PDF (10.9MB) - ThyssenKrupp AG

2.5 Management report on on the Group Non-financial performance indicators indicators
Pages 53-54 53–54
LubriTreat ® LubriTreat will significantly improve
the forming behavior of galvanized steels
in the future.
® will significantly improve the
forming behavior of galvanized steels in
the future.
Innovations
Innovations and new technologies are a key element of the Group’s Strategic Way Forward and therefore
also feature strongly in our corporate program ‘impact’; a detailed report on this is provided in the section
“Profile and strategy”. We develop new materials, products and processes, identify and explore promising
areas of innovation, and improve our technology position. We are also expanding our innovation
management systems.
Our 3,000 research and development employees demonstrate their strengths in the areas “Material“,
“Mechanical” and “Plant”. Their outstanding engineering expertise enables us to develop cost- and
resource-efficient solutions in response to global challenges such as rising consumption or sustainable
infrastructure. The following examples represent a selection of the wide-ranging innovation activities of our
Group companies.
Electromobility: StreetScooter development partnership
ThyssenKrupp is expanding its capabilities in the area of electromobility. In collaboration with research
institutes and industrial partners we are jointly developing body and chassis solutions for the electric
vehicles of the future. As part of a consortium of industrial partners and institutes of Aachen University of
Technology we are working on the development of a low-cost electric city vehicle called the StreetScooter.
ThyssenKrupp has developed and prototyped the floor assembly, which will accommodate the batteries for
the electric vehicle. For the crash-relevant parts we use both high-strength lightweight steels and other
materials combining high strength and high elongation. In the event of a collision, this allows impact energy
to be absorbed effectively. A prototype of the StreetScooter was presented at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor
Show.
Eco-friendly material for vehicle construction
We have developed a new material with a tensile strength of 1,000 megapascals. It is currently our
strongest cold-formable steel and is particularly suitable for thin-walled, low-weight parts. Safety-relevant
structural parts for automobile bodies can be made up to 20% thinner using this material. This reduces
vehicle weight, saves energy and thus lowers CO2 emissions.
New coatings for cost-efficient production
In collaboration with a lubricant manufacturer, our surface specialists have developed LubriTreat ® , a new
coating process that significantly improves the forming behavior of galvanized steels. Moreover, the new
coating is free of heavy metals and allows nickel-free, eco-friendly processing. LubriTreat ® reduces friction
during the forming process, resulting in lower die wear and reduced scrap rates. Good paint adhesion and
optimum finishes are guaranteed. The product has been patented by both companies and is suitable for all
hot-dip and electrolytically galvanized steel sheet materials.
iwalk – new moving walk sets standards
Our newly developed iwalk requires much less space than conventional moving walks. With the same
outside dimensions, the passenger area is wider and provides greater space and comfort. The significantly
lower pit depth also greatly reduces the amount of civil work required. The iwalk can even be installed on
an existing floor without the need for any additional construction measures. Thanks to the new
modular design, individual segments can be added or removed as required in the shortest possible time,
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