CWIEME 2019
May 21 - 23, 2019, in Berlin
The most recent CWIEME trade fair was a place for players in Europe’s transformer, electric motor, and power generation industries to come together – so, naturally, the Electrical Steel and Automotive business units from thyssenkrupp Steel were in attendance.
After all, our powercore® trade mark electrical steel is greatly contributing to the success of theenergy transition – for the following reasons:
Our innovative powercore® Black Edition and bondal® E steel grades aroused a great deal of interest at the event.
powercore® Black Edition trade mark grain-oriented electrical steel, which features black insulation coating, offers better handling and further processing properties than conventional coating for grain-oriented electrical steel grades does. More importantly, it makes it possible to reduce transformer noise emission.
Meanwhile, our non-oriented bondal® E electrical steel is an impact noise reducing composite material that improves the acoustics of electric motors in electric cars.
Here you find interesting information about our electrical steel portfolio. From non grain oriented electrical steel of the powercore® brand for generators through highly siliconized and poly-purpose grades for electric mobility down to grain oriented powercore® for transformers - we offer the right material for the efficient generation, conversion, distribution and use of electricity.
"empowering you" is our trade fair motto this year. For this is exactly our goal: We want to offer you exactly what you need for your work. Be it material concepts, process optimizations or processing support - we are at your side. Be it with our portfolio of application-oriented steel grades, our functional insulation coatings for efficient manufacturing processes, or the development of grades for electromobility.
We listen, advise and develop for you.
We focus on intensive cooperations and close exchange.
We make (almost) everything possible.
We are continuously developing and working on new material concepts for our customers. Some of the results will be presented at our booth A21 in Hall 2.2a-b in Berlin.
Moreover, we will present our new products bondal® and the insulation coating powercore® Black Edition at the fair. bondal® is astructure-borne sound-damping composite material that reduces tthe electromagnetic sound pressure level and improves the acoustics of electric motors in electric vehicles. The Black Edition enables our customers from the transformer industry to reduce the sound emission of transformers. In addition, the new black surface offers better handling and processing properties than conventional coatings for grain-oriented electrical steel grades.
In a nutshell: Once again this year, we have the right materials, comprehensive manufacturing and process know-how and the right service for you. In addition, the focus at our booth will be on digitization. With the VR Experience or with our AR application, you can immerse yourself deeply in the virtual world of our products and services and experience our process and product advantages first hand. We look forward to seeing you!
You will find us in Berlin, from May 21 through 23, 2019, in Hall 2.2a-b, booth A21.
Dr. Jens Overrath, CEO of the Electrical Steel business unit, talks about the importance of electrical steel in the energy transition
Mr. Overrath – in light of the fact that we are currently in the run-up to CWIEME, what is the biggest challenge in your industry right now?
I would say that it’s the same challenge we’ve been facing for the last few years – and that’s making the energy transition a reality. The trade fair CWIEME, which is held annually in Berlin as an international meeting place for the transformer, electric motor, and energy generation industries, is the ideal marketplace for us to present our latest electrical steel types and their applications.
(c) picture: Shutterstock
What role does electrical steel play in the energy transition?
Electrical steel is the ultimate driver of the energy transition. Our material is needed anywhere that energy has to be transferred or converted – such as non-oriented electrical steel for generators and engines, and grain-oriented electrical steel for transformer cores. Or to say it very simply: without us, there is no energy transition.
So you supply the material used to manufacture products that are making the energy transition a reality.
That’s right. So we don’t manufacture transformers, for example – that’s something that our customers do. Their customers in turn are energy providers. But we also have to know what our customers’ customers will need in the future. Or to take it one step further – the trajectory technical developments in the field of energy system transformation and electromobility will take.
What technical challenges does Electrical Steel face in the production of grain-oriented electrical steel?
Let’s take an issue that has been driven forward significantly over the years: energy efficiency. Manufacturing electrical steel with low power losses is an innovation driver for us – electrical steel is a highly innovative material. However, it is only possible to produce it using extremely sophisticated thermal heat treatment processes. That is why we consistently invest in the most cutting-edge technologies at our sites in Gelsenkirchen (Germany), Isbergues (France) and Nashik (India).
I suppose that’s also in line with your motto, ‘Thinking about tomorrow today?’
We have already been thinking about tomorrow – and even the day after tomorrow – since yesterday. When it comes to all material-related issues, we’ve done our homework. We are currently able to supply highly differentiated and effective materials for the entire process, from power generation, to transport and distribution, right through to consumption.
How would you evaluate your competitors’ products?
There is naturally competition in this sector when it comes to materials. However, despite adverse weather conditions such as temperature fluctuations, humidity and lightning strikes, the power transmission equipment must ensure an undisturbed power supply. After all, the end customer expects a reliable energy supply around the clock and 365 days a year. In comparison with other materials for energy transmission, our electrical steel offers the required high operational reliability in addition to its extremely high energy efficiency.
So what you’re saying is that it’s a material that not every company can make?
Electrical steel, in particular grain-oriented electrical steel, is one of the most demanding materials that a steel producer can offer in its product range. Only six providers worldwide are able to manufacture premium goods in this segment, and the Electrical Steel business unit is one of them.
Would you say this means that electrical steel is one of the most pioneering materials there is?
I truly believe that it is. In the future, even more electrical energy will be required around the world for infrastructure, personal consumption, and mobility. Just think, for example, of charging stations for electromobility – electrical steel is needed anywhere that electrical energy is transferred and transported.