Hyundai Steel Launches R&D for 100 kg High Tensile Auto Steel Sheet

Hyundai Steel of South Korea plans to launch research and development of high tensile automotive steel sheet as one step for the company’s next growth. The company has recently completed development of normal grade automotive steel sheet adoptable to exterior body panel. Mr. Cho Won Seok, vice president of Hyundai Steel, indicated the company projects development of 100 kilogram class high tensile steel sheet. The company will supply high grade steels to Hyundai Motor and contribute to quality upgrade of Hyundai Motor’s vehicles.

Hyundai Steel planned to progress development of twelve types of automotive hot rolled steel sheet within 2011 and finished eight items during the first six months. As of July, the company finished steel sheet development for interior materials and started the product supply. Meanwhile, the company suggested steel sheet development for exterior body panel would complete in August. The company also gave an outlook to complete development of 80 kg class high tensile steel in September.

Hyundai Steel now focuses on even higher tensile steel sheet. Mr. Cho explained to Japan Metal Bulletin at World Steel Association in Paris that Hyundai Steel plans to start R&D for 100 kg class high tensile steel and tries to catch up with other advanced steel makers including Japanese integrated steels.

Hyundai Steel started two blast furnaces in 2010. The company successfully raised the operations and launched production and sales of automotive steel sheet. Hyundai Steel has improved its productive level at extremely high speed through technological cooperation with Hyundai Motor although Hyundai Steel has spent only two years since commencement of integrated steel production.