Stephen Zoepf is the executive director at the Center for Automotive Research at Stanford University.

To kick off the forum, Stephen Zoepf, executive director at the Center for Automotive Research at Stanford University gave a presentation called “Electric Vehicles: Adapting to a Changing Marketplace” to share his insights on what future markets will look like and implications for automakers, suppliers as well as consumers.  

Here are the key takeaways.

The Future is Going to Look Very Different

According to a report by RethinkX, an independent research group, 6 trillion U.S. passenger miles will be driven in 2030, up 50 percent from 2021. Of those miles, 95 percent will be driven in self-driving, electric and shared vehicles and only 5 percent of those miles will be driven by internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles.

The report goes on to say that autonomous EVs (A-EV) will make up 60 percent of the U.S vehicle stock, and those vehicles will be part of a shared-mobility service. As more people start to share cars, the overall number of vehicles on U.S. roads will drop from 247 million in 2020 to 44 million in 2030.

SEE ALSO: Going Autonomous: The Transformation of the Transportation Industry

The change is already happening. In 2016, shared-mobility companies such as Uber and Lyft drove 500,000 passengers per day in New York City, which is triple the number of passengers from 2015. Today, more and more automakers like Tesla and GM are also entering the shared-mobility market.

EVs are already becoming prominent in major cities around the world. (Source: Time)

The findings illustrate a future where people drive more miles with fewer cars, which are fueled by electricity, and shared instead of owned. It’s a radical visualization of the future, but one that is driven by economic forces.

By 2021, shared vehicles will be 4 to 10 times cheaper per mile than private vehicles, and American households will save an average of USD 5600 every year by switching to shared EVs from cars fueled by gas, according to RethinkX.

Zoepf shared another report by ARK investment Management which echoes the finding above- in the next ten years, people will drive three times more kilometers using half the number of cars and the number of EVs on the road will increase 10 fold.

What It Means for Car Manufacturers and Suppliers

A shrinking vehicle fleet consisting of mostly EVs can only mean one thing: a major disruption to the current automotive market.  

Right now, the average lifecycle of a car in the U.S. is 11 years. However, the majority of a car’s total mileage is driven in its early years. It’s the same for shared vehicles, but they are driven about 80,000- 90,000 km per year, 10 times the distance of privately-owned cars. What this shows is a compression of the vehicle lifespan in its first 3 to 4 years.

These statistics pose critical concerns for automakers.

Will overall vehicle sales decrease in the coming future? According to Zoepf, that’s the wrong question to ask. Instead, automakers should be asking “will I make money?” Automakers have a couple of choices. They can either adapt early on and manufacture EVs and/or A-EVs at a competitive price, or become a shared-mobility provider. Early movers such as Tesla, GM and Volvo are already shifting their business strategies to fit these models.

GM recently launched Maven, a car-sharing service. (Source: The Verge)

Another question to ask is how these trends will affect vehicle design. With shortened vehicle life-cycles, manufacturers can either design cars to last only 3 to 4 years for quick replacements, or opt for the aviation model where the vehicle will be built to last, but the interior parts, such as seats, will be replaced frequently. Whatever route manufactures choose to take, gaining a competitive edge in vehicle and service quality early on will be key.

What Will This Mean for Vehicle Material Suppliers?

If building cars to last is no longer a primary priority, will car makers downgrade their materials? The short answer is not a chance.

Through a customer survey study Zoepf conducted of 60,000 Zipcar customers, he showed that the number one factor when choosing a car is safety. However, there is no one, ideal model or type of car that is preferred in a shared mobility framework. The purpose of the trip determines the type of vehicle, and the success of a shared mobility service provider will depend on the variety of cars it can provide – all with competitive safety ratings.

POSCO ICT already has ChargEV stations set up across Korea. (Source: POSCO ICT)

The supplier’s role will be to continue providing high-quality materials that can boost the safety and cost competitiveness of future vehicles. Steel suppliers have to keep developing lightweight and high-strength steels like POSCO GIGA STEEL, and research new materials that can boost the competitiveness of EVs such as POSCO’s Hyper NO for motor cores, battery materials and POSCO ICT’s EV charging service and infrastructure.

There remain numerous challenges that lie ahead for a greener and safer future with EVs and A-EVs, and it might take longer than experts predict for lawmakers, corporations and consumers to all agree on an optimal mobility model. However, change is already underway and automakers and suppliers alike need to strategize and adapt early on to take advantage of the upcoming opportunities.

For more information on how advanced automotive steel can benefit automakers looking for lightweight and sustainable steel solutions, take a look at our infographic on POSCO GIGA STEEL or read the full report here. 

Cover photo courtesy of GOV.UK.

POSCO hosted the 2017 Global EV Materials Forum at the Songdo Global R&D Center in Incheon.

POSCO welcomed more than 380 local and overseas customers to the forum where they announced the current status of POSCO Group’s EV projects and strategies. The company also showcased its core EV technologies for high-value-added products such as motors, batteries and lightweight chassis/bodies.

During the forum, POSCO highlighted customer needs, market trends and development statuses in three areas: lightweight materials, traction motor cores and batteries. POSCO researchers also gave presentations on POSCO’s high-value-added products and solutions to share market insights and technological developments with the participants.

Participants listen to presentations at the 2017 Global EV Materials Forum.

In his keynote speech, In-hwan Oh, president of POSCO, said, “POSCO is in full preparation for the future of an electric vehicle ecosystem, to become a reliable partner to our customers.”

There were also external speakers at the forum, including Stephen Zoepf, Executive Director of the Center for Automotive Research at Stanford University, who spoke about “Electric Vehicles: Adapting to a Changing Marketplace.” Another external speaker was Martin Woehrle, senior director of BMW Korea, who gave a presentation on the trends in EV development.

In addition, POSCO held a separate exhibition at the venue consisting of four key product zones: motors, batteries, light-weight chassis/bodies and charging infrastructure. There was also an EV model on display in the Highlight Zone for a better understanding of the structure of EVs.

Visitors examine the electric Nissan Leaf

On display In the lightweight chassis/bodies exhibition zone was POSCO GIGA STEEL for lightweight chassis/bodies, which is lighter but much stronger than existing automotive steel sheets. Also on display was POSCO’s lithium materials for EV batteries; POSCO is the first company in Korea to commercially produce lithium for EV batteries.

In the motor zone was POSCO Daewoo’s a high-efficiency traction motor core for EVs made with POSCO’s Hyper NO, its highest-grade, non-oriented electrical steel. POSCO is already supplying it to major automakers.

The charging infrastructure zone showed POSCO ESM and POSCO Chemtech’s core materials of EV batteries, such as cathode and anode materials. In addition, POSCO ICT is the only company in Korea to provide a total-service electric vehicle charging infrastructure, including supply, installation and operation to membership management and supplementary services.

To close, POSCO pledged to become a “Total Solution Provider” for its partners in the auto industry bracing for the age of electric vehicles with its innovative technology, premium products and customized services.

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Read how these megatrends and the expansion of the four largest steel-consuming industries have driven the growth of the steel industry from the last fifty years and will continue to play a crucial role.

Megatrends and their impact on the steel industry

Future Cities and Changes in Steel Materials

Urbanization is a key driver in the development of the global construction industry and will further accelerate in the future with rapid industrialization in developing countries and the shift to a knowledge economy in advanced countries.

Within the overall shift toward urbanization, many countries are actively crafting policies to develop their cities as globally competitive megacities. There is an increasing number of megacities with over 10 million inhabitants as the competition paradigm shifts from competition among countries to competition among cities.

Also, with a growing sense of urgency in improving the environment in terms of ozone depletion, climate change and energy and resource exhaustion, eco-friendly, green cities are emerging as a new trend.

Lastly, smart cities, characterized by digital transformation and energy revolution, will rapidly expand in the future drawing on the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Following the ongoing and emerging trends of urbanization and future cities, new advanced steel materials are required to accompany emerging trends and accelerate the development of megatall, eco-friendly and smart products. Conventional steel materials for construction, such as steel bar and section, will improve in functionality with higher strength, thermal conductivity and better sound isolation. They will also be developed as composite materials and new materials such as carbon nanotubes and shape memory alloys will be widely deployed in construction processes. However, as construction costs (labor costs and the use of high-strength steel materials, for example), increase, steel content per unit of construction investment is expected to decline.

A New Mobility Paradigm

Led by high-income earners, lower car prices and improved road infrastructure, the key trend for the automotive industry is motorization. Today, automobiles are no longer just a means of transportation but becoming a major arena for IT competition with the rise of electric vehicles, robotic vehicles and new mobility services.

As a response to global warming, electric vehicles and energy-efficient self-driving cars are becoming increasingly widespread along with the rise of new innovative mobility services, such as robo-taxis and self-driving mini-buses.

In the case of EVs, less auto parts will be required as metal parts such as powertrain components – the engine, vehicle intake and exhaust system, and transmission – will be replaced by batteries, motors, and electronic parts. As cars are made lighter to improve driving range, alternative materials such as aluminum and CFRP are being used in some luxury lineups.

In order to retain its competitiveness and also meet increasingly strict environmental regulations, the steel industry is developing lighter and stronger steel materials such as advanced high-strength steel (AHSS) to replace traditional steel products. Steel, a strong and economically competitive material, remains an attractive choice for both EVs and self-driving cars.

Recovery of the Shipbuilding Industry

Technological advancement as a result of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and changing environmental regulations will bring considerable changes to the shipbuilding industry.

The shipbuilding industry, which boomed in the 2000’s, experienced a downturn after the 2008-09 financial crisis. Although the oversupply will linger until 2025, the shipbuilding market will then turn to an upswing with increasing growing global trade and rising demand for ship replacement.

With the development of ultra-large container ships, LNG-fueled ships, electric ships, CO₂ carriers, polar ships, and environmentally–friendly equipment, high-strength steel for ultra-large and lighter ships and high-strength low-alloy steel for safe and affordable LNG and CO₂ storage tanks are required.

As vessels become larger and lighter, the steel intensity of ship’s tonnage will fall. Steel intensity is expected to decline due to larger and lighter vessels.

Global Climate Action and Energy Transition

As a response to global warming, renewable energy is increasingly in demand. In fact, it is no longer being referred to as “alternative” energy but “mainstream”. The International Energy Agency (IEA) has predicted that the share of renewables within global power generation is expected to rise from 23 percent in 2014 to 37 percent by 2040.

The renewable energy sector is also adopting various types of steel products. The tube tower, which accounts for 65% of the weight of a wind turbine, is made mainly of steel, while thin stainless steel sheets and frames are required for solar panels. This wide application of steel products offers additional business opportunities to steel companies.

Meanwhile, the share of fossil fuels within primary energy consumption will fall from 81 percent to 74 percent over this span. However, the decline will be gradual due to population and economic growth in emerging countries and fossil fuels will continue to play a dominant role in the energy sector in terms of quantity of consumption.

Steel companies must target new markets by developing innovative steel products for the microgrids and energy storage systems which will grow alongside renewable energy.

The Steel Industry Over the Next Two Decades

Over the next two decades, the steel industry will face the following four challenges: slowing steel demand due to decreased steel intensity across major steel-consuming industries; a need for more advanced steel products; upgrading to eco-friendly and smart steelmaking processes; and changes in manufacturing based on the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Accordingly, it is imperative that the steel industry boost its capabilities for continues product and process innovation and build a sound steel ecosystem through partnerships with steel-consuming industries.

To this end, POSCO is not only investing in the development of an eco-friendly rolling process but also in sustainable development including energy conservation and recycling technologies. In addition to factory automation based on IoT, big data and AI, POSCO is working to increase the application of smart technology internally as well as externally with its partners and affiliates.

It is an exciting time for the steel industry as it continues to transform along with the ongoing and emerging megatrends.

Download the full version of POSRI’s Asian Steel Watch journal for more at POSRI’s official website.

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POSCO has been recognized as the leading company among the world’s top steelmakers for the past eight consecutive years. To note, POSCO received this year’s honor in the midst of difficult domestic and overseas market conditions due to last year’s global oversupply, tighter import regulations triggered by the spread of protectionism and internal financial restructuring.

The Steel Survival Strategies held discussions on current trends and future strategies of the global steel industry before the WSD announced the honor. Thirty-seven steel companies around the world were evaluated on 23 different criteria such as production scale, profitability, technological innovation, price competitiveness, cost reduction, financial soundness and raw material acquisition.  

POSCO has topped the list a total of 13 times since 2002, when WSD first began its global competitiveness rankings, putting POSCO at the top of the rankings for the longest period of time.

POSCO came out on top with a perfect 10 in five categories: technological innovation, cost reduction, labor skills, restructuring and investment environment, putting the overall score at 8.31 points. The total was 0.26 points higher than last year, due to positive evaluations of POSCO’s solutions marketing activities, the expansion of high-value-added products as well as its financial restructuring.

Other notable companies on the list include Russian steelmaker Severstal (second place) for iron ore and coal mines, US steelmaker Nucor (third place) for their technological innovation and profitability, NLMK steelmaker (fourth place) for their iron ore, and NSSMC (fifth place) with positive evaluations in business diversification and restructuring.

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Automakers Work Toward Lightweighting

Traditionally, adding strength to a material meant adding thickness as well. As expected, when the material becomes thicker, the car gets heavier. However, manufacturers are introducing new technologies that challenge these commonly held notions. In fact, automotive materials are becoming thinner and lighter, while still retaining the same level of strength.

Renault Samsung’s SM6 (Talisman) is more spacious and lightweight than its competitors. (Image courtesy of Renault Samsung)

Thanks to new lightweight materials, cars can be stronger, lighter, and more spacious – three conditions that were once considered mutually exclusive. For years, people tried discovering ways to decrease a car’s weight while increasing its strength by experimenting with various metals such as aluminum, magnesium, beryllium, and other complex materials. As a result, vehicles today can weigh less compared to older models while retaining superior performance and more spacious design.

Light weighting trends first began in the aerospace industry as they needed to develop more lightweight aircraft and spacecraft. Race car designers quickly followed in order to maximize output that would allow cars to make faster turns while also improving fuel efficiency. Today, the same technologies used in race cars from 20-30 years ago are being used in mass production vehicles to improve fuel consumption, lower CO2 emissions, and increase safety.   

The motorsport industry was the ideal place to develop lightweight materials as it was constantly searching for stronger, safer, and more efficient cars.

Finding the Right Balance with Lightweight Materials

Depending on their role, the bones that make up the human body consist of different strengths, densities, and elasticities. Similarly, the strength and design of auto parts must be adapted to where it fits within the car. Like the skeleton of a human being, the frame of a car is very complex.  The strength and design of each of those parts play a role in how lightweight and safe the vehicle can be. While automotive manufacturers have been developing lighter materials to make vehicles stronger, more lightweight, and thinner – applying the technology can be quite difficult.

The strength and design of each auto part plays an important role in the overall weight and safety of a vehicle. (Image courtesy of Daimler AG)

Similar to how the human skull needs to be hard to protect the brain and the rib cage needs to be flexible to bend with the expansion of the lungs, parts of a car need to be built with a specific purpose. Some parts need to be built with high strength materials, while others need to be made with steel that can flex on impact.  If cars were built with all strength and no shock-absorbing features, all of the kinetic energy from a crash would be absorbed by the people inside the car. On the contrary, if all car frames were only built to absorb collisions, the exterior of the car could easily fall apart and injure passengers.

Several considerations should be made when working with lightweight materials, with the first being cost. The materials that go into making space shuttles or race cars are often expensive and yield high production costs. Higher costs for the manufacturer mean higher costs for the consumer and despite the benefits that come with lighter materials, consumers will ultimately find it an unreasonable alternative. Another problem in working with some lightweight materials is that they require advanced technologies to shape, join, or weld.

This is why POSCO GIGA STEEL is proving to be a revolutionary new concept in material light weighting. It meets the demanding criteria for car frames by being lighter, harder, and more efficient overall than other competing materials.

POSCO GIGA STEEL and Its Applications

POSCO GIGA STEEL gets its name from its tensile strength, which is over 1,000MPa (megapascal), or 1GPa (gigapascal).

“A 1 square centimeter plate of POSCO GIGA STEEL can support the weight of 10 tons without becoming damaged in any way.”

POSCO GIGA STEEL gets its name from its tensile strength, which is over 1,000MPa (megapascal), or 1GPa (gigapascal).

While POSCO GIGA STEEL has excellent strength properties, it is also extremely lightweight and formable. This means car makers have more freedom to create complex auto parts with the right strength and flexibility for a specific part of the car.

Aluminum is also lightweight but POSCO GIGA STEEL is more than three times stronger. Increasing the strength of a material while making it possible to use thinner pieces is a major breakthrough that came about through many years of research.

Critical differences between POSCO GIGA STEEL and aluminum can also be found in their production processes. Manufacturing POSCO GIGA STEEL does not require welding or adhesives like other lightweight materials, and this simpler production process ultimately leads to more cost-effective prices for consumers.

SsangYong Motor’s G4 Rexton reduced the weight of the car frame while maintaining the structural advantages of the body-on-frame chassis (Image Courtesy of SsangYong Motor).

One of the manufacturers that have benefited from POSCO GIGA STEEL is SsangYong Motor.  SsangYong Motor’s G4 Rexton features a traditional body-on-frame chassis as opposed to the more commonly used monocoque chassis in which a vehicle’s body and frame are one integrated structure. Although the body-on-frame chassis is structurally strong and, it is usually heavier and less efficient. However, through its research and collaboration with POSCO, SsangYong Motor was able to reduce the weight of the car frame while maintaining the structural advantages of the body-on-frame chassis by using POSCO GIGA STEEL (1.5GPa).

The biggest advantage of POSCO GIGA STEEL is that it delivers a clear solution for complex chassis structures and satisfies several different requirements in the automotive industry. Various manufacturers are currently working with POSCO to learn how they can apply POSCO GIGA STEEL to their cars.

GM Chevrolet also partners with POSCO to overcome the increasingly strict regulations in the automotive industry.

The auto industry has long been working to improve emissions and safety standards. In a market environment that continues to pursue stricter standards,  POSCO is committed to working with automakers to give them the most advanced material solutions for improved efficiency and safety.

Throughout April, The Steel Wire has shared insights into the current and forthcoming trends in the automotive industry. In May, we will explore how innovative steel products like POSCO GIGA STEEL can help drive the future of the automotive industry through the eyes of industry experts.

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He was one of more than 1,000 attendees at this year’s POSCO Global Early Vendor Involvement (EVI) Forum, held Oct. 31 to Nov. 2 in Incheon, South Korea. Every two years, POSCO invites hundreds of its customers and partners, to learn about solution marketing, POSCO’s unique approach to building proactive steel solutions for its customers.

“Since I’m from an Australian electrical steel company, I appreciate the chance to learn meaningful information regarding advance manufacturing and relevant industries,” added Andonovski.

Three Days of In-Depth Presentations

The Forum kicked off with a signing ceremony for more than 100 agreements with global clients in the field of joint technology research and sales. And throughout the three-day event, a variety of speakers kept the audience engaged with a series of presentations.

“POSCO’s future-oriented solution marketing focuses on three solutions,” said Ohjoon Kwon, president of POSCO, in his keynote speech. “Technical solutions that providing steel utilization technology, commercial solutions that support the sales of clients’ products, and human solutions that value connecting with our clients at heart. Using these three solutions, we strive to become a reliable partner that helps our clients find success.”

In addition to a presentation by President Kwon, some of the featured speakers included GM Korea Vice President Greg Tyus, ExxonMobil CTO Douglas Fairchild, the Minister of Trade from Indonesia Thomas Trikasih Lembong and futurist Thomas Frey.

Trends and Demonstrations

Once again, the theme of the forum was “From Steel Supplier to Solution Partner,” and explored three years of solution marketing and the company’s latest products. Additionally, talks examined future trends for the steel industry, including “Eco-Friendly Vehicles,” “Upheavals in Energy,” “Mega Cities” and “Premium Living Infrastructure.”

For example, POSCO had a model car on display made from Giga Steel – an ultra-high strength steel that can withstand a load of 100kg per 1mm². Another type of high-strength steel, HSA800, is twice as strong as ordinary steel and is considered to have very good seismic resistance. And “Inkjet printing steel sheets” are designed for the application of high-resolution images, and is expected to find many uses in home appliances.

The company also introduced high-manganese steel, made from 3%-27% manganese. High-manganese steel has a range of properties – such as abrasion resistance, being non-magnetic, high strength and high formability – making it useful for the energy industry, including LNG tanks.

The Power of Solution Marketing

After the keynote address and general sessions, the attendees were divided into nine industry-specific themes, to allow more detailed discussions and presentations relevant to each field.

“The general session has provided such a great opportunity to expand my knowledge about the different areas of steel,” said Teguh Sarwono, general manager of PT KRAKATAU Steel in Indonesia. “The special lecture about Indonesia’s steel industry was especially insightful for me as a foreign vendor of POSCO.”

In addition to talking about new products, there were also presentations about outstanding examples of POSCO’s solution marketing. For example, POSCO has worked with Volkswagen to make stronger steel and reduce the weight of vehicles, and it worked with Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering to create high-strength wire products.

“I feel honored to have been invited to the POSCO EVI Forum, and happy to have gotten the chance to meet clients from all over the world,” said Christiawaty Kasger, general manager of POSCO Indonesia Inti. “By taking part of this kind of event, I have gotten a greater sense of connection with POSCO and look forward to working together more in the future.”

Smart Factory, Smart Company

POSCO has already involved the IoT to develop improved safety measures, but now with the Smart Factory, the entire production process has advanced for the sake of creating better products in the future.

The Smart Factory transforms the conventional idea of a steel mill into an intuitive operating system, promising faster production, higher-quality goods and safer work environments.

Matching its position as a leading global steelmaker, POSCO’s Smart Factory gives evidence of the company’s optimized facilities for creating the most reliable steel products available worldwide.

Solution Marketing Revs Up POSCO’s Steel Business

2014 POSCO Global EVI Forum #1 ‘From Steel Supplier to Solution Partner’

2014 POSCO Global EVI Forum #2 Program Details and Client Interview

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Gone are the days of oversized, flashy pieces of bling, and returning are classic timepieces suitable for both genders. Rather than showy status symbols, fashion fans are looking at a more reserved set of long-lasting styles that exude elegance and sophistication.

Stainless steel has been a stalwart metal in traditional watchmaking for many years now, but designers and manufacturers have pushed different materials to accommodate trends in the past. Now, it seems they are returning to the steady original.

The Beginning of Stainless Steel

In 1913, metallurgist Harry Brearley developed the first piece of genuine stainless steel at his laboratory in Sheffield, England. The alloy was made with iron, chromium and nickel, and could withstand a wide range of chemical reactions.

Through Brearley’s invention, stainless steel has become the modern metal for everything beginning from cutlery to skyscrapers, and of course wristwatches.

The material is known for its high resistance to corrosion, heat resistance, weldability and durability, which makes it perfectly suitable for enduring straps and encasing the sensitive machinery found inside timepieces.

A Fashionable Military Companion

While wristwatches have been around since World War I, when they were considered both a strategic military tool and as well as a necessary fashion accessory, stainless steel watches were only introduced in the early 1930s in Geneva. Jewelers and watch manufacturers were looking for a cheaper material to use to make watches, since the Great Depression of the 1920s had left the precious metals market in the dust.

In fact, they were not always the men’s collector’s items they are now. Wristwatches were only worn by women before the 20^th century, the first made for Countess Koscowicz of Hungary by Swiss watch manufacturer Patek Philippe in 1868.

For women, these watches were less worn for practicality, and more for aesthetic purposes. In 1912, The New York Times reported that it was “the most useful piece of jewelry that has been invented for many decades,” worn by “women who have to work as well as those who play.”

The first prototypes for men may have been created by watchmaker Girard-Perregaux for the German Imperial Navy in 1880, after an officer complained about the difficulty of timing an attack correctly using a pocket watch.

And hardwearing materials were not just used as a fashion statement or quotidian utility. European soldiers began to incorporate unbreakable glass to survive the trenches and radium to illuminate the display at night during battles, with civilian styles swiftly following suit.

An Everyday Item

Nowadays, watches are used by almost everyone, everywhere, but stainless steel has become one of the core metal in a developed men’s market. At Baselworld, an annual trade show held for the global watch and jewelry industry, this year’s trends seemed to highlight simplicity.

There was a particular spotlight on steel, with mention given to the fact that it is a perfect watch material in terms of being both the fashion and the reliability stakes. Many luxury watch manufacturers displayed stainless steel devices, which offered a modern yet everlasting appeal.

But that is just the surface. Because wristwatches are often exposed to sweat and moisture, they can easily corrode and malfunction if not made properly.

That is why stainless steel is so important for time-telling. Not only does it keep the case waterproof, it prevents rust and is long-lasting – all necessary factors when it comes to keeping your watch clean and functional.

Making the Grade

It is also worth mentioning that not all stainless steel is alike. Most watch cases are made of 201 or 304L stainless steel, while luxury watch makers tend to use 316L, 904L or surgical grade varieties.

A majority of luxury watch manufacturers use 316L grade stainless steel. This contains molybdenum, which contributes to its extra-low carbon content and high resistance to corrosion. It is also magnet-resistant, unlike general-use 201 or 304L stainless steel grades.

The “superalloy” 904L has an even higher resistance to corrosion due to increased levels of chromium, molybdenum and nickel. It is a more expensive material overall, so only select high-end manufacturers use it in their designs.

Meanwhile, 316L is considered tougher, a “marine grade” steel, but it lacks the luster and protection against acids offered by the 904L, which is even used in the tech, aerospace and chemical industries. Stainless steel is also being used in cases for smart watches, furnishing these hi-tech items with a premium look.

Choosing Steel for Fall

The wristwatch has traveled a long way from its European origins, from gracing royalty to equipping hardnosed generals – and stainless steel has had a part in shaping its current rendition.

So whether it is dainty or utilitarian, cost-friendly or luxurious – you can bet that a piece of this resilient metal on your wrist will be what you are looking for to satisfy both seasonal and perennial trends.

A watch is something you will hopefully want to keep forever. And one crafted from stainless steel could be your best investment to keep up with fall 2016’s latest watch trends.

Stainless Steel Speaks Fashion

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Steel Korea 2016 provides the steel industry and relevant academic and research institutes with the setting to evaluate the current situation of the Korean steel industry. Steel in Korea is having to face a rapidly changing global environment, and must explore ways to enable the continuous growth of the industry by making new breakthroughs.

It was the second annual meeting of the event, attended by 300 people, including Chairman Ohjoon Kwon, Vice-Chairman of Hyundai Steel Yoocheol Woo, Chairman of the Korean Institute of Metals and Materials Jongsoo Lee, and Chairman of the Korea Steel Scrap Industry Association Youngdong Park.

In his opening speech, Chairman Ohjoon Kwon remarked, “Recently, our steel industry has been undergoing some challenging times amid the trade protectionism occurring around the world, and also due to domestic demand beginning to wane. In order to overcome the current crisis and move forward, the industry, academia, research institutes, and the government should come together to improve responsiveness and drive change.”

Kwon said that the industry should make bold investments into new technologies and products in order to supply better quality products at lower prices, and companies should secure a solid management foundation through strong corporate restructuring that would remain unaffected in any occasion.

On August 24, the Korea Iron & Steel Association held Steel Korea 2016 at the POSCO Center to seek a breakthrough for the steel industry. Chairman Ohjoon Kwon emphasized that, in order to overcome the crisis in the steel industry, the industry, academia, research institutes and the government should come together to improve responsiveness.

He also added, “The private and public sectors should work together to survive in the global steel trade war. We have to improve our responsiveness to changes in trade policies by closely monitoring the trade regulations of each country and strengthening the communication channels with local steel industry and trade authorities.”

The participants agreed that strong domestic demand is instrumental to the continuous growth of the steel industry, and pledged to build up a strong partnership with relevant industries, such as automotive and construction, as well as to block imports and distribution of unfairly traded products.

The event also included a wide range of presentations concerning the future of steel and construction, including the flow of demand for structural steel in each industry; current status of product development; current status and future prospects of steel using technologies in different industries, such as automotive, shipbuilding, home appliances and stainless steel; seismic design in steel structures; trends of Iran’s construction market; and future steel housing.

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POSCO Automobile Solution Seminar has been held every year since 2005 as a channel to introduce results and used technologies of R&D projects conducted by POSCO and World Auto Steel, the automotive group of the World Steel Association.

POSCO changed the name of the seminar to the “POSCO Automobile Solution Seminar” this year, along with expanded the scales and focused on promoting POSCO’s latest technologies for automobile solutions.

POSCO hosts the 2015 POSCO Automobile Solution Seminar, December 10 at the Global R&D Center in Songdo, Incheon

During the seminar, POSCO presented its R&D results for 2015, including the development progress of automotive steel such as advanced high strength sheet steel (AHSS) and the technological trends for lightweight car body. They also promoted the importance of joint growth and cooperation with customers, R&D institutions and universities, introducing POSCO’s solution marketing.

On special display were two torn down vehicles, showing the detailed analysis of interior components and attracting the audience’s attention. The audience took a look into the two torn down models, a small Peugeot SUV and a Dodge pickup truck, to understand the latest design trends and materials for vehicles.

Two torn down vehicles were displayed for detailed analysis of interior components and materials of the vehicles

Representatives said, “The seminar was very useful to learn in-depth technical knowledge of high strength sheet steel solutions. It will be a big help in automobile design and components processing in the future.”

Reshaping Women’s Fashion

Perhaps no other clothing item has played a more influential role in fashion than the corset. It first made an appearance in fashion 500 years ago, when it was used to mold the upper torso into a rigid cone-like shape. During this time, baleen (whalebone) was used as boning to support the desired shape and prevent wrinkling of the fabric. (Images: http://bit.ly/1SPecWV and http://bit.ly/1BFWH75 )

As baleen became more expensive, and the ideal body shape of the woman began to change in the 17^th and 18^th centuries, steel became the dominant boning material and was used to make the corset accentuate a woman’s natural curves. This led to a widespread public outcry: from medical doctors regarding health risks, from religious leaders upset about the garment’s revealing nature and from feminists, who claimed the corset was symbolic of the imprisonment of women at the time. (Though, it should be noted that even men and young children wore corsets, too!)

In the early 1900s, fashion placed greater emphasis on comfort and rigid steel boning was replaced by more flexible steel boning. Today, corsets are mostly limited to historical dramas and lingerie shops, but the item will forever be a symbol of “sexy” steel and femininity.

The Crinoline Craze

In the mid-19^th century, the crinoline, a structured petticoat, became a hot trend and was sported by just about every woman in the Western world.

Originally structured with horsehair, steel was widely used in the 1850s to make the hoop skirts spread out more fully. This new style was so popular that in 1859, the New York factory of Thomson & Co., one of the most significant manufacturers of the item, used 300,000 yards of steel wire every week to produce between three and four thousand crinolines per day. Likewise, the company’s rival, Douglas & Sherwood, used a ton of steel each week in manufacturing hoop skirts at its factory in Manhattan. (Images: http://bit.ly/1LtOLrU )

The crinoline eventually fell out of fashion, but was revived in the 1940s and 50s, and again in the 80s, when Vivienne Westwood created the mini-crini. This item was designed to embody two conflicting ideals of the era – the crinoline, representing a “mythology of restriction and encumbrance in woman’s dress,” and the miniskirt, symbolizing an “equally dubious mythology of liberation.” 

Steel-Inspired Subcultures

Other steel trends that cropped up during the 1970s-90s were inspired by the punk, heavy metal and rivethead subcultures that flourished during the three decades. The cultures’ associated dress styles incorporated military aesthetics, such as steel toe boots, with hints of Punk, like spikes and studs. Often, these styles were complemented by tattoos, piercings and scarification. (Image: http://bit.ly/1eTOaDE )

Steel toe boots, such as Dr. Martens, Gripfasts and Grinders, which had originally been used as a safety measure for industrial workers, became a popular choice of footwear for their rough and tough reputation. So tough, in fact, that they’ve been known to be the catalyst of injured concert-goers as a result of crowd surfing gone wrong.

Metallics in the New Millennium

When the 2000s began, fashion trends were highly influenced by technology. “Y2K fashion” featured a monochromatic futuristic approach with metallic hues, and a heavy use of the color gray, straps and buckles. Apparel was made to be reflective, technological and sexy, and even electronics became an accessory to complete the Y2K look. (Images: http://bit.ly/1JhFiBR ; http://bit.ly/1edGVFR )

This year, metallics, which capture the vibrancy of steel, have made a comeback on the catwalk. Designers have once again rolled out sophisticated styles with reflective touches, which fashionistas pair with toned-down staples like buttoned-up blouses and printed shirts to keep things shiny but not overly blinding.

Time will only tell what the future of fashion holds. But, if the past offers any hint of what’s to come, and it often does in fashion, then we are likely to see steel on the catwalk again sooner than later.