systems with Magnelis®

Solar panels with Magnelis® mounting systems

Solar farm with Magnelis®

Close up of solar structure with Magnelis®

Magnelis® on solar frame close up

Large solar farm with Magnelis®

Energy5 manufacturing

Magnelis® for solar mounting systems

Henryk Biały, Corab CEO

Piotr Żbikowski, President of the Energy5 management board

Solar photovoltaic plants are designed to last at least 20 to 25 years. They are built in various climates (tropical, industrial, etc.), locations (sea shores, islands, etc.), or geological soils (including the most aggressive).

Supporting structures

The supporting structures for PV panels must withstand these conditions while generating minimal maintenance costs. These requirements are extremely demanding. For these reasons, ArcelorMittal offers Magnelis® - a steel with excellent corrosion resistance that is at least three times better than traditional galvanised steel. Magnelis® exhibits a self-healing effect in the event of scratches, which also improves edge protection.

Magnelis®: best in class solution

With excellent in-use properties and a wide range of feasibility, Magnelis® is one of the best in class and most cost-effective alternatives to post-galvanised steels. Since its launch in 2012, Magnelis® has been selected by many solar players around the world to provide superior protection for long-lasting mounting structures, even in the most adverse environments, and for several very large installations.

Innovations

The Magnelis® range is constantly improving, and the latest innovation is a new range specially created for rammed poles in soils.

Last but not least, the combination of Magnelis® with the new high strength steel grade S550GD-HyPer® offers additional opportunities for structural improvement for solar structures leading to reduced weight and costs.

Text: ArcelorMittal Europe Communications, Constructalia
Images: ES_SO / Shutterstock.com, Forming AG, PVH, CWF

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Solar panels

Solar farm

Solar panel mount

Solar panels under snow

Demand for convenient car parking is rising dramatically. However, the land available for parking is severely limited in many locations. This is making multi-storey car parks a very attractive option in city centres, near transport hubs, and at public buildings such as hospitals. To meet this demand in a cost-effective way, Kingspan, a leading building materials company, has developed a complete portfolio of solutions for car park builders. A key element is Magnelis® from ArcelorMittal Europe – Flat Products which Kingspan uses to form the deck of each level in the car park. As well as cost-effective forming and quick assembly, Magnelis® offers long-term protection against corrosion to ensure the safety and viability of parking structures.

The challenges of multi-storey car parks

Multi-storey car parks offer unique challenges for their owners. As well as providing safe and welcoming spaces for potential customers, they must withstand weathering from the elements – and the effect of de-icing salts and other chemicals which are tracked into the structure. Floors are particularly vulnerable due to the high level of moisture which enters the structure through its open sides or via rain and snow on vehicles. Moisture in the atmosphere typically condenses on the underside of the floor, making this part of the structure particularly susceptible to corrosion.

A complex product requires Magnelis®

To address these concerns, Kingspan has developed a multideck floor system based on Magnelis®. The system is quick to produce, lighter than alternative solutions, and simple to assemble on-site. “We create the deck panels by roll-forming the steel in our factory,” explains Phil Smith, Kingspan’s Managing Director for the UK and Ireland. “It is a complex product – the deck panels need to include cut-outs to ensure the concrete adheres to the steel. But Magnelis® is easy to form.”

In the final step, the ends of the Magnelis® deck panels are engineered to ensure that the concrete does not slip off as Phil Smith says: “The process involves crushing the ends of the panels slightly so that the concrete has a rough surface to adhere to. This is done about two to three weeks before the panels are installed.”

Once the steel decking panels are manufactured, they are transported to site and lifted into place. Concrete is then poured over the steel to form the deck. “In the past we have used pre-cast concrete slabs to form the deck, but this is costly,” notes Phil Smith. “Another option is to use pre-coated or galvanised steel, but the coatings on these materials are often damaged in handling, transport, and on-site. Magnelis® is the best and most cost-effective option as it does not damage easily during transport or handling on-site. And if it is damaged, the self-healing property of Magnelis® repairs any cuts or scratches that do occur.”

10-year guarantee a major advantage

A key advantage of Magnelis® for Kingspan is the guarantee ArcelorMittal can provide on request. Phil Smith explains: “By using Magnelis® we can offer a 10-year guarantee on our decks. That can be extended up to 20 years depending on the location of the car park and the thickness of the Magnelis® coating. Currently we use Magnelis® ZM310, but we are working with ArcelorMittal to test Magnelis® ZM430.”

Kingspan utilises ArcelorMittal’s technical support at all stages of the project. “We are quite often involved in projects where the environment is aggressive such as swimming pools, car parks, and installations which generate energy from waste,” says Phil Smith. “In these projects we involve ArcelorMittal during the design phase to ensure we are selecting the right materials. ArcelorMittal also organises R&D workshops to Kingspan to help us get the most from their offer.”

ArcelorMittal’s dedicated Client Technical Support (CTS) personnel also provide a direct link between the customer and the steelmaker. They connect the customer’s technical team to ArcelorMittal’s support and R&D teams to provide quick feedback and advice on technical questions.

Sustainability at every step

Kingspan offers a complete range of solutions for multi-storey car parks including the Magnelis® composite decks explains Phil Smith: “We also have barrier protection systems, perforated facades, and solar panels for the top floor so the car park can generate energy for lighting, ventilation, and electric vehicle charging points. Our goal is to create sustainable solutions at every stage. And steel is our material of choice to reach this goal.”

That commitment to sustainability has seen Kingspan switch both of its production centres in the UK to 100 percent renewable energy. Kingspan is also one of only 130 companies to make the CDP A-list (formerly the Carbon Disclosure Project), a position the company has held since 2016.

About Kingspan

Kingspan is a global leader in high-performance insulation and building envelopes. Originally founded in Ireland in 1965, Kingspan now operates in over 70 countries around the world and employs more than 14 000 people. The company manufactures a range of complementary building envelope solutions for both the new build and refurbishment markets.

More info: www.kingspan.com/gb

Text: ArcelorMittal Europe Communications
Images: Raised Floor Solutions

Related link(s)

Multi-storey car parks can accommodate a large number of vehicles in a relatively small space

Magnelis® can resist the corrosive effect of moisture which accumulates underneath each deck

Kingspan engineers the ends of each Magnelis® panel to ensure maximum adhesion of the concrete layer

Kingspan uses Magnelis® in their multi-storey car parks

Kingspan partnered with MetparkUK Ltd to install the Magnelis® decks in multi-storey car parks

Kingspan uses Magnelis® in their multi-storey car parks

Phil Smith, Managing Director of Kingspan in the UK and Ireland

Multi-storey car park banner

A multi-storey car park under construction in Manchester, UK

An impressive sculpture by Belgian artist William Roobrouck has been installed on a roundabout in the Belgian seaside town of Knokke-Heist. Known as ‘Proud,’ the sculpture features the stylised profile of a woman. “It’s based on a real person,” notes Roobrouck. “She is a woman from Macedonia and symbolises beauty, as well as the pride to be here in Knokke-Heist.”

The sculpture was installed in February 2020. A formal unveiling of the installation, planned for the spring, had to be abandoned due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Passionate about steel

William Roobrouck began working with steel at a very young age. “I was inspired by my grandfather. He was passionate about working with steel and being creative. I was exposed to that at a very young age and worked with him during the school holidays until I was 17.”

Now a full-time artist and sculptor, Roobrouck is inspired by nature. His creative process is very spontaneous as he explains: “I don’t sit at a table drawing plans. It begins with an idea which is usually a reaction to my thoughts, feelings, or nature. From that idea I create a digital model and then 3D print it. That gives me a visual form of the work which I use to create the life-sized version.”

Roobrouck works mainly with Indaten® weathering steel from ArcelorMittal Europe – Flat Products. “The finish of Indaten® is beautiful,” says Roobrouck. “Over time it develops an orange/brown patina which protects the steel from corrosion. It’s very organic.”

About Indaten®

Indaten® is a structural steel with excellent resistance to atmospheric corrosion, thanks to its protective and adhesive patina which evolves with time and the effects of the environment. Over time, the steel surface develops a beautiful purplish brown patina which acts as a protective armour for the steel.

William Roobrouck exhibition showcases the beauty and flexibility of Indaten®

A recent exhibition of works by William Roobrouck demonstrated the beauty and possibilities of Indaten® weathering steel from ArcelorMittal Europe – Flat Products. “Indaten® is one of my favourite materials – it’s a product of nature,” notes Roobrouck. “As well as being beautiful and strong, the steel can be formed in a lot of different ways. And it’s easy to recycle!”

The exhibition was held at the Art Center Horus in Latem (near Ghent, Belgium) in October 2019. Although the exhibition has closed, some works remain on display at the gallery. Roobrouck notes that the best time to see them is at night: “When they are lit by an orange light, you see the multi-faceted nature of the Indaten® finish. It’s warm and gives the viewer a very positive feeling.”

More info: artcenterhorus.com

Text: ArcelorMittal Europe Communications, Constructalia
Images: marijkethoen.photography & William Roobrouck
Video: Art Center Horus - Latem

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Video: installation of 'Proud' and interview with William Roobrouck (in Dutch)

The final piece of the sculpture is lifted into place

Sculptor William Roobrouck in front of 'Proud'

'Proud' dominates the flat coastal landscape

Sculptor William Roobrouck was actively involved in the installation of 'Proud'

'Proud' is formed from Indaten® weathering steel supplied by ArcelorMittal Europe – Flat Products

Over time, the patina of the Indaten® weathering steel develops to become a rich orange/brown

‘Me, myself, and I’ was shown in Rotterdam (the Netherlands) before moving to the exhibition in Latem

‘Me, myself, and I’ was shown in Rotterdam (the Netherlands) before moving to the exhibition in Latem

‘Désir Perceptible’ expresses the longing many couples have for a child

‘Proud’ on show outside the Art Center Horus

'Proud’ was installed at a roundabout on the A11 in Knokke-Heist during February 2020