This week, we kicked off the 50th anniversary celebration of the ArcelorMittal Global Research and Development (R&D) Center in East Chicago, Indiana. It was August 1967 when the iconic building on Columbus Drive was inaugurated – a first of its kind industrial building showcasing the myriad of ways steel is used in construction. The festivities, which will continue throughout the summer, recognize the important role the center plays in innovating new steelmaking processes, products and solutions for our customers, while celebrating the diversity of the people who make it all possible.
ArcelorMittal Global R&D East Chicago is one of 12 global research centers in the ArcelorMittal family. East Chicago R&D is unique in that we are an end-to-end operation, meaning we work on all aspects of the business – starting with our mining operations, raw materials processing and improving the steel production route, to implementing the final use of a new product. Those learnings are implemented within our North American facilities and also shared with sister facilities throughout the world.
Below is a detailed overview of the teams that make up ArcelorMittal Global R&D East Chicago:
- While product is what everyone is most enthusiastic about, there is important work being done by our process research team to improve the reliability and efficiency of our processes as well. This team develops new manufacturing practices and advanced technological solutions that help ArcelorMittal make the best quality steel at the most affordable price and with the least impact on the environment. The team also helps to resolve difficult manufacturing issues at our operations by offering technical assistance.
- The plates, energy and infrastructure products team develops thick, flat-rolled steel products and solutions for our energy and infrastructure customers. End products include steel pipe used in tank cars, pressure vessels, and for the transport of oil and natural gas.
- Our automotive product research team creates new advanced high-strength steels (AHSS) for automotive customers as well as new coatings and coating application technologies. The qualification of these products, which allows for the implementation of safe and lightweight steel solutions in automobiles, is an important function of this team.
- The automotive product applications team is the first point of contact for new vehicle engineering groups within our auto customers. It is critical that this team understands the current and future needs of automakers, works with research teams to identify and develop solutions, and promotes solutions to our customers to ensure steel is used in the most effective, sustainable manner.
- And finally, the construction and manufacturing products team provides co-engineering and technical support to customers in the construction, appliance, and motor lamination markets. The team also leads new product development programs, coordinates technology transfers, and identifies new business and market development opportunities.
The steelmaking process and steel as a product have both evolved tremendously in the last half century. In fact, steel’s strength has multiplied by almost 10 times over the last 20 years, from 270 to 2000MPa tensile strength. More than 80 new steel products are under development, with an automotive steel grade portfolio of almost 200 unique steel grades, half of which were introduced in just the past decade.
What’s important to recognize is that these innovations and transformations don’t happen in a silo. Our achievements depend on our willingness to collaborate - among other R&D centers, across all regions and with our customers. At ArcelorMittal Global R&D facilities around the world, scientists and engineers must work together to provide steel product and process solutions to our customers worldwide.
East Chicago R&D not only plays an important role in the initial product research and development of new products, but the center is also heavily involved in the trials and implementation of the product, before it is cascaded to other regions.
For example, there is global collaboration in the development of third generation advanced high-strength steels for the automotive industry and fostered by the concept of “co-engineering.” Co-engineering, which was first introduced to the industry by ArcelorMittal, revolutionized the way we work with and develop products for our automotive customers. East Chicago Global R&D plays a major role in the development and promotion of 3rd generation advanced high-strength steels, now a worldwide focus for light-weighting and safety enhancement in the auto industry. When the first commercial launch of these new products takes place in the United States, East Chicago R&D plays a critical role in the testing and trials both in the lab and at our U.S. facilities where they will be produced. Learnings are then shared with Europe and other regions for implementation outside of North America.
Another example is the development of advanced steel grades for the hot-rolled energy market, for which there have been contributions made from our labs all over the globe. However, as the implementation of some of these breakthrough concepts is here in the U.S., the work is now being led by East Chicago.
We are also investing in equipment at Global R&D East Chicago to improve capabilities to simulate how to produce our advanced high-strength steels; simulate forming processes that will allow our customers to better understand how our steels will behave in the final part; and study the complex interaction between structure and properties of our steels.
All of the efforts taking place in East Chicago support our global R&D mission, which is to develop new products that create value for our customers, improve ArcelorMittal’s competitiveness, contribute to a more sustainable lifestyle, and continuously upgrade our knowledge and attract new talent.
Please join me in congratulating the more than 200 employees, representing 20-plus nationalities, who work at East Chicago R&D today, and show our respect to the hundreds of researchers and scientists who played a role in transforming tomorrow for our company and the industry over the last 50 years. Here’s to many more.
Learn more, watch videos, and see historical photos at RD50Years.com.
