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068 MetalsRESEARCHAND DEVELOPMENTThe research and development activities ofthe business area concentrated on new coatingtechnologies using electrogalvanic andCVD processes(CVD: Chemical VaporDeposition). Both processes were successfullydemonstrated on a pilot scale.In the stainless steel annealing and picklingarea, a new, patented process was implementedfor the first time. It uses the excessheat in the exhaust gas from the annealingfurnace in catalytic denoxification (DeNOxprocess) of the mixed-acid pickling plant.This process significantly reduces energyconsumption for the DeNOx process and reducesthe nitrogen oxide content in the annealingfurnace exhaust gas.The global automotive industry producesover 25 million tons of scrap material peryear when processing galvanized steel. Thebusines area has developed a process torecover the zinc from the scrap material. Thezinc-free scrap is of high value to foundries.This process saves raw materials and reducesthe environmental impact.A high-pressure vacuum strip cleaning systemhas been developed for continuous stripprocessing plants with inline rolling mills. Itfeatures a very compact, low-priced designcompared to conventional systems. Additionally,this system does without chemicalsand is, thus, very environmentally friendly.The delivery program of punching and metalforming presses was extended to press forcesof up to 25,000 kN. In addition, punchingand metal forming equipment with servodrives was developed for the range between2,000 and 8,000 kN.Roll set of a 20-high rolling mill forstainless strip cold rolling.