Carmakers and other manufacturers will have access to a whole new generation of steel products thanks to a new agreement between Tata Steel Europe and South Korean teelmaker Posco, the pair said in a statement.
Tata announced a cross-licensing agreement with Posco which will allow the company to increase the range of products to key markets including the automotive and construction sectors.
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The deal will allow Tata Steel Europe to access physical vapour deposition (PVD) technology, an innovative process allowing steels to be given anti-corrosion coatings without the current requirement to heat them during the hot-dip galvanising process. This has the potential to allow for an increase in the number of steel products on which specific anti-corrosion coatings can be used.
In exchange the agreement means Posco will be able to produce Tata's patented MagiZinc, a hot-dipped galvanised coating providing increased press performance and enhanced corrosion protection even in harsh environments. Its formulation allows it to outperform conventional galvanised steel, Tata claims, which is why the coating has been widely adopted by the EU automotive and construction industry since its introduction in 2009.
The new PVD technology developed and patented by Posco is already adopted in the electronics industry but needs further development for automotive and construction applications. It will help Tata meet an emerging need for sustainable steel products for next-generation cars and buildings and will allow the development and production of high-performing steels demanded by global customers.
Hans Fischer, CEO, Tata Steel Europe, said: "[We] and Posco are both recognised as leaders in technological advancement and the two companies have a history of collaboration. By pooling our technical know-how, we will be able to develop and promote market innovation, strengthen our offering and give our customers in several key markets the innovative products they need to be successful."
Collaboration with Posco represents the next phase in Tata's ambition to support customers by making MagiZinc available globally.
Seoung Yu, Posco chief technology officer, said: "This is a mutually beneficial agreement which will help both companies to provide customers with access to innovative, value-added products. We have experienced considerable benefits in using PVD technology, while MagiZinc will help to bolster our offering by providing enhanced corrosion protection.
"We expect both [products] to gain wider presence in the global market through this partnership which will continue as an exemplary model of collaboration between the two leading global steelmakers."
