– Finding the Hidden POSCO! –

Inside the house, here we go.

① PosMarble Takes on Design, Function, Environment, and Costs

Marble brings stylish luxury to house interiors. POSCO’s brand-new PosMarble adds to the marble luxury in terms of design and functionality. PosMarble is a perfect marriage between the rust-free PosMAC and inkjet marble printing whose resolution far exceeding that of ordinary printing. Because of this, PosMarble can emulate the luxurious patterns and textures of top quality marbles, both natural and artificial. Not only that, it’s half the cost of natural marbles and more eco-friendly.

The recent discovery of formaldehyde and radon in synthetic and natural marble created a huge controversy in the market. Amid the controversy, PosMarble is being welcomed as a new and safe alternative.

② Emergency Safety with Stainless Steel Guard Rail

During non-emergency situations, fire exit stairs outside high-rise buildings serve as railings, preventing falls. During a fire emergency, the rail unfolds and provides direct exit routes for people. The railing at Mr. P’s apartment is made of POSCO’s high-strength stainless steel pipe. Rust-free and sturdy against big external impact, the material ensures safety — both in case of emergency and non-emergency.

③ A Quiet Comfort with POSCO floors

In apartment living, the noise transfer between floors can cause high anxieties for the occupants. Worried about the noises? Think no further, POSCO’s PosCOZY has the solution.

PosCOZY, the world’s first high manganese steel plate designed to reduce noises between floors, is a noise-proof floor system created by combining galvanized steel plates with high manganese clip whose vibration resistance is four times that of normal steel.

PosCOZY is the first steel floor material that received a certificate from Korea Institute of Civil Engineering and Building Technology — a grade 1 certification given to the materials that minimize impact noises on the floor.

PosCOZY reduces heavyweight floor impact noises by over 10 dB and lightweight floor impact noises by over 20 dB. Even if children upstairs play soccer at home, the downstairs occupants won’t be able to hear a thing — as quiet as a library. Applying PosCOZY to older buildings, 15 years or older, with thin floors can significantly reduce noises — boosting the acoustic performance to the legal minimum level of grade 4. PosCOZY might just be the best solution for those who want to soundproof their floors.

④ The ‘Total Smart Home’ with POSCO E&C — the AiQ TECH

After a long hard cold winter day, imagine stepping into the empty apartment. Inside, what you find is the room toasty and cozy with just the right temperature and warm bright light — not a cold dark room. Not only that, the laundry you didn’t quite finish in the morning is now all done. What about the floors? It’s squeaky clean.

Thanks to ‘Total Smart Home’ with IoT platform, we are now living in a world where all this is a reality, not a fantasy. POSCO E&C recently launched “AiQ TECH,” Korea’s first smart home technology. AiQ TECH is a self-learning smart technology with emotional intelligence to serve customers. After undergoing a long R&D and prototypes after prototypes, POSCO E&C successfully developed the AiQ TECH with the three key functions that best suit market needs: AiQ Convenience, AiQ Safety, and AiQ Health.

The AiQ Convenience uses voice commands and mobile messengers to control lighting, heating, and ventilation. It also alerts elevator arrivals and traffic conditions best suited to the lifestyle of each individual. The AiQ Safety auto-detects any malfunctions in the elevator alerting the building management personnel on duty. It also allows live-monitoring of CCTVs within the apartment complex through smartphone apps. Lastly, the AiQ Health analyzes the air quality and triggers the ventilation system when needed.

⑤Steel Home Appliances with POSCO

The increasing popularity of smart home appliances is also diversifying the designs of the appliances away from the monotonous coloring — mostly in white tones. As of late, vibrant colors, geometric patterns, and metallic texture are gaining popularity for interior designs. Steel plates from POSCO — cold-rolled steel, galvanized steel, and electro-galvanized — are especially worth noting. They are corrosion-resistant and allow generous freedom for surface treatment. POSCO steel plates allow very little power loss. That’s why everyday household appliances using POSCO materials — refrigerators, microwave ovens, and ovens — have high energy efficiency.

⑥ Stainless Kitchen Thinks Clean

When cooking, good cooking utensils are just as important as good ingredients. Stainless steel, found in various pots and pans as well as in storage containers, is one of the widely used materials in the kitchen. Among different grades of stainless steel, austenitic steel is the most widely used grade of stainless steel. It contains chromium and nickel components and is known for its formability and corrosion resistance. Austenitic steel is mainly used in kitchen appliances, building materials, and chemical facilities.

Heat transfer through stainless steel is not as superb as with aluminum. To overcome this shortcoming, POSCO developed clad steel by bonding stainless steel to aluminum. Clad steel has already made a name for itself as the top kitchenware material. Clad steel is made by rolling on stainless steel to the front and the back of aluminum plates. With triple layers, clade steel enhances the thermal conductivity, heat conservation, and efficiency of stainless steel. Furthermore, its resistance to acid and alkali makes clad steel not only eco-friendly but also harmless to humans.

⑦ Safe and Clean with Stainless Steel Water Pipes

The recent bout of rusty tap water in the Seoul Metropolitan area heightened safety concerns on drinking water. With stainless steel water pipes, however, you can rest assured that your drinking water will stay clean and toxic-free.

No matter how heat-resistant, plastic pipes can’t guarantee hygiene and safety 100%. Constant contact with hot water will inevitably cause deformation inside the pipes. Compared to plastics, however, stainless steel is incredibly durable — it’s clean, keeping its original shapes much better than plastics. No wonder why stainless steel is increasingly becoming the go-to material for food containers.

Through the episode #2 of ‘Find the Hidden POSCO,’ we spotted POSCO technologies found inside the house. Giant chunks of steel have transformed themselves into various products of all shapes doing the jobs that they were born to do. Stay tuned for the next episode of [Find the Hidden POSCO] where we will explore various spots of our city to discover more POSCO technologies.

It all started 49 years ago in a small fishing village on the East coast of Korea and has grown to be the fourth-largest steel producer in the world.

A Small Fishing Village with 39 Employees

To help rebuild the country after the end of the Korean War, President Park Chung-hee made steel production and heavy industry the centerpiece of his Second Five Year Plan (1967-1971). Despite there being no steel industry in Korea, President Park wanted to be able to manufacture steel domestically without relying on imports and foreign technology.

Opening of POSCO in April 1968

In 1965, President Park visited Pittsburgh, PA, where he gained insight into the steel industry and what would be required if Korea were to develop its own independent production facilities. One year later, Korea International Steel Associates (KISA) was formed. KISA included a consortium of eight companies from five different countries whose goal was to help Korea start its own integrated steelmaking facility. By 1967, the government approved a plan from KISA that included a basic agreement on technology & funding.

Pohang, a small fishing village on Korea’s eastern coast, was chosen as the official site of the steel mill. POSCO was officially incorporated on April 1, 1968, as a joint public-private venture with just 39 employees. Park Tae-joon came on board to serve as CEO and by May 1968, construction of POSCO’s headquarters had begun.

In May 1968 the POSCO headquarters construction had begun

Setbacks to Success  

Despite the steps taken to move Korea’s steel industry forward, there were many setbacks along the way. First, overshadowing each step of its development was the skepticism coming from both foreign and domestic fronts. Foreign investors could not understand why Korea would expand into industries it had no history with. And local leaders doubted their ability to overcome all of the technological, economic, and infrastructural hurdles facing them. To make matters worse, KISA was disbanded in September 1969 – leaving plans for POSCO up in the air.

Korean President Park Chung-hee was instrumental in getting POSCO off of the ground. Here he is at one of the blast furnaces at Pohang Works. (1976)

Determined to complete the project, President Park began negotiations with Japan who later provided the grants, loans, and technology for the construction of the initial plant. Construction of the steel mill started in 1970 and on June 9, 1973, at 7:30 am, the first steel came off of the line. By April 1974, they had decided to expand the capacity of the third furnace at Pohang Words to 5.5 million tons and the fourth furnace capacity was increased to 8.5 million tons.

Expansion

Because of POSCO’s early successes, the Korean government decided to build a second facility on the peninsula’s southern coast in Gwangyang. After the completion of the fourth phase of construction at Gwangyang, POSCO had a total of 20.8 million tons of crude steel production capacity. Of that total, Pohang was producing 9.4 million tons with Gwangyang producing 11.4 million tons. It earned the distinction of being the world’s largest steel mill and POSCO become one of the main driving forces behind the industrialization of Korea’s economy.

After its completion, Gwangyang Works was the largest integrated steel mill in the world. (1992)

In 1986, POSCO entered into a 50/50 joint venture with US Steel (UPI). Their partnership was set to develop a comprehensive modernization program that would upgrade the processes and equipment of the facility. Since the establishment of USS-POSCO Industries (UPI), POSCO has continued to branch out all over the globe. It has set up STS production plants at Zhangjiagang Pohang Stainless Steel (China) and POSCO Tai Knox (Thailand), and automotive steel plate production lines (CGL) in Mexico, India, and China. PT Krakatau POSCO was built in 2013 and was the first integrated steel mill in Southeast Asia.

POSCO Becomes the Most Competitive Steelmaker in the World

By 2014, production capacity had increased to 37.7 million tons. Pohang now has three heavy plate mills, four cold rolling mills, five blast furnaces, heavy plate mills, and four hot rolling mills. Beyond its scope and production capacities, POSCO is committed to developing advanced, high-quality World Premium Products. In addition, POSCO’s innovations in other industries, integration of smart factory technologies into the production process, and its commitment to local communities continue to push POSCO forward.

Advanced World Premium Products

With a focus on advanced steel solutions, POSCO has developed a wide range of products that can be customized to fit a customer’s unique needs. These World Premium Products are the reason POSCO has been listed as the most competitive steelmaker for seven years in a row. For example, PosMAC has been utilized in many different ways from floating solar cells to durable public art pieces. Also, POSCO’s award winning PosCozy floor plates provide soundproofing and heat insulation.

The hot rolling process at Gwangyang produces 3,400,000 tons per year

Lithium Extraction & Other Ventures

POSCO has also strengthened its global competitiveness by accelerating new businesses in the materials and energy industries. POSCO has developed a fuel cell plant that was completed in 2008, a Myanmar gas field that produces 500 million cubic feet of gas each day, and lithium extraction technology that is 10 times faster than previous methods.

Solution Marketing

In addition to manufacturing advanced, high-quality steel, POSCO’s Solution Marketing provides customers with added technology solutions and commercial support. Instead of just supplying products and stepping away from the customer, POSCO works with its customers to create customized solutions that ensure successful implementation. Partnering with manufacturers early on in the production process, POSCO has stepped beyond its role as a steel supplier and now serves as a solutions provider.

Smart Factory Technology

POSCO also incorporates cutting edge technology and innovations into its production processes. At its automotive steel plate factory in Gwangyang, POSCO introduced AI technology into its coating weight control system, improving quality and reducing waste. Also, POSCO CEO Ohjoon Kwon remains committed to developing more smart factory solutions and has been meeting with executives of other companies, such as GE and Siemens, to explore partnerships and best practices.

President Park Chung-hee comes to POSCO to celebrate the opening of Pohang Works

Someone seeing the successes of POSCO today might have a hard time understanding how it even started, much less how it was able to overcome the immense barriers it faced. POSCO continues to be a leader in the steel industry with its advanced, high-quality World Premium Products. Also, POSCO’s successes in its non-steel ventures show its commitment to remaining on the cutting edge of technological trends and industrial innovation. Watch the video below to see for yourself.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nq574Ivp7c0

POSCO has been ranked as the world’s most competitive steelmaker for seven years in a row. It has remained competitive in part by focusing on its World Premium Products, which offer advanced steel solutions for their customers. POSCO has also put extensive effort into maximizing its non-steel technologies and products to find new growth in non-steel sectors. In addition, POSCO has been a leader in innovating its own manufacturing processes, incorporating advanced AI and IoT technologies into its smart factories. POSCO has also remained committed to not only growing its non-steel secondary businesses, but advancing upon existing technologies to create new and eco-friendly production methods.  Below we take a closer look at how POSCO has continued its work to innovate and stay competitive.

POSCO Expands Lithium Manufacturing Business

Amid the rising demand for rechargeable lithium-ion batteries used in smartphones, laptops, and electric vehicles, POSCO has been working on proprietary technology for lithium extraction. Earlier this year, POSCO opened Korea’s first lithium plant, PosLX, and commercialized the production of lithium carbonate from rechargeable batteries after 7 years of development.

From left to right: Jae-chun Song, chairman of Gwangyang City Council, Hyun-bok Jeong, mayor of Gwangyang, Gi-jong Woo, deputy governor of South Jeolla Province, POSCO CEO Ohjoon Kwon, Ung-beom Lee, president of LG Chem and Nam-seong Cho, president of Samsung SDI who can be seen pressing symbolic buzzers to show that the plant is now online.

The PosLX Plant is expected to produce 2,500 tons of lithium carbonate per year using a new eco-friendly technology, which is enough to manufacture about 70 million laptop batteries. This output will supply POSCO’s battery making partners LG Chem and Samsung SDI, as well as POSCO ESM, a subsidiary that produces cathodes for secondary batteries.

POSCO incorporates AI into Smart Factories

POSCO is also breaking through technical barriers by designing smart factories connected through IoT technology and artificial intelligence (AI) that produce higher quality products with less waste. POSCO has also begun incorporating advanced AI technology into its smart factories in order to more efficiently manufacture automotive steel.

Smart factories operate autonomously as the machines talk to each other through sensors – reducing faulty products and waste.

In particular, the ‘Smart Solution for Coating Weight Control Based on AI‘ technology uses an automated control technology that predicts the coating weight in real time and accurately meets the target coating weight. When coating weight is controlled manually, quality deviates depending on the skill level of the worker, which inevitably results in significant amounts of wasted zinc. However, when it is automatically controlled by AI, the quality of POSCO’s automotive coated steel can be enhanced while production costs are decreased. These new automated processes have also helped increase work efficiency and productivity with workers.

Also, CEO Ohjoon Kwon recently visited Siemens in Germany and GE in the U.S., both of which are known to have successfully operated advanced smart factories to observe how other companies have implemented highly sophisticated smart factory models. Through close cooperation with POSCO’s major affiliates such as POSCO E&C, POSCO Energy, and POSCO ICT, Kwon aims to embrace smart technology and reorganize POSCO’s entire business structure (Smart Factory, Smart Buildings & Cities, and Smart Energy).

POSCO’s Thailand CGL, Southeast Asia’s First Automotive Steel Sheet Plant

Faced with sluggish growth due to the oversupply from China and a decline in steel demand, POSCO has been looking to expand sales in new markets. In a bid to become the world’s largest steel provider for automobiles, POSCO completed its Thailand CGL (Continuous Galvanizing Line) in 2016. The plant has an annual production capacity of 450,000 tons and incorporates some of the most advanced AI technologies in its smart factory system.

In addition to being one of the strongest automotive production bases in Asia, Thailand is also the center of the consumer-electronics industry in Southeast Asia.

With the newly established automotive steel plate plant in Thailand, POSCO’s global volume will reach over 9 million tons in 2017 and more than 10 million tons per year starting in 2018. The automotive steel sheets manufactured by the facility will be supplied to global auto parts companies and carmakers operating in Thailand including Toyota, Nissan, and Ford. Despite the increase in competition from other steelmakers, POSCO aims to become a market leader through building strategic partnerships with global automakers operating in the country.

POSCO CEO Ohjoon Kwon and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Tanasak Patimaprakorn shake hands at hands at Thailand CGL.

As cities around the world get more crowded, urban dwellers are facing more and noisier neighbors. To help combat this problem, POSCO introduced PosCozy in 2016, a unique flooring system that combines manganese (Mn) Z-clips with continuous galvanized steel plates that greatly reduce impact noise, save space, and lower costs (product video).  

Unlike conventional flooring that uses non-steel materials such as styrofoam insulators and rubber buffer materials, POSCO’s floor plates are developed by combining high Mn steel Z clips – a material that is 4 times more vibration-resistant than general steel – giving it the ability to reduce noise between floors. PosCozy is able to reduce the sound of typical walking from 50dB to just 40dB, while impact sounds are lowered from 58dB to 38dB.

PosCozy is the world’s first high manganese steel floor plate with first-class floor noise reduction.

PosCozy is the world’s first high manganese steel floor plate with top quality floor noise reduction. It is also the first flooring system to receive the highest rating in sound insulation from Korea’s industrial rating agency.  Due to its unique and superior qualities, PosCozy won the prestigious Jang Young Sil Award in 2016.

POSCO’s High Manganese Steel Used in the World’s Largest LNG-Fueled Bulk Carrier

Due to the rising number of shipbuilding orders for large-sized liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers, there has been a shortage of nickel,  requiring new and innovative solutions to construct LNG-fueled ships. In order to address these issues, POSCO developed a new type of high-performance manganese steel and announced in 2016 that it would be applied to the LNG-fueled bulk carrier built by Hyundai Mipo Dockyard.

Developed independently by POSCO, this high manganese steel contains an Mn content of 20%. Compared to traditional materials, it boasts improved performance through unique properties that include high strength, low-temperature toughness, wear resistance, non-magnetic, and damping properties.

It is the first time a bulk carrier will have been constructed to include an LNG-fueled system and a fuel tank made of high manganese steel.  Its higher strength, ability to withstand an extremely low temperature (-162℃), and cost competitiveness make it superior to the nickel and aluminum alloys that are typically used in tanks. The ship, which will be the world’s largest LNG-fueled bulk carrier, is expected to have a capacity of 50,000 tons, seven times more than previous ships.

POSCO’s high-performance manganese steel will be applied to the world’s largest LNG-fueled bulk carrier built by Hyundai Mipo Dockyard.

POSCO has been able to overcome immense barriers, from the nickel scarcity in the LNG market to the oversupply of steel from China. POSCO strives to be a pioneer across all industries with its innovative products and will continue to do so in the years to come.

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Iron Man in Hong Kong (Photo Courtesy of roy so)

From Iron Scraps to Superhero

Since the character’s debut in 1963, the one constant in the Iron Man series is Tony Stark’s ability to innovate and adapt. The first model was “bulky, battleship gray, and most definitely, low-tech,” at least compared to the more recent suits. Trapped in a prison cell with limited resources, Tony only had heavy scrap iron at his disposal to piece together the very first Iron Man suit, giving it a very crude and unrefined appearance. Tony drastically improves upon these flaws in the Mark II by stripping down the bulky and rudimentary design to a lighter, stronger, and more flexible armor, which in turn took his flight capabilities to another level.

Over time, further adjustments and improvements were made in material, color, and function – allowing him to fly further, dive into the oceans, and enter deep space. He even began to use a technology that could store the suit in his bone marrow, making portability a much simpler affair. Through each series, each battle, and each villain, Tony customized the suit to make it stronger, more advanced, and more resilient.

Since the 1960s, Iron Man has transformed from a comic book character breaking free from prison to a Hollywood superhero grabbing missiles in mid-air. His ability to adapt and innovate his suit has made him one of the most powerful superheroes in the Marvel Universe.

The Iron Man Hall of Armor at Innoventions, Disneyland (Photo courtesy of HarshLight)

Similarities between Iron Man & POSCO

If there is one thing Tony Stark and POSCO have in common, it’s their obsession with innovation. POSCO was founded in March 1968, almost 5 years after Tony Stark emerged from a Vietnamese prison wearing his first Iron Man suit in Marvel’s Tales of Suspense (#39). Both began with some basic iron and steel, and both continued to advance with hard work, innovation, and some high-tech metal alloys. It is that continuous innovation that also drives POSCO forward.

Also, like Iron Man, POSCO’s world premium products are already used to fly the skies, cross the seas, and withstand crushing pressure. POSCO’s PosMAC is built to improve upon galvanized steel and strengthen specific areas by adding materials such as magnesium and aluminum – making the steel lighter, stronger, non-corrosive, and, like Iron Man, self-healing.

Other innovations include the award winning, and vibration resistant, PosCozy, which combines manganese Z-clips with continuous galvanized steel plates. PosCozy has higher resistance to vibrations than general steel, “making the sound of children running on a floor sound like noise heard in a library.”

With its eyes on the auto industry, POSCO has made advances in automotive steel with PosM Steel, a “dream material” five times stronger than conventional automotive steel and which has excellent impact absorption qualities – a quality that (SPOILER ALERT) Howard Stark would have appreciated.

Even though POSCO has yet to develop its own freeze-beam or arc reactor that can power an entire building and give people superpowers, here at POSCO, our researchers, engineers, and specialists continue to take steel technology to the next level. POSCO is already one of the top steel producers in the world and consistently recognized for its advanced tech steel products & sustainability programs. Used in buildings, cars, planes, and even the day-to-day objects lying around the house, POSCO’s steel might not be able to protect mere humans from supervillains but it sure makes the world a stronger place.

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While the Smart Energy Marketplace featured innovative products that provide electricity in more sustainable ways, the Sleep Tech Marketplace showcased exciting sleep-related technologies aimed at improving health through better sleep. Check out some of the recent advancements below and let us know what you think!

The Smart Energy Marketplace: Cleaner & Sustainable Electricity

As they do every year, tech giants and startups used CES to debut their new products and ideas. Just when it seemed that the market was saturated with enough cool floating Bluetooth speakers and mobile charging cases, CES 2017 took it to another level with new solar-powered gadgets.

• Designed by Lemon Technology, The California Roll is the first solar-powered, waterproof speaker. It lasts up to 20 hours with only 7 hours of sunlight, includes voice recognition capabilities, and uses NFC to offer a faster and more reliable connection with less energy consumption. Because it is waterproof, the California Roll is good to go, rain-or-shine.
• When your smartphone battery dies, iPowerUp is a case that can recharge the phone from solar cells located on the back. Its solar panels store energy and then charge your phone when an outlet is unavailable.

POSCO’s work in developing smart energy technology can be seen in the World Premium Product, PosMAC (POSCO Magnesium Aluminum alloy Coating). Solar cells need to be installed with materials that are both lightweight and sturdy enough to withstand the elements. PosMAC is uniquely suited for solar energy development because it is durable, light weight, and non-corrosive.

The Sleep Tech Marketplace: Better Sleep & Improved Health

Trouble sleeping? CES showcased a possible solution at its Sleep Tech Marketplace. In its first year, the marketplace showcased several products that help regulate your body’s circadian rhythm and provide a more peaceful sleep.

• If noises are keeping you up at night, Nightingale is a device that plugs into an outlet and masks common indoor and outdoor noises that can disrupt sleep patterns by adding ambient sounds, called “sound blankets.” Two speakers placed in two different units in a room utilize the walls to reflect sound and blend it into the background.
• PEGASI Smart Sleep Glasses solves a series of sleep related issues by generating lights of specific wavelengths to stimulate the suprachiasmatic nucleus on the hypothalamus, which controls the circadian rhythms that help regulate sleeping patterns.

POSCO has also been working to develop technologies that can help regulate sound for more peaceful sleep. PosCoZy was designed to provide a more peaceful and quieter living experience through a flooring system that can greatly reduce impact noise between floors in apartment buildings and offices. PosCoZy’s manganese Z-clips’ resistance to vibrations are 4x higher than regular steel. What’s more, PosCoZy helps reduce the sound of typical walking from 50 decibels to just 40dB, while impact sounds are lowered from 58dB to 38dB. That means you can sleep through the night without hearing the party going on upstairs.

Bigger and bolder than ever before, CES 2017 took great strides with new marketplaces, including the smart energy and sleep tech industries. POSCO continues to develop pioneering solutions alongside these breakthrough innovations as well to find advanced solutions for the 21^st century.

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As cities around the world grow ever more crowded and city planners try to rein in urban sprawl, people are increasingly turning to apartment buildings for their homes. But while apartment complexes have many conveniences and advantages, one drawback is often noise, as everyone needs to deal with the footsteps and other sounds of life going on in the apartment above. Or, rather, that was a drawback.

POSCO has now introduced PosCoZy, a unique flooring system to combines manganese Z-clips with continuous galvanized steel plates to create floors that greatly reduce impact noise, save space and lower costs.

Leading Noise Reduction

Manganese Z-clips have four times higher resistance to vibrations than general steel. Combined with POSCO’s continuous galvanized steel plates, the PosCoZy flooring is able to significantly reduce the impact noise between floors in apartment buildings.

PosCoZy is the first floor system to receive a First Class silence rating from Korea’s industrial rating agency. This vibration-dampening reduces the sound of typical walking from 50 decibels to just 40dB, while impact sounds are lowered from 58dB to 38dB. In other words, PosCoZy is able to turn the noise levels produced by running children into something more akin to the quiet you’d expect in a library.

This manganese steel floor plating is also good for remodeling old structures, even those more than 15 years old with thin flooring, producing 4^th Class Noise Absorption Performance.

Space Savings for Improved Efficiency

In apartments, space is usually at a premium – not sure floor space, but vertical space as well. Thicker floors mean less spacing for living in. However, PosCoZy is thinner than typical flooring, reducing floor thickness by 15 millimeters.

In addition, the manganese Z-clips that support the galvanized steel plating create open spaces under the floor, creating room for piping, LAN cables or other wiring to run. Furthermore, the strength of the steel plates as flooring increases the floor’s capability to hold heavy loads, lasting longer without deformation.

More Economical, to Save Money

A third important advantage of PosCoZy is that it’s economical. The air layer formed in PosCoZy, along with heat insulation, prevents thermal loss and improves heating speed, improving the thermal capabilities. All together, that translates into savings in heating costs, which saves people money.

Silent, efficient and economical – those are the remarkable advantages that POSCO’s exciting new innovation in steel flooring offers builders and consumers. For more information about all the advantages of PosCoZy and high manganese steel flooring, check out the full video below:

POSCO’s High Manganese Steel Floor Plate Wins the Jang Young Sil Award for Its Vibration-Resistant Qualities

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Around 150 related parties attended the award ceremony held in the Maekyung Media Center, including First Vice Minister Namki Hong of the Ministry of Science, ICT and Future Planning. POSCO Steel Solution Marketing Department’s Managing Director Deokrak Lee and principal researcher Youngdong Yoo had the honor of receiving the awards as representatives of the company and associated developers.

POSCO won the Jang Young Sil Award for its noise-proof floor plate. Steel Solution Marketing Department’s Managing Director Deokrak Lee (on the right) and principal researcher Youngdong Yoo (second from right) are seen receiving the awards.

Unlike conventional flooring that uses non-steel materials such as Styrofoam insulators and rubber buffer materials, POSCO’s floor plate is developed by combining high manganese (Mn) steel Z clips – a material that is 4 times vibration-resistant than general steel – with POSCO’s hot-dip galvanized steel plate, making it capable of reducing noise between floors. The Z-shaped high manganese steel clips absorb the vibration energy applied to the floor, and thus preventing noise. Test results showed that POSCO’s high manganese steel floor plate revealed a noise level that is lower than other top grade floor plates (43㏈or lower for lightweight impact sound, and 40㏈ or lower for heavyweight impact sound).

The floor plate made of high manganese (Mn) steel was jointly developed by POSCO and POSCO E&C beginning in June 2014. After acquiring state-registered performance certification last November, POSCO is currently promoting its steel product for apartment buildings, and will increase its market share in premium housings with on-site pilot projects.

“We are currently developing technologies to apply the high manganese steel plate not only to floor plates, but also to ceilings and walls,” said Youngdong Yoo. “We plan to expand the application scope of this product to various industrial fields beyond the domestic and overseas construction markets, such as ships and home appliances as well.”

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