Called Steligence, the program is intended to usher in the next generation of high-performance buildings and construction techniques and create a more sustainable building life cycle, ArcelorMittal said in an announcement. 

“The concept revolves around the idea of buildings as holistic entities in which all aspects of design are considered in an integrated way, as part of the whole. As such, it proposes the need for better dialogue between various specialist architectural and engineering disciplines, recognizing not only specialist expertise, but also the need for enhanced cooperation between experts,” the company said. 

“Steligence further suggests that the use of best available technology in steelmaking, as well as modularization of steel components in buildings where possible, has the capacity to generate efficiency gains in the design, construction and configurability of buildings as compared to those using traditional construction methods.”

ArcelorMittal said advances in steelmaking enable new and more efficient designs that feature more floors per building foot, shallower foundations, and longer, uninterrupted spans between columns. In addition, steel’s infinite recyclability allows architects to consider the life cycle, recyclability and reusability of a building and its components at the earliest point in the design process.

"Steligence is the culmination of several years' intensive scientific, independent peer-reviewed research to develop specific-use steel for the construction industry. By combining this research and development with extensive consultation of leading players in the construction industry, we have landed on a radical new approach to construction which is underpinned by a clear philosophy: to build a sustainable business around a sustainable construction industry that delivers for future generations," said Greg Ludkovsky, ArcelorMittal's global head of research and development.