JFE Steel Corp. and ThyssenKrupp Steel (TKS) have accomplished several important achievements as a result of the comprehensive cooperation agreement for automotive steel and its related research and development, which was signed in April 2002.

As the result of aggressive activities conducted by the two companies, common specifications and other achievements have been established between the two companies, resulting in what could be a Win-Win Scenario for the two companies.

Common Specifications between the two companies were completed in response to requests from Japanese and European OEMs to establish the global automotive steel supply network. The specifications cover mild steel up to 600 Mpa high strength steel for automotive applications. The specifications set both identical and similar specifications, making it possible for customers to easily place orders of equivalent steel grade to JFE and TKS. A brochure introducing details of the specifications is available.

A Cross Licensing contract between “Only One” product of both companies—NANO from JFE and CP (complex-phase steel) from TKS—was signed. The contract will make it possible for both products to be produced and supplied as a global commodity to customers in Asia and Europe.

Researchers were exchanged between the two companies, beginning in October, in order to promote joint research and development activities for next generation ultra high strength steel.

JFE and TKS plan to continue and accelerate the cooperation activities in order to realize further win-win scenarios and to strengthen their global automotive steel supply network for OEMs.