Steel is one of the most widely used materials in the world. It is durable and can be recycled repeatedly, making it integral to a sustainable society. Intelligent lightweight steel construction offers the optimum balance between cost, weight, and crash safety, and therefore continues to be an important material solution in automotive engineering. The high-strength and ultra-high-strength steels this requires are constantly being developed and adapted to customer requirements.
The new tailor-made functional steel technology turns steel into a smart material that offers additional functions and application options. The conductor tracks integrated directly into the coating film mean that fewer components are required, saving important resources and therefore also protecting the environment. At the same time, the electronic components and the steel substrate can be easily separated at the end of their service life before being returned to their respective material cycles. An initial application in heating panels was implemented successfully together with a customer. Further customer applications are in progress.
Rail steels are constantly being developed in order to achieve high resistance to different wear-and-tear mechanisms. Most recently, a rail steel was developed with optimum resistance to denting on the rail surface. The process for approving this steel with increased toughness has already been successfully completed, and the track tests as part of Europe’s Rail will start in calendar year 2024.
Modular profile systems and standardized racking solutions for different autonomous robots in high-bay warehouses result in optimized material usage and the best cost/benefit ratio.
The development of the substructure for agrivoltaic applications, such as vertical solar and roofing structures, e.g., over fruit trees, has lead to the implementation of a first pilot system. The optimal use of land for agriculture and energy purposes with minimal impact on agricultural yields is still being investigated in collaboration with a research center. A patent has already been granted.