ArcelorMittal commemorates 50 years of research and development in East Chicago, Ind.

2017-09-28

Sep. 20, 2017 - The year 2017 marked the 50th anniversary of ArcelorMittal’s Global Research and Development Center in East Chicago, Ind. Throughout the summer, the center hosted a number of activities with employees and stakeholders to celebrate the milestone.

The activities culminated with a celebration on September 13 with a number of dignitaries including Mayor of East Chicago Anthony Copeland, Indiana State Senator Lonnie Randolph, Indiana Economic Development Corporation President Elaine Bedel, Chief of Staff to U.S. Congressman Peter Visclosky Mark Lopez, among others.

Brian Aranha, executive vice president and head of strategy, technology, research and development, commercial marking, and global automotive for ArcelorMittal, welcomed the 100-plus attendees at the anniversary event to celebrate the center’s success.

“Our commitment to innovation results in the improvement of products and processes while also reducing costs and ensuring safety requirements are met. Last year, the company invested $239 million on global research and development efforts, illustrating how essential R&D is to the success of our company. I want to express my gratitude for everyone involved.”

Over the past 50 years, Global R&D in East Chicago has achieved countless commendations and accomplishments to make steel safer, stronger and more sustainable. ArcelorMittal R&D has helped secure 658 U.S. patents, including the production of continuously annealed martensitic sheet steel in 1968. It introduced dual-phase and martensitic steels into the marketplace in 1983, as well as bake hardenable products for exposed automotive panels in 1991. These steels continue to be produced today, but are now available in thinner, yet stronger gauges than ever thought possible. 

The industry's first single-piece, hot-stamped, laser-welded Usibor® door ring was developed for the 2014 Acura MDX, followed by the industry’s first five-piece, hot-stamped, laser-welded door ring and b-pillar for the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica. Most recently, our Burns Harbor facility implemented a first-of-its-kind accelerated cooling technology, developed by Global R&D, to produce new plate steels for tanker cars and line pipe for offshore markets. 

John Brett, president and CEO of ArcelorMittal USA, shared how his operations in the United States benefit from the work that happens at 3001 East Columbus Drive.

“We rely on innovation to propel us forward, to maintain our competitive advantage and to secure our future as an employer of choice and a go-to steel solutions provider. Our researchers collaborate with customers and operations throughout our USA footprint. Together, we are developing, testing and commercializing new products and solutions that help advance our customers’ businesses and sustainability goals, while also identifying and implementing new process improvements to minimize our environmental impact,” said Brett.

Brett spoke directly about the work underway at the center to support the company’s automotive business, including the release of six brand new automotive steel grades in just the past year to help make cars lighter, stronger and more sustainable.

In support of the important role ArcelorMittal plays in creating new steel products and solutions for automakers, Zoe Lipman, director of the Vehicles and Advanced Transportation Program at BlueGreen Alliance, shared findings from the Alliance’s Supplying Ingenuity II report, which identifies companies and jobs that play a role in creating technologies that reduce pollution, improve fuel economy and spur economic development and job creation. The state of Indiana alone is responsible for more than 10,000 manufacturing and engineering jobs building fuel-efficient technologies.

"The innovative vehicles being built under today’s world-leading fuel economy and vehicle greenhouse gas standards are saving consumers billions of dollars annually at the pump, enhancing America’s energy security and combating climate change. And at the same time, the industry has brought back hundreds of thousands of direct jobs that are anchoring a broader manufacturing recovery," explained Lipman. "None of this would have been possible without the innovation happening throughout the supply chain."

The ArcelorMittal Global R&D Center in East Chicago employs 200 scientists and engineers representing 20 nationalities. While diversity is embraced throughout the Center, the employees are also proud to be a part of the Northwest Indiana community and look for ways to contribute to a more sustainable city.

A half century of innovation was commemorated with the unveiling of a new South Shore Line poster, Steel for the Future.  The painting of the East Chicago campus by Northwest Indiana artist Mitch Markovitz depicts the beautiful landscape and buildings designed by famed Chicago architecture firm Skidmore, Owings and Merrill.  This is the fourth poster in the series commissioned by ArcelorMittal. Others include Strength and Beauty, Steel for the World andArcelorMittal Burns Harbor.

In his closing remarks to all attendees of the celebration, John Brett said, “I thank all of you for your support of our efforts. We look forward to another 50 years of creating a product that the world depends on, and finding ways to transform ourselves, our business and our communities for a better tomorrow.”