ArcelorMittal continues to invest strongly in both its European operations and also in its product development for the automotive sector.
The steelmaker is installing a new high-technology welding line at its ArcelorMittal Tailored Blanks Lorraine facility in Uckange in France, it tells Kallanish. The new line follows a €7 million ($8.2m) investment the company says.
It will be the world’s first installation and application of a technology which enables two key processes in the production of laser welded blanks (LWB) – welding and partial ablation – to occur simultaneously. This will result in a 50% capacity increase when production begins – expected in September 2019.
The decision to locate the new welding line in Uckange is based on the proximity to the supply of press hardenable steel. This is required in the production of tailored blanks and will be supplied from ArcelorMittal’s plants in Florange and Mouzon. Uckange is also well-located for supply and distribution to ArcelorMittal Tailored Blanks’ key automotive customers, the steelmaker says.
The investment in the new welding line was made with the support of Tailored Blanks Lorraine’s local community and government stakeholders. The Grand Est region will provide 10% of the investment and 25% of the related R&D expenses, and the Val de Fensch community will also provide co-investment in the new installation. ArcelorMittal will also employ local companies for specific parts aspects of the project, it confirms.