Following on from the publication of an article by SMS group in the March edition of Steel Times International, global steelmaker ArcelorMittal has issued the following rectification notice.
“The Jet Vapor Deposition (JVD) technology is an ArcelorMittal-owned technology, developed and matured over nearly two decades through extensive R&D and pilot-scale, with CRM Group operating a dedicated semi-industrial line capable of producing coils for many years.
Building on nearly two decades of intensive R&D and pilot scale experience, ArcelorMittal successfully industrialized the Jet Vapor Deposition (JVD) technology as early as 2017 through the commissioning of a large width industrial JVD line, while authorizing John Cockerill, under license, to act as the industrial integrator for future JVD production lines worldwide. The industrial line has since operated stably and continuously for many years, fully demonstrating the robustness, maturity, and industrial viability of the JVD process, with cumulative production exceeding 1.5 million tons. The JVD process has led to the protected trademarks of the Jetskin® and JETGAL® products, which are uniquely recognized and approved across the industry for automotive and industrial applications.
By contrast, the NEOVAC installation described in the article corresponds to a pilot-scale development, which is comparable in maturity to our historical pilot activities rather than to a fully proven industrial line.
For these reasons, ArcelorMittal considers it essential that Steel Times International corrects the claim of “first industrial implementation” and appropriately acknowledges ArcelorMittal’s pioneering role in the industrial deployment of vacuum PVD zinc coating technology for steel strip.”