Voestalpine Krems GmbH, a company owned by Austria's leading steelmaker Voestalpine Stahl GmbH, has announced the signing of a new cooperation agreement with Japanese steel manufacturer Kobe Steel, Ltd for the application of ultra high strength steel (UHSS) and roll-forming technology in auto parts.
With this agreement, the parties are proposing to jointly contribute to automotive lightweighting in 2011 car models and plan to make proposals to Japanese automakers regarding the advantages of UHSS and roll-forming in auto parts.
To further promote lighter cars, the companies intend to encourage automakers in the application of UHSS and roll-forming technology. Under the arrangement, Kobe Steel is to supply the steel sheets, whereas Voestalpine Krems is to provide the processing know-how.
Through this cooperation, Kobe Steel will benefit from the increased supply of UHSS to carmakers in Japan and Asia, while Voestalpine Krems will gain from the growing need for roll-formed parts made of UHSS coming from Japanese automakers based in Europe, North America and South America.
For the purpose of providing automotive UHSS worldwide, Kobe Steel has also a cooperation agreement with Voestalpine Stahl GmbH dating back to 2002.