We value our partners. We are proud to cooperate with the companies and institutions that count on ArcelorMittal's technical know-how and expertise in their mission to create innovative, sustainable, and value-added solutions for their key markets. As our partnerships continue to grow, so has our newest Constructalia section – Partners.

Steel for construction

Our high quality steels are the perfect base for the creation of elements or finished products for use in a wide scope of the construction market. From heavy plates to organic or metallic coated coils, our production portfolio meets the highest demands in terms of resistance, corrosion protection, and aesthetics.

Meet our partners utilising our extensive Granite® range or corrosion resistant Magnelis®: Blachdom Plus, Budmat, and Regamet in their roofing solutions; BUCON for their steel tanks; Metpol with their plasterboard solutions; Meteor Systems and Zimmermann in their horticultural and agricultural systems; and InQuik for their innovative bridges.

Discover: Metal Union’s application of our metallic coated steels in their profiles, Gagnepark’s usage of sections and Cofraplus® for their multi-storey car parks, and Matière’s patented bridges with our heavy plates.

Steel promotion

From partnerships with associations promoting steel as a building material to new technologies and construction solutions with steel – and everything in between – we work closely with our partners to disseminate knowledge about steel in construction.

A new addition to our Partners section is ConstruirAcier, who inform and advise architects, engineering offices, and investors on the economic and environmental challenges faced by steel in architecture.

Text: Constructalia
Images: Blachdom Plus, BUCON, ConstuirAcier, Gagnepark, Matière, Meteor Systems, Metpol

ArcelorMittal Europe – Flat Products produces a wide range of steel plates including grades with the most demanding qualities for offshore applications in the energy sector. With the ongoing improvements at ArcelorMittal Gijón, Spain, our offer to the offshore wind and oil gas markets is set to expand with new feasibilities and the development of new grades. ArcelorMittal’s service level to customers and product development cycles will also improve thanks to a closer partnership between ArcelorMittal Projects Energy, ArcelorMittal Europe – Flat Products, and Global R&D.

ArcelorMittal's goal

ArcelorMittal’s goal is to offer the most comprehensive range of plates for the offshore energy market. The steel plates we produce are typically utilised in the sub-sea and visible parts of offshore wind turbines and in oil and gas platforms.

Plate offer meets global standards

The offshore plate grades produced by ArcelorMittal meet all relevant European (EN10225) and North American (API2W) standards. They are already utilised by leading manufacturers of offshore wind and oil and gas infrastructure. These facilities are operated by major energy producers around the world.

Two of the most common grades used in these segments are S355 M/ML and S355 G10+M in thicknesses ranging from 40 to 70 mm. The ‘M’ in the grade name indicates that the steel has been thermo-mechanically rolled. The process changes the properties of the steel and makes it suitable for use in applications where high strength and excellent toughness at low temperatures are required. That includes a variety of offshore applications such as the topsides of oil and gas platforms, offshore wind substations, and the subsea ‘jackets’ which serve as foundations for offshore structures.

One of the key features of ArcelorMittal’s offshore plate offer is its enhanced weldability. This ensures the steel can be welded without affecting its high strength or excellent toughness.

Investments expanding feasibilities

Investments are ongoing in Gijón to expand ArcelorMittal’s offer for offshore energy. The goal is to produce grades for offshore applications in thicknesses over 50 mm. Improvements have already begun and some of the new feasibilities are expected to become available during 2020.

On the service side, ArcelorMittal has established a working group including representatives from ArcelorMittal Projects, Flat Products, and Global R&D. The group aims to qualify ArcelorMittal’s plate mills with more of the world’s major wind energy and oil and gas producers. Another task for the group will be to gain welding prequalification for our thicker plates in accordance with European (EN10225 and NORSOK M-120) and American (API RP2Z) standards. As the group works closely with customers through co-engineering projects, it also recommends topics for research and development to anticipate future market requirements and meet new customer needs.

Research and development for offshore applications is carried out by the ArcelorMittal Global R&D Centre in Ghent, Belgium. The R&D Centre is equipped with state-of-the-art tools and facilities including a five-wire submerged arc welder, heavy-duty fatigue setups, and unique metal processing equipment. This enables ArcelorMittal to test plates, tubes, and pipes to support new product development. ArcelorMittal Global R&D Ghent also provides technical assistance to ArcelorMittal’s customers through co-engineering projects on topics such as lightweight design, fatigue improvement, and optimisation of welding processes. The research centre is a joint venture between ArcelorMittal and the Flemish Region.

New products in development

A key concern for offshore customers is corrosion. ArcelorMittal Global R&D is constantly developing new products which make offshore structures lighter, and reduce operational costs by improving corrosion resistance. To ensure their suitability for marine applications, these steels typically undergo field trials in harsh, real-world environments.

About ArcelorMittal Projects Energy

ArcelorMittal Projects Energy has a global network of offices to support customers wherever their projects are located. It acts as a one-stop shop for energy customers who are developing energy projects for wind and oil and gas.

ArcelorMittal Projects Energy can leverage all parts of the ArcelorMittal group to source products from different segments. The group also has specialty stocks of steel strategically located near major offshore oil and gas and wind energy production areas. That enables ArcelorMittal Projects Energy to provide a complete and customised range of steel solutions and services. They include dedicated project management and prefabrication almost anywhere in the world.

More info: ds.arcelormittal.com/projects

Text: ArcelorMittal Europe Communications
Photos: ArcelorMittal, curraheeshutter/Shutterstock.com, F. Schmidt/Shutterstock.com

Related link(s)

Wind turbines

Plates for the offshore energy market are produced at ArcelorMittal’s mills in Gijón

ArcelorMittal plates are used in the topside and sub-sea parts of oil and gas platforms and offshore wind towers

ArcelorMittal Global R&D Ghent has a unique set of testing equipment to for offshore applications

Testing components for offshore wind foundations at ArcelorMittal Global R&D Ghent

Looking for technical details for structural steel grades? Constructalia has got you covered. Check out our new steel grade pages that include mechanical, chemical, and coating property details.

Magnelis® structural steel grades

Magnelis® structural steel grades include: S350GD, S390GD, S420GD-HyPer®, S450GD-HyPer®, and S550GD-HyPer®.

These metallic coated structural steels are mainly used in construction, road and railway infrastructure, agriculture and farming, solar energy generation, and tubular applications.

Magnelis® is a flat carbon steel product coated on both sides with a zinc-aluminium-magnesium alloy. This alloy, composed of 93.5% zinc, 3.5% aluminium, and 3% magnesium, is applied by means of a continuous hot dip galvanising process. This optimum chemical composition has been selected to provide the best results in terms of corrosion resistance.

Indaten® structural weathering steel grades

Indaten® S355W structural weathering steel grades are fine grain, high strength structural steels offering high yield strength and improved corrosion resistance in specific aggressive environments. These grades have excellent weldability with all the usual welding processes because of their low carbon content and fine grained structure.

When used uncoated and exposed to bad weather, an oxide layer develops on the steel surface, forming a purplish-brown, finely grained patina that bonds very strongly to the steel and protects it. With their characteristic colour, steels with improved atmospheric corrosion resistance are used in architectural projects like bridges either to harmonise with the environment or to optimise maintenance costs all along the construction life cycle.

Text: Constructalia, ArcelorMittal Europe
Images: ArcelorMittal Europe Flat / PLP, ArcelorMittal Europe, Jannes Linders

Related link(s)

Indaten®

Indaten® cladding sheets

Steel grade S450GD+ZM100 Magnelis used for long span decking application

Steel grade S450GD+ZM100 Magnelis used for long span decking application - Proliling on the line

Magnelis: High strength steel for long span decking - profiling on line

Magnelis: High strength steels coil for long span decking application

The Research Institute of Sweden has renewed its certification of Magnelis® ZM 310 and its use as corrosion protection for steel sheets for indoor and outdoor applications. Its use is suitable for corrosivity class C5 according to the SS-EN ISO 12944-2 described class based on a deemed expected lifetime of 15 years.

This 'Type Approval and decision on production control' certification from RISE can be downloaded from our Document library.

Related link(s)

Magnelis®

Magnelis® ZM 310 certification by Research Institute of Sweden

RISE certification cover

Australian company InQuik has developed a unique method of building bridges which can be implemented quickly using only low-skilled labour. The globally patented technology utilises Magnelis® from ArcelorMittal Europe – Flat Products to create the formwork of a bridge, which is then filled with concrete to create the bridge deck. Although the bridges are designed for a service life of 100 years, experts believe that the use of Magnelis® could double that without the need for significant maintenance. With hundreds of thousands of bridges needing replacement around the world, the potential for the InQuik system is enormous. The innovative design of the InQuik system was recognised when it won the 2019 T.C. Graham Prize from the Association for Iron & Steel Technology (AIST).

The InQuik system

The InQuik system was developed by a family team including father and son Bruce and Logan Mullaney and Bruce’s brother-in-law, Jim Howell. Their original goal was to improve the systems used to transport modular housing with a collapsed container system. “When we went to register our idea of a reinforcement to hold the deadweight of concrete, the patent office told us this was completely new,” explains Logan Mullaney, now managing director of InQuik Bridging Systems. “We immediately started to think of other ways we could utilise this technology.”

With demand for bridges soaring globally, they seemed to be an ideal application notes Logan Mullaney: “We realised that by putting a truss in a reinforced steel shell we could hold the temporary load of the cement until it cured. Our first trial bridge was constructed on our own property in Australia. We built three in the first year and eight in the second year. This year, our third, we will install around 40 InQuik bridges.”

Magnelis® provides long-term strength

A key challenge was to identify a good material for the formwork which holds the concrete until it dries completely. “At first we thought about using galvanised steel, but over time this will rust and fall away,” says Logan Mullaney. “While the formwork is sacrificial, we realised that the sight of corroding metal would reduce user confidence in the bridge and increase the amount of maintenance required. We needed a more durable solution.”

InQuik was introduced to Magnelis® through a contact in Australia. “Magnelis® allows us to leave the formwork of the bridge in place as it has an aesthetically pleasing finish – and it is durable,” says Logan Mullaney.

Another key advantage of Magnelis® is the protection it offers to the concrete deck. “Because the formwork remains, the concrete and internal reinforcing steel are protected from corrosion,” explains Logan Mullaney. “That means the bridge will last longer. Engineers have estimated the useful life of an InQuik bridge could be well in excess of its 100-year design life, potentially up to 200 years.”

Confidence in quality

The Magnelis® formwork helps to contain plasticisers and water-soluble chemicals which occur in the concrete. Magnelis® ensures the preservation of natural resources as it uses significantly less zinc than pure zinc coatings. Zinc runoff is also reduced dramatically compared to galvanised steels.

“Magnelis® is not well known in Australia and we are one of the only companies utilising it,” notes Logan Mullaney. “But ‘Made in Europe’ is a quality label for Australian companies. Together with the fact that ArcelorMittal is the largest steelmaker in the world, this gives our customers – and bridge users – confidence in the system.”

Portable technology can be deployed globally

Magnelis® is imported into Australia from ArcelorMittal Bremen where it is produced. InQuik maintains a healthy stock in Australia as there is currently a four-month lead time on orders. “We’re looking how that lead time can be reduced so InQuik doesn’t have to maintain such a large stock of material,” notes John Robbins, export manager for ArcelorMittal Europe – Flat Products.

Compared to a conventional reinforced concrete bridge, the InQuik system is up to 90 percent more steel-intensive. However, the bridges are more cost-effective as they can be prefabricated and installation time is significantly lower explains Logan Mullaney: “InQuik bridges are standardised, pre-certified, and can be mass-produced. And it is possible to transport an entire bridge on one semi-trailer. You just back the truck up to the site, install the components, and then fill them with concrete. It only takes a small crane and a few days to build the bridge. Customers typically save between 20 and 50 percent compared to a conventional bridge due to the lower installation time and work, low risk, and less cranage.”

About InQuik Bridging Systems

InQuik manufactures standardised, pre-certified, mass-produced bridges which can be easily transported anywhere in the world. The solution makes building a bridge quick, simple, low-risk, and cost-effective. InQuik employs 15 people in its sales and delivery team and produces systems at three factories in Australia. InQuik is currently preparing for expansion into the USA, Asia, and other regions around the globe.

More info: inquik.com.au

The T.C. Graham Prize

The T.C. Graham Prize has been awarded annually since 2014 to the winners of the Association for Iron & Steel Technology’s (AIST) annual design competition. The winning entry receives a 20 000 USD cash prize. The purpose of the contest is to encourage, generate, and incubate ideas that may lead to the development of new markets for steel.

More info: www.aist.org

Text: ArcelorMittal Europe Communications
Images: InQuik Bridging Systems & AIST

Related link(s)

InQuik receiving the T.C. Graham Prize

InQuik bridge

InQuik bridge under construction

InQuik deck trays and abutments being delivered

InQuik bridge components are prefabricated

Magnelis® in the formwork of the InQuik bridge system

InQuik Bridging Systems logo

InQuik bridge

InQuik

ArcelorMittal Europe – Flat Products regularly joins forces with customers to create co-marketing opportunities. A recent event saw ArcelorMittal work together with Polish roofing specialist Regamet to promote organic coated steels to roofers. The goal was to increase sales. Results were very impressive with a 44 percent jump in sales of Regamet products made with Granite® steels.

Regamet and ArcelorMittal: partners for the long term

Regamet is a leading manufacturer of steel products for standing seam and traditional tiled roofs. The company buys many products in the Granite® range including HDX, Deep Mat, and Quartz. From August 2019, Regamet also started to use the latest member of the family – Granite® Ultramat.

“We purchase ArcelorMittal’s Granite® range to produce seven types of steel roof tiles,” notes Wacław Tryba, owner of Regamet. “We also offer trapezoidal sheets in seven different patterns and two types of roof panels. And then there are the accessories such as ridge tiles, water management parts such as gutters and downpipes, and fixing systems.”

ArcelorMittal provides graphics and assistance

When Regamet had the idea to undertake a major marketing campaign, they contacted ArcelorMittal for help. “ArcelorMittal shared graphics and helped us to fine-tune the messages for our network,” explains Mr Tryba.

That led to the development of posters and banners to promote the campaign at Regamet branches and other participating companies. Emails were sent to almost a thousand roofers.

ArcelorMittal helped Regamet to develop a range of co-branded helmets, caps, t-shirts, and thermal vests. Roofers could buy these promotional items, as well as a banner with their own contact details, for just 1 PLN (0,23 EUR) when they placed an order for more than 100 square metres of Granite® roofing products.

Photo competition adds new dimension to cooperation

The promotion also included a photo competition with prizes for images of the most interesting roofs made with Granite®.

At the end of the campaign, Regamet presented tools to the winners of the photography contest during the company’s annual training day for roofers in Kraków. “The results of the campaign were very satisfactory,” says Mr Tryba. “The roofers were eager to participate in the competition. 215 of them received clothes and gadgets or were awarded with tools. It has strengthened Regamet’s brand and increased awareness of ArcelorMittal’s roofing solutions amongst a key target group. The result? A 44 percent jump in orders for Granite® products.”

Would Regamet participate in a similar promotional event? “Absolutely,” says Mr Tryba. “Further activities are already scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2019 and beyond.”

About Regamet

Regamet is one of the leading manufacturers of metal roofing sheets and trapezoidal sheets in Poland. Their offer also includes a wide range of roof accessories and flashings made to individual customer orders. While Poland is the largest market for Regamet’s roofing solutions, the company’s products are also sold in Belarus, the Czech Republic, Germany, Slovakia, and Ukraine.

More info: www.regamet.com.pl

Text: ArcelorMittal Europe Communications
Photos: Regamet

Related link(s)

Regamet

Regamet logo

Regamet prize winners

Regamet tiled roof with Granite® Deep Mat

Regamet roofing with Granite®

Regamet roof with Granite® Deep Mat to recreate the look of a traditional zinc standing seam roof