BlueScope Steel has signed a long-term joint collaborative technical agreement with Nippon Steel Corporation (NSC) to develop next-generation coated steel products for global building and construction markets.
Under the agreement, Bluescope and NSC will undertake joint research and development.
The technical agreement is underpinned by a 40-year working relationship between BSL and NSC and will leverage the capabilities of each company.
"This agreement is the first step toward introducing the next-generation of coated steel technology. These new product technologies will enable us to continue to offer customers across our global footprint superior performing products, especially for building and construction markets," says BlueScope’s managing director and CEO, Paul O'Malley.
BlueScope Steel’s chief executive, Australian Coated and Industrial Markets, Paul O'Keefe, says the new technology will improve corrosion performance.
"The products will be launched initially in Australia and then rolled out across the Company’s footprint. We are currently finalising our implementation plans which include working through the standards and codes revision processes, as required under Standards Australia and the Building Code of Australia," O'Keefe says.
"We will advise expected market launch timeframes in due course, but anticipate that product launches will occur over the next couple of years."
