Volkswagen brought back its iconic Microbus in the form of a new electric, self-driving ID Buzz concept car. (Engadget)

The headlines from the Consumer Electronic Show (CES) were all about self-driving, electric, and connected cars. As these topics continued to be highlighted at NAIAS (see the new Volkswagen ID Buzz pictured above), there was also a focus on the importance of structural design.

Innovations in high-strength steel have allowed car makers to reduce the weight of vehicles without compromising safety. From large sedans to electric vehicles, advances in steel were spotted all throughout this year’s NAIAS with BMW’s new 5 Series and Ford’s new 2018 F-150 both showing off their lightweight aluminum and high-strength steel compounds that helped shed more than 100 kg from the BMW model.

The push to make vehicles lighter raises safety concerns. Lighter cars require lighter steel, and to make lighter steel there are typically other compromises that have to be made. POSCO, however, with its advanced high-strength automotive steel, has found the solution for automakers to make cars that are both safe and lightweight.

The new BMW 5 Series (left) and Ford F150 (right) made their debut at the North American International Auto Show. Both models used advanced high-strength steel to reduce weight and maintain safety. (NAIAS Image Archive)

POSCO’s Lightweight Auto Solutions Increase Safety

In 2016, POSCO became the first steelmaker to participate at NAIAS, displaying its advanced high-strength steel for automobiles, including its the PosM Steel and hot press forming steel (HPF). PosM Steel is five times stronger than other types of steel making it great for impact absorption and increased safety.

Providing a rapid solution upgrade for strengthened crash requirements, the safety of POSCO’s advanced materials has been certified by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). In addition, the strength and crashworthiness of POSCO’s advanced steel solution received a score of 5 stars from USNCAP and ‘good’ safety ratings on the IIHS Moderate Overlap Front and Small Overlap Front tests. By reducing possible safety concerns with high strength body solutions, POSCO is able to contribute to the advancement of global auto manufacturers.

With steel being more important than ever in the auto industry, POSCO’s commitment to improving the strength and safety in its automotive steel has helped it maintain its position as a global industry leader. As Gregory Warden of GM said, “there is a whole new generation of steel coming” – and POSCO is helping to lead the way by creating new solutions that guarantee safety and fit the unique needs of its partners.

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At POSCO, there are many talented researchers, engineers, and factory workers, who are working constantly to make steel stronger, lighter, and longer-lasting. The Steel Wire sits down with three of those POSCO employees who have played essential roles in helping to establish POSCO as an industry leader in automotive steel solutions.

Q1. POSCO has relied on its experts to become an industry leader in advanced automotive steel manufacturing, and you have all played important roles within POSCO’s development of automotive steel. Can you tell us about the fields you are in and what your role has been?

[Shin Seung-cheol] For the last three decades, my main focus was to secure POSCO’s position as an industry leading automotive steel producer. Currently, I am at Gwangyang Steelworks working to create steel innovations and develop new technologies.
[Cho Byeong-ho] I work in the cold rolling department at Gwangyang Steelworks. Since joining POSCO in 1990, I have been working to develop World Premium Products, which account for 70% of the cold-rolled products manufactured in my department.
[Lee Jin-soo] I began my career at POSCO in 1993 working as a sales engineer in Indonesia and Singapore. After that, I moved to Gwangyang Steelworks where I was in charge of establishing technology strategies for automotive steel sheets as well as producing Tailor Welded Blanks (TWB). More recently, I guided the completion of Thailand CGL in 2016 to help POSCO be more competitive in the SE Asian market. Now, I serve as the corporate head of POSCO-Thailand Coated Steel (TCS).

“POSCO’s mission in 2009: Develop the best, most advanced automotive steel solutions that only POSCO can produce.”

Q2. Starting is often the most difficult step and we have sure faced some hurdles along the way. Can you tell us about the some of the problems you faced while developing automotive steel products?

[Shin Seung-cheol] Sure, in 2009, our team’s goal in the rolling sector was to ensure the productivity and quality of the World Premium Products. In the annealing process of the cold rolling sector of the Gwangyang Steelworks, I was told to make “the best automotive steel plates.” However, compared to other products, automotive steel plates demand a much higher quality than other products, and our equipment was outdated and rundown, making it almost impossible to create the flawless steel plates that were required. Achieving both high quality and continuous mass production required a new level of innovation.

[Cho Byeong-ho] When I was at the cold rolling mill, we were facing challenges from both domestic and foreign competitors. So, we streamlined old equipment and increased production of the World Premium Products such as automobile steel plates and high-grade steel. However, there were many problems. At one point, the cold rolled steel kept falling off before reaching the rolling process.

Q3. There’s a famous quote that says ‘Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet.’ Does this make sense when you think about the work you accomplished in developing advanced automotive steel for POSCO?

[Shin Seung-cheol] Yes, that quote rings true for our team. After three years of testing the steel surface quality and improving the Continuous Annealing Line (CAL) facility, we eventually succeeded in securing high-quality automotive steel plates. Strict management standards along with systematic & rigorous product inspections from the customer’s point of view were also put in place in order to ensure that the products met the client’s needs.

[Cho Byeong-ho] When we couldn’t keep the steel from falling off before reaching the rolling process, we decided to visit the cold-rolling mill at Pohang Steelworks to help us find a solution. There, we worked on solving the problems with a small-scale laser welding team and we got support from maintenance experts. With proper facility training and data improvements, the 2nd cold rolling mill was ultimately able to work consistently.

“Now, it’s more than a mission. We will be the leading automotive steelmaker in Asia.”

[Lee Jin-soo] Thanks to our team’s endless efforts, POSCO was able to succeed in producing highly competitive automotive steel. POSCO provides around 150,000 – 200,000 tons of galvanized steel plates to Thailand every year. But we did not want to be #1 only in Korea; we wanted to have a stronger presence in the growing Thai market as well.

In order to expand our presence in the Thai market and provide stable supplies to existing clients, we differentiated ourselves from competitors through the quality of GI products for home appliances and painting – areas where we held a competitive advantage.

Q4. Your passion for finding innovative solutions, as well as your success at POSCO, is impressive. What are some of the most meaningful accomplishments you have made at POSCO?  

[Shin Seung-cheol] I was very grateful to be named as one of the POSCO Masters of Korea in 2016. This honor is reserved not only for the best field technicians with the highest levels of skill, but also for those who help their coworkers by sharing their expertise. I was happy to be acknowledged for my own skills as well as my efforts to help others.

[Lee Jin-soo] I am proud that I was able to be a part of the efforts to bring two manufacturing centers in Mexico online. POSCO-MPPC plant 1 & plant 2 were POSCO’s very first overseas construction sites and were very important for the future of POSCO’s global growth. And recently, getting the chance to guide Thailand CGL to its opening was very important for POSCO and very meaningful for me.

[Cho Byeong-ho] When I started, I believed that it would be really helpful to gain knowledge about each part of the steelmaking process. As a result, I taught myself about each step and acquired certificates in various fields including ‘Master of Craftsman Welding’ and ‘Master Craftsman of Rolling.’ This allowed me to do more specialized work for POSCO and for its automotive steel solutions.

Q5. Lastly, please share with us your vision moving forward.

[Shin Seung-cheol] While I’m somewhat confident in my operational skills after 34 years on the job, I still want to study more. I want to learn more about engineering theory and process development. My dream is to become the best possible technician I can be.

[Cho Byeong-ho] Moving forward, I want to continue the work to boost our equipment capacity while also improving our technology so that we can continue to produce the best World Premium Products.

[Lee Jin-soo] At Thailand CGL, we want to move forward to provide manufacturing technologies, such as mold technology and automotive steel sheet buying channels, to small local companies. This will allow POSCO to expand its contract base into a solution marketing system.

The advancements made in POSCO’s advanced automotive steel are driven by people like Shin Seung-chel, Cho Byeong-ho, and Lee Jin-soo. Without their determination, intelligence, and innovative thinking, POSCO could not be where it is today.

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