ArcelorMittal Vega in Brazil has completed a US$10 million investment to install a new post-treatment technology on its galvanizing line #1.

The new technology improves Vega's coated sheets for the stamping process, making the line particularly attractive for car manufacturers worldwide.

Using the new coating technology, a liquid solution is applied to Vega's galvanized sheets. Thanks to their improved lubrication, the steels can then more easily be processed in the stamping line. The recent investment is in line with Vega's drive to remain a supplier of choice for automotive customers.

ArcelorMittal Vega supplies its steels to the leading vehicle manufacturers, including Honda, Renault-Nissan, Fiat, General Motors, PSA, as well as steels that are used in some parts of Daimler's trucks.

With a total production capacity of 540,000 tonnes per year, the sheets from Vega's galvanizing line #1 can be used in all parts of a vehicle, depending on its design and technical requirements. The technology will bring the greatest improvements to car parts that require extra deep drawing, e.g. for door panels, side panels and hoods.

In 2012, ArcelorMittal Brazil was named supplier of the year by vehicle manufacturer Ford, after ArcelorMittal Vega had been given "Q1" status by Ford in December 2011, which recognised the site as one of Ford's preferred suppliers.

In September 2012, Volkswagen also presented ArcelorMittal Brazil with a "business excellence" award in the "metallic" category, recognising the outstanding quality of the coils that are produced at ArcelorMittal Tubarão, and then re-rolled and coated in the Vega facilities.

ArcelorMittal Brazil website 

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