Valin ArcelorMittal Automotive Steel Co, Ltd (VAMA), the joint venture between ArcelorMittal and Valin Steel, has officially unveiled its brand in Loudi, China.
As the leading project in Hunan Province’s new industrialisation process and one of the major automotive steel projects in China, VAMA was formed in June 2008 and approved by China’s National Development and Reform Commission in June 2010. VAMA began its accelerated construction plan in June 2012, with operations expected to begin in mid-2014.
VAMA will produce state-of-the-art automotive steels for safe and cost-efficient lightweight design, superior surface quality and coating technology. ArcelorMittal is supporting the project with its advanced technology and providing production know-how to both Valin Lianyuan Steel and VAMA, to ensure a seamless production flow along the entire supply chain.
VAMA’s product portfolio will include technologically advanced products developed by ArcelorMittal such as Advanced and Ultra High Strength Steel (AHSS and UHSS) grades of up to 1200MPa and Usibor®1500P, specifically designed for the growing application in hot stamping. VAMA’s world-class product lines will include a continuous pickling and cold rolling mill with an annual production capacity of 1.Mt, followed by a continuous mixed annealing line with a capacity of Mt, and a continuous hot dip galvanising line with a capacity of 500kt.
Output will be China-focused, with the aim of developing a world-class local supply to serve the growing local market. VAMA is also aiming to supply international carmakers and Tier 1 auto makers, to promote high-end solutions to domestic car manufacturers and their suppliers’ networks. VAMA aims to foster partnerships with ArcelorMittal’s major global accounts present in China (such as Volkswagen, GM, Ford, PSA, Daimler-Benz, BMW, Toyota, Honda, Renault, Fiat and Nissan) as well as with large domestic manufacturers such as Geely, Chery, Dongfeng, Guangzhou Auto, Shanghai Auto and Changan.