Press Releases

ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe starts operation of new dust collection system [Daily press, 07.05.2012]

Sun, 06 May 2012 22:00:00 GMT

ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe has started operation of an additional 30 million euro dust collection system on the sinter belts at its Schwelgern plant unit. It is intended to further reduce particulate emissions in the north of Duisburg by up to three micrograms per cubic meter.

Sinter plants convert fine ore into a coarse-grained material suitable for charging in the blast furnace. The plant at ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe produces around twelve million tons of sinter per year. In the past it already had filters with a total surface area of 150,000 square meters which cleaned approximately a hundred billion cubic meters of gas per year. The captured iron-bearing dusts can be cycled back to the sinter plant.

To improve control of particulate emissions still further, among other things ThyssenKrupp Steel has installed an additional fabric filter downstream of the existing electrostatic gas cleaners. In addition, new high-voltage electrostatic precipitators separate particulates inside the sinter belt areas. At the same time, further particulate sources have been connected to the improved dust collection systems. This action by ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe goes beyond the measures recommended by the Clean Air Plan for the western Ruhr.

“The aim behind this voluntary measure is to help achieve a sustainable improvement in the particulate situation in the north of Duisburg,” says Dr. Gunnar Still, head of Environmental Affairs at ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe. “However our company cannot bring about lasting compliance with the standards on its own. The background pollution from traffic or other local sources is too great. Further efforts at federal and state level and an intensive dialogue among all parties are needed."

Reducing dust emissions has always been an important issue for ThyssenKrupp Steel, not just since the decision to invest in the new filters. In recent years the company has launched wide-ranging programs which have led to a sustainable reduction in dust pollution. For example, blast furnace 8 – commissioned in December 2007 – has a unique dust collection system for capturing emissions during rail car unloading. This system alone cost the company 20 million euros. Altogether, a quarter of the 250 million euro investment in the blast furnace was spent on pollution control. Together with the North Rhine-Westphalia environmental agency it has been proven that the new blast furnace produces virtually no diffuse dust emissions.

Back in October 2004 ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe began operation of a system to collect dust emissions from the casthouse and stockhouse of blast furnace 1. The 16.5 million euro unit cleans 1.8 million cubic meters of air per hour via 18 different extraction points. The investment was part of a 62 million euro program to reduce dust emissions from the Schwelgern plant unit, in the course of which the rotary coolers in the sinter plant were also enclosed at a cost of 33 million euros.

Plus for the environment: Chemcoater on coil-coating line 3 Siegerland plant now in operation [Trade press, 10.02.2012]

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 23:00:00 GMT

The new chemcoater on coil-coating line 3 at the Siegerland location of ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe significantly improves workflows on the coil-coating line – where paint and film coatings are applied to thin steel sheet – and actively contributes to protecting the environment.

Significantly less wastewater, reduced use of alloying elements and chemicals
The chemcoater is a piece of equipment used in the steel industry to apply chemical substances to galvanized flat carbon steel. These substances are water-based media with additives that pretreat the steel and increase the corrosion protection of subsequent paint and film coatings. The chemcoater carries out chemical pretreatment processes required for the subsequent painting process. A total of three different chemicals can be applied to the sheet via rolls. The unit operates on the basis of a reuse process so that no wastewater is produced except in the subsequent rinsing operation. “This six million euro investment virtually eliminates the need for chromium-based corrosion-protection pretreatments for organically coated parts,” says team coordinator Ralf Wittkowski. “By using zinc-magnesium hot-dip coated starting material, we achieve better corrosion protection results with thinner zinc coatings. Water consumption is also reduced: By using two five-stage cascade rinses we have reduced the amount of water we need by 8,000 liters per hour”.

Extensive modernization
The planning phase for the extensive modernization of coil-coating line 3 began three years ago, and the project was finally implemented last fiscal year. During the three-week shutdown when the chemcoater was installed, maintenance and cleaning work to ensure defect-free operation of the line was carried out. The paint- and film-coated steel produced on coil-coating line 3 is supplied in the form of coil, slit strip and cut-to-length sheets for use in the construction, appliance, garage door and auto industries.

Crew celebrates milestone: Europe�s biggest blast furnace produces 70 millionth ton of steel [Daily press, 03.02.2012]

Thu, 02 Feb 2012 23:00:00 GMT

The 540-strong crew of Schwelgern blast furnace plant is getting ready to celebrate a further milestone in what is still the first campaign of blast furnace Schwelgern 2 of ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe in Duisburg: The furnace, which went into operation in autumn 1993, will produce its seventy millionth ton of hot metal this weekend– it is Europe’s largest blast furnace and one of the biggest of its kind in the world. “Our blast furnace 2 is very cost-effective and environmentally friendly and has been producing very high-quality hot metal for the two BOF melt shops Bruckhausen and Beeckerwerth for 19 years,” explains Wolfgang Wiese, head of the Schwelgern blast furnace plant. “With the iron produced so far you could build almost 3,000 copies of Cologne’s famous Hohenzollernbrücke Bridge – this steel monument is more than 400 meters long and nearly 30 meters wide.”

12,000 tons of hot metal per day

The 90 meter tall blast furnace Schwelgern 2 produces around 12,000 tons of hot metal a day. Almost 19,000 tons of processed iron ore and up to 4,000 tons of coke are charged into the top of the furnace. The solid mass is melted by the injection of hot air at a temperature of 1,200 degrees and coal dust. This creates temperatures of up to 2,000 degrees. The hot metal flows into the bottom section of the furnace, where it is removed from two of the four tap holes. From there it is transported in refractory vessels by rail to one of the two BOF melt shops and further processed into high-quality crude steel, which is subsequently used to make car parts or domestic appliances such as washing machines and dishwashers.

Sophisticated design

ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe operates four blast furnaces at its nine square kilometer site in Duisburg. They produce around 11.5 million tons of hot metal a year. Blast furnace Schwelgern 2 was put into operation in 1993 after ThyssenKrupp had gained a wealth of experience in building blast furnace 1, the world’s first large blast furnace. “Blast furnace 2 has an extremely sophisticated design in terms of its refractory lining and furnace cooling system, and it’s still state-of-the-art today,” says Wiese. “The first reline is scheduled for summer next year, and the preparations are already in full swing.”

The key technical data of the furnace

Capacity: 5513 m³
Hearth diameter: 14.9 m
42 tuyeres
4 tap holes
Production: around 12,000 tons of hot metal/day; around 3,300 tons of ground granulated blast furnace slag/day as a basis for cement manufacture; around 12,000,000 m³ top gas/day for use in the mill’s energy network.

18 new experts in industrial firefighting [Daily press, 19.01.2012]

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 23:00:00 GMT

18 young firefighters have just completed an 18-month chief fire officer training course at ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe in Duisburg: All of them passed their examination, which is administered by Düsseldorf district council and tests knowledge in 53 subjects, with the grade “good”. The 17 men and one woman aged between 23 and 29 are on track to reinforce the steelmaker’s works fire department and replace retiring colleagues. As soon as they have completed ten months intensive practical and paramedic training they will be given permanent jobs at the company’s sites in Duisburg, Bochum, Dortmund and Siegerland.

Outstanding skills profile – sought-after specialists
The young firefighters – most of them are former RAG employees – have an outstanding skills profile. All of them had previously completed an apprenticeship in trades such as energy electronics specialist, mechatronics technician or mining technician. A further 18 months’ training under the wing of Wilhelm Schulte-Werflinghoff, head of the rescue service college, state-certified senior training officer and chief fire inspector at ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe, has made them sought-after experts in industrial firefighting: “Eight hours of lessons a day plus preparation and after-class work in firefighting, mathematics, German, physics, chemistry, rescue swimming, rescue from heights, driver’s license class CE and intimate knowledge of production processes in the steel industry give our young people not only the confidence and orientation they need for their challenging tasks but also excellent career prospects.” Sarah Palazzo, 23, production forewoman and freshly minted chief fire officer, is delighted at her additional qualification and the prospect of a permanent contract: “My job is exciting and varied – it’s a dream come true.”

ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe modernizing blast furnace 9 in Duisburg [Daily press, 10.01.2012]

Mon, 09 Jan 2012 23:00:00 GMT

Blast furnace 9 at ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe in Duisburg-Hamborn was shut down yesterday for a period of 180 days to allow the refractory lining and parts of the cooling system to be replaced. The steel producer is investing 37 million euros in this modernization project, which will improve the competitiveness and sustainability of the site. With demand for flat steel products currently weaker for inventory cycle reasons and likely to impact production until spring, the company is bringing forward the work to the end of May which was originally planned for 2014, making use of the window in the market. If orders recover following the end of the inventory cycle, short-term supply shortages can be covered from stock. During the shutdown of blast furnace 9, the other three blast furnaces – furnaces 1 and 2 in Schwelgern which have more than double the capacity, as well as furnace 8 – will run at full capacity to ensure optimum hot end operations.

Uninterrupted operation since 1987

The Hamborn blast furnace operations of ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe with furnaces 8 and 9 produce roughly 3.7 million tons of hot metal per year, which is processed into crude steel in the melt shops. Iron oxide-bearing ores are reduced with coke and coal dust in the blast furnaces to form hot metal. Originally built in 1962, blast furnace 9 was completely revamped and enlarged in 1987, since when it has produced around 40 million tons of hot metal. The furnace, which has an annual capacity of 1.7 million tons, would have been due for a complete reline in two years at the latest, as its current campaign, i.e. the period until the roughly two meter thick refractory lining needs to be fully replaced, was close to the end.

Blow-down, then modernization

To allow the repair work to be carried out, the furnace was first blown down in the night of January 8, 2012. For this, the blast furnace process initially continued in the lower area, with raw material charging gradually reduced until hot metal production came to a stop; the air supply was also sharply reduced and eventually also cut off. Once the remaining hot metal has been tapped, the old refractory lining will be removed. Work on relining the blast furnace and replacing parts of the cooling system will then be carried out. Roughly 2,400 tons of refractory material is needed for the new lining – 1,900 tons for the hearth and 500 tons for the shaft area. On completion of the work at the end of May, the blast furnace will be fired up again.

“The temporary shutdown of furnace 9 will have no negative impact on employment in the hot metal operations,” emphasizes Dr. Michael Peters, head of hot metal production at ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe. “On the contrary, we have requested all blast furnace employees not to take leave during the relining phase if possible to ensure the complex work can be carried out smoothly – for this we literally need every man we have.”

Second phase at the planning stage

In a second phase of the relining project, a modern dust extraction system with a fabric filter will be fitted at a later date – initially during ongoing operations – which will help further reduce dust emissions. After that, the casthouse will be modernized and a new inclined elevator installed. In addition, blast furnace 9 will then be given an attractive color cladding so as to match its twin, blast furnace 8, which was built a few years ago (start of production December 2007). Following relining, both blast furnaces in Hamborn will operate to the highest technical and environmental standards.

Hard work pays off [Daily press, 16.11.2011]

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 23:00:00 GMT

A total of nine former apprentices from ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe passed the Duisburg and Bochum Chamber of Commerce and Industry examinations with distinction in summer 2011. In recognition of their excellent achievement, they not only received congratulations and a personal gift from HR Director Dieter Kroll at mid November, but also the promise of a permanent employment contract with Germany’s largest steel producer. “Such outstanding results are unprecedented in the company’s history,” said a delighted Kroll on the record-breaking apprentices. “I am proud that these ambitious young people will soon be part of our permanent workforce, contributing their knowledge, performance and dedication to the success of the company."

Permanent contracts for the nine top apprentices
Kroll attributes the well above average performance of ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe’s apprentices to the young people’s strong personal commitment and motivation. However, he also underlines the high quality and outstanding training standards at Germany’s largest steel producer: “A successful apprenticeship at premium training provider ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe has an excellent reputation and is more or less the equivalent of a lifetime job guarantee. People trained by us are very much in demand on the job market.” As part of its social responsibility for the region, ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe traditionally trains many more apprentices than it needs.

Best in class at the Duisburg and Bochum Chambers of Commerce and Industry
At the Bochum Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Julia Arndt (19) and Melissa Rutetzki (20) qualified as the best office clerks in their year. Fabian Steppat (23) and Felix Hinz (21) finished top of the industrial electronics technicians. In Duisburg, Lutz Kemmerling (22) was the best industrial engineer, while Matthias Möller and Peter Lohmann were the top process mechanics. Phillip van den Boom (22) emerged as the best IT specialist in application development and Torben Schreiber (31) as the best IT administration clerk.

Next generation with ambitious career plans
The young people, who almost all completed their apprenticeships six months ahead of schedule, have ambitious plans for the future: The majority are now studying for a degree alongside their work – for example business administration, electrical engineering, business information management and mechanical engineering. “A degree is a big help if you want to get ahead – so the motto is lifelong learning,” says Lutz Kemmerling, industrial engineer and future mechanical engineer. The former apprentices are delighted with the praise from the HR Director and the permanent contracts: “Being able to join our preferred training provider is a massive opportunity for us,” says Fabian Steppat, who is studying electrical engineering in the evenings and at weekends alongside his job as an electronics technician. And – how do you become a best-in-class apprentice? “None of us were working directly toward that,” explains office clerk and future business manager Julia Arndt. “But anyone who finds their apprenticeship interesting and views it as an enriching experience will learn quickly and effectively – that was probably the case for all of us. And ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe challenged and supported us in the best possible way.” Fabian Steppat adds: “Because we shortened our apprenticeships, we had to do a lot of work ourselves and come up with our own solutions – that helped things stay in our memories better."

Applications for 2012 still welcome
By the way: Anyone who wants to be best in class at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in 2015 should apply for an apprenticeship place at ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe now. Applications can be submitted online at http://karriere.thyssenkrupp-steel-europe.com/en/career.htm l. The career prospects are particularly good for young people who want to become process mechanics or electronics technicians for automation technology.

GammaProtect�: Cathodic corrosion protection for hot stamping [Trade press, 07.11.2011]

Sun, 06 Nov 2011 23:00:00 GMT

For long-lasting corrosion protection, manufacturers of automotive components use galvanized steel: A simple truth, but one that only applies to cold formed parts. In hot stamping, above all in the highly cost-effective direct or one-stage hot stamping process, the corrosion protection question has always been far more difficult to solve. With GammaProtect®, ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe has now developed a new effective anti-rust finish that is also suitable for hot stamped components.

GammaProtect® is an electrolytic coating with a high melting point that withstands the extreme temperatures of hot stamping. As well as protecting against scaling it also provides active cathodic corrosion protection on a par with the conventional galvanizing of cold forming steels. The coating therefore expands the range of applications for hot stamping to include parts in the wet area of the car body particularly at risk from corrosion.

Hot stamping – or hot forming – is enjoying a boom in the auto industry because as well as meeting strict safety standards it also helps reduce vehicle weight. The strengths of GammaProtect® are demonstrated primarily in direct hot stamping, where steel sheet is first heated to around 900 degrees Celsius and then immediately stamped and simultaneously cooled in a special die. The rapid cooling produces components with strengths of up to 1,650 Megapascals, permitting the production of parts with thinner walls and lower weight.

With its relatively low melting point of 419.5 degrees, zinc liquefies in the heating phase of the hot stamping process. That is a risk in direct hot stamping: When hot blanks are stamped, liquid zinc can attack the microstructure of the material and cause cracks in the finished part. In indirect hot stamping this phenomenon is less pronounced because the part is first cold-formed before being heated and cooled to achieve the required strength, i.e. without being subject to any further forming stress. However, this method takes longer and is higher in cost than direct hot stamping. With GammaProtect® automakers can for the first time utilize the advantages of low-cost direct hot forming without having to forgo active corrosion protection.

Newly developed coating for higher melting point
The composition of GammaProtect® increases the melting point of the coating to over 870 degrees. And the zinc content is high enough to ensure it retains its cathodic corrosion protection properties. The coating is so resistant that it can tolerate timing variations in the production cycle, which ensures process stability. On the other hand, sheet coated with GammaProtect® can be heated at significantly faster rates, shortening holding time in the furnace by up to 20 percent compared with current production parts.

With the rapid growth in the range and quantity of parts being produced by hot stamping, shorter cycle times are a key development target. Using new heating technologies such as induction or infrared radiation, hot forming steels could be heated to the required temperature up to 100 times faster. Even under these conditions the new coating from ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe remains stable and provides long-lasting corrosion protection.

GammaProtect® has already been tested under near-production conditions and has demonstrated that it is suitable for all typical auto industry processing steps. Suitable joining techniques are adhesive bonding, resistance spot welding as well as MIG/MAG welding. The coating’s corrosion protection potential has been verified in extensive standardized tests.

The new coating is also suitable for the innovative tailored tempering technology, which is used to produce hot stamped parts with customized strength and elongation properties. In addition, the coating simplifies the production of tailored blanks for hot forming, known as Hotform Blanks.

With GammaProtect®, ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe AG has expanded its range of hot-stamping steels. To meet customer requirements these steels are also available in an uncoated variant and with an aluminum-silicon coating which prevents scaling and provides passive corrosion protection.

Second �Corporate Health Award� for ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe AG [Daily press, 04.11.2011]

Thu, 03 Nov 2011 23:00:00 GMT

For the second time in a row, ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe AG has won Germany’s leading prize for health management: the “Corporate Health Award” run by Handelsblatt, TÜV SÜD Life Service, and EuPD Research. The prize is awarded to companies with outstanding health management schemes – of the 237 companies that entered the competition this year, only eleven winners were chosen. Explaining the judges’ decision, EuPD stated: “ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe AG has received the Corporate Health Award in recognition of its innovative and holistic approaches to raising health awareness and maintaining good health among its employees. Health management is an established corporate value and is promoted through a wide range of actions. The health management system is supported by an outstanding demography project."

Recognition for sustainable health management
Dieter Kroll, CHRO ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe, collected the award in the “Heavy industry and engineering” category last night in Frankfurt/Main. “I’m delighted that our company health management system has again received such public recognition – what is particularly remarkable is that in our category we were ahead of entrants from the auto industry,” said Kroll. “At the same time I’m proud that ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe has defended its position as best in class – this year and last year’s awards confirm that we are on the right track and our health management is truly unique. Ideally it will be copied all over Germany – because demographic change with an aging workforce is a societal issue for which industry must find solutions."

Award for health shift, health officers, and health report
What exactly did ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe receive the award for? “The award recognizes a large number of innovative programs and projects focusing on sustainable health promotion in the company. The basis for this is an internal company agreement of 2008 which implements the health management system as a long-term corporate strategy,” explains Dr. Werner Mölders, head of the corporate department health management at ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe. “The main elements are our health shift, the nomination of health officers, and our interdisciplinary health report."

Health shift: Since summer 2010 over 2,000 enthusiastic employees have taken part in a very special kind of health day during working hours. The health shift comprises mandatory modules on particularly relevant medical issues such as back problems and nutrition, in addition to which the employees can choose from a number of optional modules focusing on different health issues. The company-wide roll-out of the health education program means that it reaches all employees regardless of their previous access to health topics. All participants undergo a checkup to assess their risk profile and their capacity for work. To help them achieve the health goals they set themselves, they receive coaching by phone after three months and after six months they visit the company physician for a further checkup and a personal consultation. The program is now being run on a permanent basis, with around 200 seminars a year; every employee is expected to sign up for a health shift every three years. An evaluation is carried out to precisely identify the economic and health benefits.

Health officers: These are specialists who are specially trained for this role. They are generally graduates with degrees in for example psychology or sports science, who subsequently undergo further medical and epidemiological training. The work of the health officers supplements that of the company doctors and safety officers. As part of their wide-raging activities they monitor the health situation at the company on the basis of performance indicators, identify the need for action and develop suitable measures.

Interdisciplinary health report: This is a report that each of the 439 team leaders at ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe receives once a year. It contains accurate and easy-to-understand information – for example on sickness absence, risk factor data, numbers of participants in health promotion measures, etc. – for each team leader’s area of responsibility. The reports naturally meet all requirements under data protection laws. The advantage of this interdisciplinary health report over a company-wide presentation is that each team leader can immediately compare his figures – against the company, his own department and other teams. This means that supervisors can see straight away – without specialist advice – what needs to be done and take action to promote the health of the employees.

Programs tailored to specific needs and target groups
“Sustainable health management needs visions and visionaries who are at the same time rooted in working life. Only then is it possible to tailor the company health management process to specific needs and target groups. One aspect of sustainability is providing evidence on the basis of performance indicators that company health management pays – also from a business angle,” says Kroll.

The 2011 Corporate Health Award is presented in eight categories for specific sectors and three special categories. The winners are selected by experts in the field in a multi-stage assessment system. 237 mainly large corporations entered in 2011, including numerous companies listed in the DAX 30 index. The Corporate Health Award honors sustainable company health management programs in the German-speaking area.

ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe to fund young researchers [Daily press, 25.10.2011]

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 22:00:00 GMT

From January 1, 2012 ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe AG will be funding a group of young researchers from Ruhr University Bochum. The computer scientists and mathematicians will carry out research jointly with the Interdisciplinary Centre for Advanced Materials Simulation (ICAMS) over a period of six years. The goal is to implement the materials models and simulations developed by ICAMS as efficiently as possible on high-performance computing systems. ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe is providing funds of 1.2 million euros for this work.

Developing materials on the computer
Before a material is put to use in industry, developers test its functions and response. In the future, this will be done increasingly with the aid of efficient computer simulations. Materials scientists, physicists, chemists and engineers at ICAMS are developing models for this. Put simply, they build theoretical new materials from individual atoms and simulate how these materials would behave during processing and use. For example, they examine the correlations between the strength of an automobile component and the chemical bonds between the individual iron atoms it is made of. Such multi-scale models place immense demands on computers and algorithms.

Methods for high-performance computers
Computer simulation and modeling of materials are regarded as key future technologies. To increase speed and efficiency, ICAMS intends to also use high-performance computer systems in the future. The “High Performance Computing in Materials Science” group to be funded by ThyssenKrupp, comprising one postdoctoral researcher and several research assistants, will investigate methods to enable materials to be developed and tested on high-performance systems. The ability to model materials on the computer and reliably predict their behavior in the real world will reduce the need for time- and cost-consuming trials and allow new materials to be brought to market more quickly.

Dr. Heinrich Hiesinger elected to Executive Committee of the worldsteel association [Daily press, 12.10.2011]

Tue, 11 Oct 2011 22:00:00 GMT

Dr. Heinrich Hiesinger, Chief Executive of ThyssenKrupp AG, has taken a seat, like his predecessor, on the Executive Committee of the worldsteel association (worldsteel). At the worldsteel annual conference in Paris, Dr. Hiesinger expressed the hope that European governments would succeed in responding decisively to the uncertainties on the financial markets as quickly as possible. It will only be possible to make reliable forecasts in particular for the core European and NAFTA markets when a solution is in sight to the financial market crisis in Europe. Facts and figures on the recently ended 2010/2011 fiscal year will be communicated at ThyssenKrupp’s annual press conference in Essen on December 6, 2011.

For the German steel industry, Hans-Jürgen Kerkhoff, President of the German Steel Federation (Wirtschaftsvereinigung Stahl), said yesterday in Paris that although economic prospects had clouded in recent weeks, he did not expect any fundamental reversal of the previous positive trends on the German and international steel markets. This assessment is in line with worldsteel’s Short Range Outlook for 2012, which predicts 5.4 percent growth in global steel output, with China still the main driving force.

ThyssenKrupp is a diversified industrial group. It has around 180,000 employees in over 80 countries developing ideas and innovations into solutions for sustainable progress. In fiscal year 2009/2010 ThyssenKrupp generated sales of more than €42 billion.

For us innovations and technical progress are key factors in managing global growth and using finite resources in a sustainable way. With our engineering expertise in the areas of “Material”, “Mechanical” and “Plant”, we enable our customers to gain an edge in the global market and manufacture innovative products in a cost and resource efficient way.

Organic photovoltaics for steel construction elements [Trade press, 07.09.2011]

Tue, 06 Sep 2011 22:00:00 GMT

ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe and Konarka Technologies are to work together to develop steel roof and facade elements with integrated organic photovoltaics. Konarka Technologies, a US company with a German branch in Nuremberg, is a technology leader in the area of organic photovoltaics, while the Color/Construction unit of ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe is a leading supplier of steel construction elements.

Unlike conventional silicon-based photovoltaic systems, the joint solution to be developed in the coming years will not need to be mounted on a raised structure but will integrate smoothly into the building envelope. The development will be based on PowerPlastic®, a solar module from Konarka Technologies with a photo-reactive polymer which when dissolved can be applied to various substrates. In addition to steel, suitable substrates include glass and other construction materials, as well as films and textiles.

The thin, light and flexible surface is applied to the substrate materials in a continuous process which is both cost-efficient and eco-friendly. Available in various colors, color combinations and sizes, the construction elements with organic photovoltaic cells will give planners and architects a great deal of design latitude. The technology also has other advantages: “Our product is environment-friendly and 100% recyclable,” says Alex Valenzuela, Konarka’s Vice President for Business Development in Europe.

As organic solar cells make optimum use of the sun’s energy even with unfavorable incidence angles or in weak or diffuse light, they are ideal for use on facades, where photovoltaic systems have rarely been used in the past. ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe intends to harness this potential for steel facade elements with photovoltaic functionality. During the production of construction elements, steel strip is coil coated with films, paint or plastic coatings. These continuous coating lines could also be used to apply the organic photovoltaic surface. Dr. Lars Pfeiffer is in charge of quality and development at the Color/Construction unit: “Organic photovoltaic technology can be ideally integrated into our production process. That would enable us to provide our customers with valuable additional benefits at low cost.” Alex Valenzuela adds: “In ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe we have found a competent industrial partner who – like us – uses automated roll-to-roll processes to produce high-quality steel construction elements. Our capabilities are the perfect match."

About Konarka Technologies

Founded in 2001, Konarka Technologies is technology leader in the area of organic solar cells. Central to the technology is a photo-reactive polymer which was developed by co-founder and Nobel Laureate Dr. Alan Heeger. The company holds more than 350 patents and employs around 110 people at its main site in Lowell, Massachusetts (USA) and its branches in New Bedford, Massachusetts, Nuremberg (Germany) and Linz (Austria).

About ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe

ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe AG and its subsidiaries make up the Steel Europe business area of the ThyssenKrupp Group. With a crude steel capacity of around 15 million metric tons per year, the company is Germany’s biggest steel producer and the second-biggest manufacturer of flat carbon steel in Europe. Including its subsidiaries, ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe generated sales of around 10.8 billion euros last fiscal year and employed roughly 35,000 people. The company is focused on the high-end segment of the flat carbon steel market and is regarded as a technology leader in steel production.

322 new apprentices at premium training provider ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe AG [Daily press, 01.09.2011]

Wed, 31 Aug 2011 22:00:00 GMT

The new apprentice training year started today at ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe AG. As of September 1 the company took on 322 new apprentices in 22 different occupations, bringing the total number of ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe’s own apprentices to around 1,193. Added to this are roughly 130 apprentices from other companies being trained on a contract basis. Apprenticeship training is provided at the company’s Bochum, Duisburg, Dortmund, Kreuztal-Eichen and Finnentrop sites. “By providing high-level apprentice training well beyond its own needs, Germany’s biggest steel producer fulfills its social responsibility for the future of the region,” emphasizes Dieter Kroll, Chief Human Resources Officer at ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe.

Apprentices in Duisburg, Bochum, Dortmund, Siegerland
205 new apprentices started work in Duisburg, 51 on commercial apprenticeships and 154 learning industrial/technical occupations. In Bochum there were 47 new apprentices (four commercial, 43 industrial/technical), and in Dortmund 35 (three commercial, 32 industrial/technical). In the Siegerland region the total intake of 29 included five commercial and 24 industrial/technical apprentices (in Finnentrop: six in total, including two commercial). Apprenticeships generally last three or three-and-a-half years. This can be shortened to two-and-a-half or three years for apprentices showing above-average performance.

Introductory week eases start to working life
To ease the transition from school to working life, all newcomers attend an initiation course from Monday to Friday – the company has been organizing this popular introductory week for more than 20 years. For example, the Duisburg-based apprentices are split into groups of roughly 50 and spend the week at youth hostels in Bad Neuenahr and Oer-Erkenschwick. This gives them the opportunity to get to know each other, their trainers and team leaders outside of work. In self-prepared presentations and interviews the apprentices introduce themselves to the others and pick up useful tips and essential information about their new work environment. For example: What products does ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe make? How is the company organized? But also: Where can I park? Where is the canteen? Where do I get my company ID card.

A key focus of the introductory week is health and safety – this is particularly important for people starting out on their careers who, experience has shown, frequently make mistakes due to a lack of knowledge. City tours, barbecue evenings and social activities round out this highly popular program.

Applications for 2012 now being accepted
Incidentally: Applications are now being accepted for 2012. Anyone wishing to start an apprenticeship with ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe AG in September 2012 can submit an application online at http://karriere.thyssenkrupp-steel-europe.com/en/karriere.htm l. The career prospects are particularly good for young people interested in becoming process mechanics or electronics technicians for automation engineering.

New appointments to Executive Board of ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe AG [Daily press, 11.08.2011]

Wed, 10 Aug 2011 22:00:00 GMT

In its meeting on August 10, 2011, the Supervisory Board of ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe AG made some personnel decisions that became necessary as Dr. Ulrich Jaroni is to leave the Executive Board and retire in 2012. Dr. Jaroni was appointed to the Executive Board in April 2002 and has been responsible for the “Production” directorate since July 2009. In view of the increasing complexity of the tasks and projects planned in connection with the strategic target of being “best in class”, the “Production” directorate is being split into two directorates, “Metallurgy” and “Rolling and Metallic Coating”.

Dr. Herbert Eichelkraut, currently member of the management board of the Steel Americas business area and at the same time CEO and COO of ThyssenKrupp CSA in Brazil, is to join the Executive Board of ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe AG as head of “Metallurgy” effective January 1, 2012. It has not yet been decided who will succeed him in his current positions. Dr. Heribert Fischer, currently head of the corporate department “Duisburg Hot & Cold Rolling and Galvanizing”, will become the Executive Board member responsible for the “Rolling and Metallic Coating” directorate effective October 1, 2011. The “Research and Development” department will now also fall under the responsibility of this directorate.

By resolution of the Supervisory Board, Peter Urban, Chief Financial Officer of ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe AG, has additionally been appointed head of “Controlling” on the management board of the Steel Americas business area with immediate effect. The post became vacant when his predecessor Reinhard Florey switched to the management board of the Stainless Global business area.

Further step implemented in the strategic development of ThyssenKrupp: Sale of Metal Forming group to Gestamp Automoci�n of Spain completed [Daily press, 20.07.2011]

Tue, 19 Jul 2011 22:00:00 GMT

On May 13 ThyssenKrupp AG decided on an integrated strategic development program to move the Group forward competitively and sustainably. The strategic development program encompasses portfolio optimization, change management, and performance enhancement. The goals are to reduce debt, enable growth, increase income, and create value.

As part of the optimization of the portfolio, the Group will be divesting businesses for which there are stronger alternative strategic options. In this connection a further milestone has been reached:

The sale of the Metal Forming group to Gestamp Automoción S.L. of Spain has been completed. After the European cartel authorities gave the go-ahead, transfer of ownership and payment (closing) took place on July 20, 2011. The parties have agreed not to disclose the financial terms. Dr. Heinrich Hiesinger, Executive Board Chairman of ThyssenKrupp AG, explains the significance of the transaction for the Group: “As part of the process of focusing on our core businesses, we are looking for solutions for businesses for which there are stronger alternative strategic options outside the Group. Following the successful placement of treasury stock, the disposal of Metal Forming represents a further contribution to improving the Group’s financial flexibility. ThyssenKrupp will systematically implement the announced measures”.

The Metal Forming group was no longer part of the core business of the ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe business area. For this reason the Group began negotiations on the sale of the company with potential buyers. Based on the best-owner principle, Gestamp Automoción proved to be an outstanding partner. Gestamp is a major player in the automotive supply sector with more than 70 locations and roughly 18,000 employees worldwide. In 2010 the company generated sales of around €3.1 billion in 20 countries in developing and producing metal components and structural parts for auto bodies.

ThyssenKrupp Metal Forming has production plants for high-quality chassis and body components in Germany, France, the UK, Spain, Poland, Turkey and China. The group employs around 5,700 people and generated sales of almost €1.1 billion in the fiscal year ended September 30, 2010.

Casting-rolling mill: 20 million tons of premium quality [Daily press, 12.07.2011]

Mon, 11 Jul 2011 22:00:00 GMT

The casting-rolling mill (CRM) at ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe AG in Duisburg-Bruckhausen recently produced its 20 millionth metric ton of hot strip. It will be used to help people stay cool in the summer heat: Processed into hot-dip galvanized sheet, the 20 millionth ton was supplied as part of a 21 ton coil to ventilation specialists Lindab AB, who will use it to build air conditioning systems.

ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe started production on the CRM in 1999. It was regarded as a technological leap in flat steel production and at the time was the first line of its kind to be installed in an integrated iron and steel mill. Today ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe plays a leading role in casting-rolling technology. The 600 million deutschmark line has proved to be an extremely lucrative investment: It produces hot strip faster, more energy efficiently and in excellent quality. That is why capacity on the CRM was taken up very quickly. “Today we could process far more orders than the annual capacity of two million tons permits,” says Dr. Helmut Osterburg, casting-rolling mill team coordinator at ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe.

The CRM combines the normally separate production steps of casting and rolling in one continuous process. Material from the CRM has a more homogeneous microstructure than conventionally produced hot strip. As a result, mechanical properties such as strength and elongation are also more consistent. The modern technology of the connected rolling mill provides for particularly close production tolerances and lower thicknesses on CRM hot strip.

Two new product lines from ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe made possible by the CRM – SCALUR® and microalloyed steels with cold performance – highlight the line’s strengths: After hot rolling, both products already possess a microstructure and dimensions with a level of uniformity and precision otherwise only attained through additional cold rolling.

Today the casting-rolling mill at ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe produces more than 50 different steel grades for customers in the automotive, appliance, construction and electrical sectors among others. These include grades which are regarded as difficult to produce due among other things to the higher casting speeds on CRMs.

For example, ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe produces large volumes of non-oriented electrical steel on the line, a soft-magnetic grade used in electric motors that helps significantly reduce energy losses. Another example of CRM products are manganese-boron steels for hot stamping, which are used among other things to produce safety-relevant automotive components.

Landmark building by the Caspian Sea [Trade press, 05.07.2011]

Mon, 04 Jul 2011 22:00:00 GMT

“The most important thing is motion, the flux of things, a non-Euclidean geometry …” As shown by this quotation from the catalogue for an exhibition at the Vienna Museum of Applied Arts, the Iraqi-British architect Zaha Hadid prefers flowing forms. An impressive example of this concept is currently being built in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan: the Heydar Aliyev Congress Center, designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, with an envelope made from more than 30,000 square meters of construction elements from ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe.

The capital of the oil and gas-rich republic is giving itself a 57,519 square meter building that will house a conference area with three auditoriums, a museum and a library. Named after the predecessor and father of today’s president of Azerbaijan and situated close to the city center, the building will play a pivotal role in the cultural and intellectual life of the city on the Caspian Sea.

The building’s design idiom is all about motion and flux. There are no right angles or straight lines to be seen anywhere in its envelope. Instead, gentle arcs and tension-filled curves dominate. According to Zaha Hadid on her website, the fluid form emerges from the folding of the landscape’s natural topography and the wrapping of individual functions of the Center. The functions are represented by folds in a single continuous surface, says the winner of the world-renowned Pritzker Architecture Prize.

The use of steel for such a landmark building underlines once again the architectural potential of the material. The choice of steel construction elements from ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe shows that no distance is too far for quality. More than 5,500 kilometers separate the Siegerland district, where Germany’s biggest steelmaker manufactures its construction elements, and Baku in the Caucasus. The twelve meter long and 1.5 millimeter thick profiled sheets were first transported by truck to Istanbul. There the material was transshipped by Turkish distribution partner EMI INSAAT Ltd., responsible for the logistics of the project, and delivered to Baku, again by truck.

Once on the site the elements were cut into three meter long pieces and mounted on a lattice-like steel support structure. The trapezoidal profiles supplied by ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe have a profile depth of 100 millimeters. The galvanized steel is coated with polyester in RAL 9002 gray-white. The high-quality profiles are distinguished by consistent coating thickness and hardness, long life and a high degree of weathering resistance.

ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe to invest 300 million in hot strip production [Daily press, 23.05.2011]

Sun, 22 May 2011 22:00:00 GMT

ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe AG is to invest around 300 million euros in its hot strip mills in Bochum and Duisburg. The investments will help the steel producer strengthen its position as technology leader for premium flat-rolled carbon steel products. The modernization will also secure sites and jobs in the Rhine- Ruhr area.

Hot-rolled strip is the basis for all ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe’s flat steel products. The company operates four hot strip mills with a total annual capacity of around 15 million metric tons. Hot strip mills 1 and 2 are located at the Duisburg site, along with a casting-rolling line that also produces hot-rolled. Hot strip mill 3 is in Bochum. To produce hot strip, steel slabs are rolled into thin strip in a series of mill stands at temperatures of more than 1,000 degrees Celsius. The material is either used by customers directly or further processed at ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe.

Among other things, the hot strip mills now to be modernized produce lightweight steels for the automotive industry, starting material for tinplate – which is 100% recyclable and is used to make food and beverage cans – as well as steels for oil and gas pipelines. Other products include starting material for electrical steel, which is used for example in wind turbines, in hybrid engines for cars and transformers, where it ensures extremely efficient power transmission. For these steel grades, precision dimensions and consistent, carefully controlled properties along the entire length of the strip are of key importance.

One of the focuses of the investment program is hot strip mill 1, which has an annual capacity of around three million metric tons. The mill will be equipped with profile, contour and flatness control systems to ensure highly consistent and precise dimensions over the full length and width of the hot strip. The strip cooling system will also be replaced. The cooling process exerts a major influence on the properties of the steel, such as its strength and formability. The furnaces used to heat the steel slabs to rolling temperature will be fitted in part with new burners. These will reduce heating times and require less energy. The upgrade program also includes new roll drives and a new computer control system for the entire mill train.

A new accelerated cooling system is currently being installed on hot strip mill 2 at the Duisburg-Beeckerwerth plant. Among other things, this will permit ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe to expand its range of high-strength steels for oil and gas pipelines. Additional investments will go into a new computer control system for the roughing and finishing mills and into equipping further roll drives with new, large motors. The transportation and storage facilities for finished hot-rolled coils will also be replaced. At hot strip mill 3 in Bochum, a new cooling line is to be installed for more exact temperature control as well as new rolling equipment for enhanced dimensional accuracy.

ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe has already invested 180 million euros in expanding hot strip mills 2 and 3 since 2006, creating additional capacities to handle two million tons of slabs per year from ThyssenKrupp’s new steel mill in Brazil. “Our current hot strip program will enable us to improve our performance further still, also in terms of quality,” says Dr. Ulrich Jaroni, the Executive Board member of ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe AG responsible for production operations. “We are also expanding our range of high-end products, which help protect the environment and conserve resources. This is a further clear commitment to Germany as a production location, where we will only be successful if we provide first-class quality.”

New generation of magnesium materials makes cars lighter: TU Freiberg and MgF put new magnesium hot rolling mill into operation [Trade press, 22.11.2010]

Sun, 21 Nov 2010 23:00:00 GMT

Technische Universität Bergakademie Freiberg (Freiberg University of Mining and Technology) and MgF Magnesium Flachprodukte GmbH (MgF) today inaugurated a new hot rolling mill for magnesium. Built with 7.5 million euros in funding from the state of Saxony, the mill will be operated by the university’s Institute of Metal Forming. It extends an innovative production line for magnesium flat products developed jointly by the university and MgF. MgF is a subsidiary of ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe AG, which is part of the ThyssenKrupp Group and one of Europe’s leading producers of carbon flat steel.

In his address at the inauguration ceremony, rector Prof. Dr. Bernd Meyer said: “Given the need for a sustainable resource strategy, the use of magnesium is very important. Magnesium is one of the earth’s most abundant elements, and its reserves are almost inexhaustible.” Dr. Ekkehard Schulz, Chairman of the Executive Board of ThyssenKrupp AG, highlighted the economic potential of the magnesium activities: “We have created a first-class technology base from which to achieve success on a market of the future. Efficient lightweighting solutions are playing an important role in more and more sectors of industry.”

Saxony’s finance minister, Prof. Georg Unland, underlined the state’s role in the automotive sector: “This is a further milestone which will strengthen the innovation and technology leadership of Saxony’s automotive and engineering industries. For vehicle manufacturers in particular, weight reduction is an increasingly important area of innovation. It will give further advantages to Saxony as an industrial location and secure and create jobs in the region. State funding for research and universities will continue to be aligned with industrial policy in the future and will focus on key growth technologies, including materials research. The state government’s draft two-year budget for 2011 and 2012 includes a total of 170 million euros for technology funding.”

Magnesium is the lightest structural metal. It weighs only around a quarter as much a steel and is 35 percent lighter than aluminum. Parts made from magnesium are particularly attractive for automotive OEMs as their lower weight allows reductions in vehicle CO2 emissions. In the past, however, the material has only been used in the form of castings, for example in the chassis or in transmission housings and engine blocks. For large body parts, where the light material could save a lot more weight, affordable magnesium sheets are required.

Magnesium research in Freiberg is headed by Professor Rudolf Kawalla, Director of the Institute of Metal Forming at TU Bergakademie: “The hot rolling mill is a major step forward in our research efforts to develop magnesium into a material for day-to-day use,” said Kawalla. Dr. Hans-Peter Vogt, Managing Director of Magnesium Flachprodukte GmbH, added: “Especially in the areas of lightweight construction and mobility, magnesium flat products can make substantial contributions in many applications.”

In addition to vehicle manufacture, magnesium sheet can also be used in engineering and other areas of industry where weight reduction is important. For ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe, the magnesium activities add to the range of intelligent lightweighting materials the company produces for areas such as the auto industry.

MgF and the Institute of Metal Forming at TU Bergakademie Freiberg jointly developed an innovative concept for the production of magnesium sheet using a casting-rolling line to manufacture flat strip directly from molten magnesium. With significantly lower costs for starting materials, reduced material and energy consumption and fewer production steps than the conventional route for flat magnesium, this is an extremely cost-efficient process.

Rector Meyer praised the intensive collaboration with ThyssenKrupp AG and its Freiberg-based subsidiary: “We have enjoyed a close partnership for many years, both in the area of magnesium research and beyond. The joint operation of a pilot line to produce magnesium sheet and strip is without doubt an outstanding success story,” he said.

The new rolling mill reduces the four to seven millimeter thick magnesium strip from the casting-rolling line to a thickness of just over one millimeter. This opens the way for the use of flat-rolled magnesium in automotive body parts, for example. The mill processes up to two metric tons of magnesium strip per hour at a rolling speed of more than 80 meters per minute. It was started up by Prof. Rudolf Kawalla and Dr. Hans-Peter Vogt.

The inauguration was part of a two-day symposium on the subject of lightweighting with magnesium at TU Bergakademie, organized by ThyssenKrupp and the university and attended by representatives from academia and industry. The partnership between the university and the materials and technology group dates back to 2001. Cooperation focuses on materials sciences/technology, mechanical engineering and industrial engineering.

InCar: Innovations for the automotive future [Trade press, 05.11.2009]

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 23:00:00 GMT

After implementing a new, more efficient corporate structure within a very short space of time, the ThyssenKrupp Group is beginning the new fiscal year with a technology offensive: In the cross-Group research project InCar, ThyssenKrupp engineers from the Steel Europe and Components Technology business areas have developed 35 innovations for auto manufacturers. No other automotive supplier has ever launched such an extensive package of independently developed innovations. The first InCar parts are already being tested in auto manufacturers’ plants for introduction into production.

InCar brings together the full automotive know-how of the ThyssenKrupp Group. The companies involved in the project employ experts in materials development, design, production technology, part manufacture, assembly lines, tooling and prototyping for the auto industry. The project offers new solutions for the body, chassis and powertrain areas. Using InCar innovations, auto OEMs can conserve resources, reduce costs or build cars with improved functions – depending on their particular development goals. At the same time the innovations have been validated to such an extent that they can be put into production quickly and at low cost.

Comprehensive ecological assessment
“InCar comes at exactly the right time,” says Dr. Ulrich Jaroni, member of the Executive Board of ThyssenKrupp Steel Europe. In view of the difficult situation currently faced by the auto industry, pressure is growing on manufacturers to make up lost ground with more eco-friendly and more cost-efficient vehicles with further improved functions. New legal requirements such as the average emissions limit of 130 grams of carbon dioxide (CO2) per kilometer applying EU-wide to new cars from 2012 are a further challenge. Dr. Karsten Kroos, chairman of the Components Technology management board, adds: “The InCar development priorities were closely coordinated with our customers.”

For climate protection, InCar offers innovations capable of reducing emissions by a total of more than 17 grams of CO2 per kilometer. However, ThyssenKrupp supports taking a more comprehensive view – after all, CO2 is also generated during the production of cars and parts. That is why the ecological assessment of the InCar solutions prepared by the German institute PE International and certified by TÜV Nord covers the entire product lifecycle. The result: Taking the whole production and usage cycle into account, the “cleanest” InCar solutions together can reduce emissions by around 5,500 kilograms of CO2 per vehicle compared with the current state of the art.

Manufacturers wishing to save costs or offer their customers more functionality will also find innovative solutions. When it comes to costs, one of the stars of the InCar ensemble is a newly developed two-stage adjustable damper system. It allows drivers to choose between a more comfort-oriented and a more sporty suspension and is 70 percent less expensive than continuously variable damper systems currently available on the market. Significantly improved functionality is offered by, among other things, the integrated steering concept. Here, the InCar engineers have integrated the steering gear for an electromechanical power steering system into a front axle beam. The current state of the art is to bolt the steering gear to the beam as a separate part. Integration frees up space for additional functions. Dr. Ulrich Jaroni: “The cost side of this is also interesting: The new solution is three percent less expensive than the conventional design.”

Cost analysis and production validation
InCar scores not just with the number of its newly developed solutions but also with their extensive validation. “Innovation is putting a new product into practice, not just inventing it,” explains Dr. Karsten Kroos, quoting the economist Joseph Schumpeter. The InCar team has done a lot to ensure that auto manufacturers can put the new solutions into production as smoothly as possible. The costs this will involve have been analyzed, as have the methods and tools needed to produce the InCar innovations. Here too, the expertise of the participating ThyssenKrupp companies over almost the full automotive process chain is the basis for reliable cost statements.

Prototypes were produced in purpose-built dies. Crash tests and a large number of loading tests also formed part of the project. The InCar team thus carried out a major part of the tests that otherwise take place at auto manufacturers’ plants before new solutions are integrated into production.

The aim of the InCar project is to develop solutions that outperform conventional designs. As a reference standard for the body solutions the InCar team designed a dedicated, virtual auto body for an upper mid-size vehicle, using the same software tools as auto manufacturers use when developing a new car. Dr. Karsten Kroos: “We compare the InCar solutions not with a real vehicle from a specific manufacturer but with a manufacturer-independent reference structure. That makes it easier for our customers to adopt our innovations and match them to their own brand, design and production strategies. At the same time we now possess our own reference for developing and validating future innovations.”

�Treffpunkt Ausbildung� in Duisburg on June 27, 2009 [Daily press, 24.06.2009]

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Pupils, parents and teachers are invited to come to the Training Center of ThyssenKrupp Steel in Duisburg on June 27, 2009: Like in the past years, the steel company is organizing an open day with comprehensive information around the training in all commercial and industrial professions – you will find an overview of the apprenticeships on the Internet on the company’s website http://www.thyssenkrupp-steel.com/de/career/ausbildung/ . The doors of the Training Center at Franz-Lenze-Straße will be open to visitors from 9 a.m. through 4 p.m.

The company will offer a comprehensive program under the motto “Treffpunkt Ausbildung“: A applicants’ forum, for instance, where potential candidates receive tips for successful application, can train for recruitment tests and job interviews, and obtain information on the different apprenticeships at Germany’s leading steel producer.

Moreover, there will be information available on the so-called cooperative training where studies and training can be combined. Trainers and trainees answer questions of future applicants, info boxes offer concise details on training courses and events. Guided visits to the modern Training Center of ThyssenKrupp Steel AG and hands-on exercises round off the program. Employees from the departments Occupational Heath and Safety and Healthcare will also take part in this event.

„Treffpunkt Ausbildung“ takes place on Saturday, June 27, from 9 a.m. through 4 p.m. in the Training Center (Bildungszentrum) of ThyssenKrupp Steel AG, Franz-Lenze-Straße. Everybody is welcome! You will find a map on the Internet under http://www.thyssenkrupp-steel.com/de/kontakt/anfahrt.jsp