Alusín Solar, a company specialising in the design, manufacture, and installation of metal support structures for solar panels, and ArcelorMittal are working together to lower the CO₂ footprint of Alusín Solar’s products.

Alusín Solar: producing solar poles with Magnelis® is more efficient than producing structures to be postgalvanised

Alusín Solar, a Spanish company which has supplied structures for the erection of solar panels representing a generation capacity of more than 850 MW in more than 32 countries, has signed an agreement to purchase ArcelorMittal’s XCarb® recycled and renewably produced steel with Magnelis® coating, a metallic coating which provides very high corrosion protection. XCarb® recycled and renewably produced steel is made using 100% renewable electricity and a very high proportion of recycled steel.

The partnership between Alusín Solar and ArcelorMittal shows that close collaboration at a local level can yield substantial benefits. In the framework of this collaboration, Alusín Solar has carried out its first tests on the production of solar poles using Magnelis®, which is a much more efficient method than producing structures to be postgalvanised. This solution will enable Alusín Solar to respond faster to its customers’ demands. A key factor for the success of this project has been the development by ArcelorMittal of an automatic 15-year guarantee for installation in soils for Alusín Solar.

XCarb® recycled and renewably produced Magnelis® now to be produced at ArcelorMittal Avilés to cover the Spanish solar market

These positive results arrive at the best moment as, starting in May 2023, ArcelorMittal’s plant in Aviles, Spain will be able to produce XCarb® recycled and renewably produced Magnelis® in thicknesses of up to 3.5 mm on its recently revamped galvanising line no. 1. This offers a 70% reduction in CO₂ emissions per tonne of steel produced compared with the conventional manufacturing method.

Until now, Magnelis® customers in Spain have been supplied partially (for thicknesses over 2 mm) from ArcelorMittal sites elsewhere in Europe. Having a local supplier able to cover the full needs of the solar market further reduces indirect CO₂ emissions as well as delivery times.

Alusín Solar will be one of the first customers to purchase XCarb® recycled and renewably produced Magnelis® from the newly revamped line following the successful technical cooperation carried out to optimise supplies of steel for the solar sector, thus providing a significant physical reduction in the CO₂ footprint.

The participation of ArcelorMittal Distribution Solutions Iberia in this process was also key to the successful optimisation of the supply chain.

Magnelis®: a product that offers multiple benefits

ArcelorMittal’s Magnelis® is a metallic coating that offers exceptional corrosion protection and ensures optimal surface protection against long-term wear and tear.

Thanks to its unique composition, Magnelis® provides an unprecedented level of surface and cut-edge protection, even in the harshest environments. Additionally, the self-healing effect of Magnelis® ensures the protection of uncoated edges from scratches and perforations.

It is precisely this self-healing effect of the Magnelis® coating that will enable Alusín Solar to start marketing, in the coming weeks, its CAREX technical walkways made of this material for use on roofs.

In terms of protection, Magnelis® performs up to ten times better than galvanised steel, and it outperforms coatings containing less magnesium. Thanks to the high durability and adhesion of the coating, the steel can be shaped using different forming methods including bending, drawing, and profiling.

Moreover, Magnelis® has a significantly lower environmental impact compared to other alternative materials, both in its production and during its service life.

Last but not least, it also offers greater freedom to optimise the design of the parts (thanks to the ability of Magnelis® to protect deformed shapes), the possibility of using a lower weight of Magnelis® coating (depending on environment) to obtain the same level of corrosion resistance, protection of flat and deformed surfaces as well as cut edges, and an optimised logistics chain thanks to its simpler production process.

Magnelis® is the best choice for a wide variety of applications. Its use is currently expanding towards other applications in a variety of sectors, such as:

•     road safety barriers
•     applications in the agricultural sector, including materials for the construction of chicken coops, greenhouses, ventilation systems, vineyard poles, etc.
•     industrial equipment, such as cable trays, cooling towers, etc.
•     tubes and profiles for building and construction applications

In line with ArcelorMittal’s commitment to offering products with a low CO₂ footprint, Magnelis® produced in Asturias will also be available under the XCarb® recycled and renewably produced brand and with XCarb® green steel certificates.

Key facts

• ArcelorMittal’s XCarb® recycled and renewably produced steel with Magnelis® coating will provide a 70% reduction in CO₂ emissions.

• Following the recent €10 million investment in galvanising line no. 1, ArcelorMittal’s plant in Avilés is able to meet the full range of requirements for Magnelis® for the solar panel market.

• The use of Magnelis® in the production of poles in metal structures for solar panels offers a highly efficient solution and is increasingly used in Europe.

About Alusín Solar

Alusín Solar is a company specialising in the design, manufacture, and installation of metal support structures for solar panels. Located in the Parque Empresarial Principado de Asturias business park in Avilés, Spain, the company has grown continuously since its foundation in 2010. It has produced and supplied support structures for solar panels providing a total capacity of 850 MW in more than 32 countries in 3 continents.

More information: Alusín Solar

Text:
ArcelorMittal Europe Communications
Constructalia

Images:
© ArcelorMittal, Alusín Solar

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Prepainted steel has been used for more than 50 years in Europe, so ArcelorMittal has had the opportunity to analyse in depth how its products actually behave in situ in different areas. Today, we are in a perfect position to assess the effects of time on our prepainted steel. Our integrated production process (from the hot strip mill through to coil coating) ensures full traceability and a high level of quality.

The latest innovation in coating systems not only increases the lifetime of construction products, but also reduces their environmental impact. Granite® has become a guarantee of quality, durability and sustainability. Architects and project designers, developers and contractors, and even insurance companies can be sure of specifying the right product for their projects, with a full guarantee up to 40 years.

Automatic guarantee: As soon as you buy Granite®, you are covered!

Non-perforation and paint adhesion are the main features to be guaranteed. But for many projects, stability of colour over time is essential to ensure that architectural buildings continue to look attractive and commercial buildings maintain their brand image. This is why ArcelorMittal includes all of these aspects in its guarantee.

The following table provides you with the basic details of our automatic guarantee. The full document is available on request.

Available for the whole Granite® range

The choice of coating for roofs and cladding depends on the external environment and the life expectancy.

For industrial or logistical buildings, a 10 to 20-year guarantee is often enough, but much more is expected for public and residential buildings, and in severe environments. To meet all of these requirements, ArcelorMittal has developed Granite® HDXtreme. Its multi-layer coating system is the universal answer to corrosive environments.

The guarantee is available for the whole Granite® range.

For further information, please refer to our guarantee text available on request or in SteelUser. For other areas or specific environments, we will be more than happy to consider your request. If you are in any doubt about which product to use for a particular application, we recommend that you take a look at Steel Advisor.

Everywhere in Europe

Our automatic guarantees are offered in all countries in Europe, as shown below. Guarantees may also be granted for other geographical zones – do not hesitate to contact ArcelorMittal.

Text:
ArcelorMittal

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©ArcelorMittal

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Build to last

The newest lecture in our SiCA: Steel in Construction Academy examines the corrosion protection of steel components in bridges for the design engineer.

Ensuring a sufficient service life

Bridges are generally built for a long service life - of over 100 years. They are subjected to wear arising from their use and the environment such as loads, wind, accidental damage, rain, de-icing salts, sun, etc. To ensure a sufficient service life, the right degree of protection against corrosion is required.

Several parameters influence the choice of a protective method: the required lifetime, the environment, design, and economic considerations. Learn more in our newest SiCA lecture.

SiCA: Steel in Construction Academy

SiCA is a self-learning online platform for those in, or joining, the construction industry focussed on the use of steel as the material of choice for construction applications and required performances.

Sustainable and circular construction, composite construction, steel performances, construction physics, applied stability, steel grades and qualities, and mechanical properties are just some of the topics covered in SiCA.

New lectures are being added regularly, and we will keep you updated!

Text:
Constructalia

Images:
Constructalia
ArcelorMittal Europe

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With the demand for electricity growing rapidly, solar energy production via photovoltaic (PV) modules installed on roofs is becoming a solution of choice for developers.

Prepainted steel roofing solutions are light, durable, and made from eco-friendly materials. They are also able to sustain the loads required for PV module installation. It's no wonder that installing solar PV systems on steel roofs is increasingly common.

However, some precautions should be taken with PV modules, such as ensuring enough space between the module and the organic coated steel surface to enable water drainage and ventilation. With this condition fulfilled, prepainted steels are the preferred material for roofs with PV modules - whatever the type of building.

Durability

Decision makers in construction projects agree that the durability of the prepainted steel should be at least equal to that of the PV modules - generally around 20 to 25 years minimum, depending on local environmental conditions.

ArcelorMittal's Granite® range of prepainted steel is the perfect answer with its long-term guarantee. Granite® HDXtreme is our best in class prepainted steel for solar roofs, with an automatic guarantee of up to 30 years when combined with PV modules.

Sustainability

With the electricity produced from solar PV roofs largely considered to be green energy, it is important that the chosen roofing solution offers the best sustainability performances throughout the life cycle of the building.

ArcelorMittal's Granite® prepainted steel products have already demonstrated their efficiency in terms of sustainability. Very thin steel substrate with high mechanical resistance and paint systems without heavy metals are just some of the features facilitating the low environmental impact of our Granite® range.

Thanks to XCarb® Recycled and renewably produced, breakthrough innovative solutions will soon be available for the Granite® range, including Granite® HDXtreme. The C02 footprint of Granite® HDXtreme will be more than halved, which will be certified by a third party and officially confirmed in an Environmental Product Declaration.

For solar roof projects, Granite® HDXtreme provides the best in class solution for durability, environmental impact, and the CO2 footprint – in addition to a large colour palette!

Text:
ArcelorMittal Europe - Flat Products

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ArcelorMittal

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ArcelorMittal Europe – Flat Products has an extensive offer of organic coated steels for roofing and cladding applications. Chief amongst them is the Granite® range which includes solutions for all types of buildings and climates – and an unmatched range of colours and finishes. Now Granite® HDX and Granite® HDXtreme are the first organic coated steels to be available with ArcelorMittal’s XCarb® recycled and renewably produced label. The label indicates that the steels are created with recycled content using renewable sources of energy. The environmental savings can reduce the carbon footprint of classic profiles by up to half. And at the end of their life, all Granite® coated steels can be fully recovered and recycled, making them an ideal solution for the circular economy.

Innovative and durable solutions

With sustainability top of the agenda in building and construction, ArcelorMittal’s organic coated offer provides architects, builders, and owners with a full range of innovative and durable solutions. When coupled with ArcelorMittal’s XCarb® recycled and renewably produced label, the carbon footprint of classic organic coated profiles can be reduced by up to 60%. For sandwich panels, the reduction is up to 36%.

“Combining ArcelorMittal’s XCarb® recycled and renewable label with products such as Granite® HDXtreme makes steel building systems both durable and sustainable,” notes André Lavaud, Organic Coating Product Coordinator for ArcelorMittal. “The advantages are very clear when you compare steel to other materials such as concrete and aluminium.”

Maximising energy efficiency

For owners who want to maximise the energy efficiency of their buildings, ArcelorMittal Europe – Flat Products can offer solutions which enhance the reflectivity of roofs and support solar structures. “Enhancing reflectivity is an easy way to reduce the amount of heat a roof absorbs and leads to lower cooling costs for the building,” says Patrick Le Pense, Segment Leader for Building Skins and Civil Engineering at ArcelorMittal Europe – Flat Products. “And it can lead to credits in building sustainability rating systems such as BREEAM and LEED.”

Reflectivity is calculated using the Solar Reflective Index (SRI). This industry standard considers a range of factors including location, the design of the roof, and wind loads to identify the right colour for the roof to maximise reflectivity. As SRI requires a complex set of calculations, ArcelorMittal can perform the calculation to identify the most appropriate roof colour for any building. And with more than 50 colours available for some of its organic coated solutions, ArcelorMittal Europe – Flat Products can provide the most suitable colour.

“Durability of the steel’s aesthetics is almost as important as its corrosion resistance,” notes Patrick Le Pense. “That is why all of ArcelorMittal’s organic coated steels are tested in a variety of real-life conditions around the world. This enables us to confidently guarantee that the paint layers won’t peel or discolour greatly over time.”

High strength solutions available

ArcelorMittal’s Granite® coatings can also be applied to high strength steel (HSS) substrates. “Organic coated HSS products can be thinner and lighter than our regular solutions,” notes André Lavaud. “They can be applied to roofs, facades, and structural elements to offer higher strength and lower weight. The use of HSS also reduces the amount of steel required which can have a positive impact on the building’s overall carbon footprint.”

Long guarantees support solar installations

Many building owners want to install solar installations during construction to reduce the energy use of the building during its use phase. To achieve this, they require roofing materials which can match the typical 25-year life of the solar structure. “Granite® is again one of the best options to meet this requirement,” says Patrick Le Pense. “Some Granite® products come with automatic guarantees of up to 40 years. With minor maintenance, that lifetime can exceed 50 years.”

Environmental Product Declarations

In some European countries, a life cycle analysis (LCA) is mandatory for residential and commercial constructions. The LCA measures the carbon footprint of the building from the production of materials to the building’s end-of-life.

“We are working to complete Environmental Product Declarations for our organic coated steels which take into account the XCarb® recycled and renewably produced label,” says Patrick Le Pense. “The EPDs will give customers all the information they need to calculate the carbon footprint of the building and its LCA. The EPDs for all products that can be purchased with an XCarb® recycled and renewably produced label will be available by the end of 2022. In the interim, ArcelorMittal can provide relevant information to customers for the LCA calculation.”

Text:
ArcelorMittal Europe Communications
Constructalia

Images:
Joris Ide
ArcelorMittal

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