Gerdau investing BRL 1 million to develop products for the automotive industry

Brazilian steelmaker Gerdau has teamed up with several local institutions to develop products for the automotive industry, the company said on Wednesday.

According to Gerdau, it has teamed up with local niobium producer CBMM, research institute IPT and non-profit organization Senai to develop different products to be used in the automotive industry. It will spend a combined BRL 1 million ($317,033) in the partnerships.

Gerdau didn’t specify which products are being developed with each of the institutions it is working with, but said the automotive industry needs to increase the durability of its components.

Studies jointly developed with Gerdau include the use of clean steel, which promises to offer greater resistance to fatigue and improved durability when compared to conventional steel.

Other studies include the development of bainitic steel to produce a number of parts for engines for both light and heavy vehicles, including crankshafts and connecting rods.