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In recent decades, the explosive development of technology has revolutionized our lives in many areas. From smartphones to smart homes, digital devices are increasingly integrated into our everyday lives. One of the most exciting and forward-looking trends is ambient computing, i.e. computer technology that blends into the environment.

Parallel to the explosive development of digitalization, cybercrime is also taking on increasingly sophisticated and aggressive forms. For companies, cyber threats are no longer just a negligible risk, but a serious business threat that can even lead to the cessation of their operations. thyssenkrupp now looks at the most common cyber threats that threaten not only steel players, but all large companies, and presents some effective defense strategies.

The rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping all sectors of industry. From manufacturing to logistics to customer service, AI-based solutions revolutionize work processes, improve efficiency and increase productivity. The application of AI in industry has now become a key factor in competitiveness. Let's see what new trends and developments can be expected in the industrial application of AI in 2024!

thyssenkrupp Materials Services and software provider CarbonChain have partnered to develop an approach to track greenhouse gas emissions from steel production and set standards for supplier transparency. Thanks to this, suppliers and customers of the European material distribution units of thyssenkrupp Materials Services can now access the carbon footprint of the product on demand.

thyssenkrupp Materials Eastern Europe is constantly working on enhancing sustainability by introducing new solutions and technologies aiming to improve our approach to resource usage. From the launch of our innovative carbon footprint calculator to our commitment to CO2-optimized materials and green services, we are dedicated to reducing carbon emissions through practical tools and initiatives.

For thyssenkrupp, sustainability is not just a slogan, but a company that participates in the spirit of its activities and decisions when considering environmental, social and economic aspects in order to operate sustainably in the long term. Integrating the concept of sustainability into the corporate strategy means that thyssenkrupp not only considers the needs and expectations of the current generation, but also seeks a business model that is safe and sustainable for future generations.

The term industrial metaverse is being heard more and more frequently in the world of technology, and it increasingly seems to herald a new era in the online space. The concept was created from the intertwining of the metaverse and industry, which means a common platform operating in virtual reality, where companies can interact with each other and their customers. The metaverse originally meant a set of virtual realities, but the industrial metaverse is its further development, which tailors the experience and opportunities to the industrial sectors. The goal is to create valuable connections in an integrated digital space where companies can easily collaborate, implement projects and share information.

There are many machining methods in the steel industry, cut-to-size is one of them, which is crucial for efficiency, quality and productivity. Since steel production is traditionally based on complex and precise processes, precision formed steel sheets offer significant advantages at every stage of the manufacturing process, because boards cut to predetermined dimensions can be processed more easily and quickly to achieve the desired end result.

The goal of the European Union (EU) is to achieve climate neutrality, with which it wants to set a precedent in the field of global environmental protection. The essence of climate neutrality is to create a balance between the emission and absorption of greenhouse gases, which ideally results in a zero impact on the climate. The EU and its key partners, such as thyssenkrupp Materials, are committed to the fight against climate change and a sustainable future.

Our customers' feedback is invaluable. We have analysed the results of the customer survey 2023 for the Operational Unit Materials Eastern Europe. Not only were the participation rates very high, but the Net Promoter Scores (NPS) also exceeded previous results. The participation rate in 2023 reached a new all-time high for the Operational Unit, even though we piloted the fully non-anonymous approach. The turnover-weighted Operational Unit score increased by more than 8pp from 63.0 in 2021 to 71.4 in 2023. All Group Companies were able to increase their NPS compared to the previous survey. 

Let us offer a heartfelt thank you to every customer who contributed the survey! Your insights drive us forward!

In the world of business-to-business (B2B) trade, customer focus is one of the determining factors for success. Today, companies can't offer enough performance and services – today's B2B needs to prioritize building strong relationships and delivering an exceptional customer experience.

thyssenkrupp Materials Services is at the forefront of digitizing supply chains, which is why it uses intelligent tools to create value with data. The role of digitization in supply chains cannot be overestimated, as it is a key factor in addressing the changing challenges of global trade.

The concept of industry 5.0 is coming more and more often, but not everyone is aware of what this name means. Industry 5.0, also known as the fifth industrial revolution, is a new and evolving phase of industrialization in which humans work hand-in-hand with advanced technology and robots controlled by artificial intelligence to improve workplace processes. Industry 5.0 is essentially a new manufacturing concept, which is the next phase after Industry 4.0, the current industrial revolution, which means cooperation between increasingly efficient and precise machines and the unique creative potential of humans. The focus of Industry 5.0 is human-centeredness, sustainability and flexibility.

In the area of production, the choice of materials plays a decisive role in the quality of the finished product. Among the many options available, cold drawn or bright steels are one of the best choices. Cold drawn steels are a shining example of metallurgical innovation and have many advantages that make them the primary choice in various industries. They can be used primarily for metal cutting operations, their most important feature is the high dimensional accuracy, thanks to which the finished part no longer requires further processing, so its use is cost-effective.

Despite the saying that good wine does not need a name plate, it is very difficult to stand out from the sea of ​​competition and draw attention to a product or service without advertisements. Although online campaigns account for an increasing proportion of companies' advertising budgets today, many physical advertising tools are still used to capture the attention of target audiences. The so-called advertising plastics are ideal for this purpose, and thanks to their versatility, they can be used in countless ways and for various purposes.

In today's globalized economy, the competitiveness of the supply chain is of fundamental importance for all businesses, regardless of size. A well-managed, stable and efficient supply chain directly affects the company's bottom line, as cost-effective procurement, efficient delivery and optimized inventory management all contribute to higher profit margins and increased customer satisfaction. Since these factors determine competitiveness to a large extent, no company can afford to ignore this area today.

Dear Partner!

Meet colleagues from the Eastern European region of thyssenkrupp Materials at Blech Expo 2023 in Stuttgart, Germany!

One of the most popular types of structural steel is hot-rolled bar steel, which is heated to between 900 and 1300 degrees Celsius before rolling. The process makes it easier to shape the rod, it becomes stronger and more flexible, and the internal tension of the material also decreases. Particularly advantageous properties of rolled bar steels include weldability and corrosion resistance, which make them popular in many applications. Also preferred in various industries such as construction, engineering and automotive.

Those who stand still and do not develop continuously, the world speeds by. Innovation is not an investment in the distant future, but a guarantee of survival and the preservation of market position. In a constantly changing, rapidly developing world, no one can afford to sit idly by, especially not when it comes to Europe's largest material distribution and service company. Thyssenkrupp Materials Services started implementing digital innovations in supply chains in 2019 and has since achieved many successes in this area.

It is no exaggeration to say that robotics has revolutionized the industry, its application has many benefits, such as increasing efficiency, reducing costs and improving safety. Besides that, it also enabled the automation of many processes, from assembly line production to material handling. The application of robotics is no longer the music of the future, but the reality of the present, just like the automation and digitization of logistics processes.

Steel sections are sections that are hollow, square or rectangular in shape and have become increasingly popular in recent years as they have many advantages over traditional solid steel sections. The use of hollow sections has become popular primarily in applications where weight reduction is a key consideration. Due to the hollow design of the sections, their weight/strength ratio is significantly lower compared to solid steel sections of similar size. This means that they are ideal for creating structures that require high strength but low weight, such as bridges, transmission towers and offshore platforms.

Alloyed structural steel is a steel grade that is produced using various alloying elements such as manganese, nickel, chromium, molybdenum or vanadium. These elements are added to steel to make it stronger, more durable and wear-resistant. Alloyed structural steel is widely used in construction, automotive, aerospace and processing industry due to its beneficial properties.

Steel is primarily alloyed with carbon, because carbon and other alloys increase the strength of steel and therefore reduce ductility. The purpose of this is to make it one of the most stable materials with an atomic structure in the universe, and the best structural building material known today, which, in addition to its high wear resistance, also makes it suitable for use in places subject to severe stress. In addition to high strength and toughness, good weldability and the controllability of strength and deformation properties within wide limits are also among the beneficial properties of steels used in the construction industry. There is also stainless steel, which is not damaged by the moisture and oxygen content of the air, which means that its surface does not rust.

Digitalization is one of the most frequently used words of our time, but not everyone knows that it does not only mean that we use digital tools. Digitalization is a much more complex process, behind which there is also a change in the way of thinking. With its help, we can achieve new results through new tools and new procedures. For a large company, digitalization is key to maintaining competitiveness and optimizing costs, but it also helps to serve customer needs and increase efficiency and quality. Digitalization in material distribution is not an option, it is essential in order to be able to stay on our feet in the future in the competition against new players.

The steel industry is one of the most important sectors of the European Union, producing around 160 million tons of finished steel annually. However, the importance of the steel industry goes beyond the more production of steel, since we can assess its true impact on society and the economy only if we take into account the role of both the supplier and the customer side. As a raw material, steel plays a key role in many industries, and its economic impact is extremely significant. The steel industry employs a total of 2.3 million people within the EU and is responsible for more than 96 million jobs worldwide, taking into account the global supply chain. That is why securing the supply chain and making it more sustainable is extremely important.

We were delighted to have been part of the birth of this fantastic building from 2019. thyssenkrupp Materials Hungary Ltd. supplied the fabrication and construction companies with ca. 8 200 m2 of gold-coloured (Spectra Desert Gold 921) Alucobond aluminium composite sheets with which we were able to provide the designer's vision of light wells and gilded leaf suspended ceilings in line with our MaaS strategy.

Plates can be rolled from any metal, and the use of plates made in this way is extremely wide. thyssenkrupp Materials in Eastern Europe offers copper plates, aluminum plates and, of course, steel plates as well. Steel plates can be divided into two main categories based on the manufacturing process: hot-rolled and cold-rolled steel plates. We present them briefly in our latest blog article.

Aluminium is the third most abundant element in the earth's crust - a very light metal with a specific gravity only one-third that of steel. However, it has excellent mechanical properties compared to its weight. Thanks to this, its application can significantly reduce energy consumption in certain areas, including in aircraft manufacturing, since it does not matter at all how many tons the aircraft that needs to be lifted into the air is. In addition to its light weight, one of its favorable features is that it does not corrode. It can be made practically completely corrosion-resistant by painting, varnishing, anodizing or other surface treatment methods, which is a basic requirement in the case of tall buildings, for example. But even without treatment, its lifespan is several decades.

The quality of the basic materials used always affects the end result, whether it is construction, cooking or even furniture making. In the case of steel and non-ferrous metals, this is perhaps an even more important factor than elsewhere, moreover, the peculiarity of metallurgical products is that it is not always possible to produce a product that is completely compact and free of material discontinuity. If we do not want this to endanger the stability of a building or a vehicle, the selected basic materials must be carefully examined before they are used. There are destructive and non-destructive methods for testing materials - ultrasonic material testing belongs to the latter category.

When planning a project in the construction industry, machine industry or automotive industry, a number of factors must be taken into account, and one of the most important of them is the choice of the right materials, which greatly affects the quality of the final result and the economy of the project. It can be decisive how durable the selected materials are, how they react to extreme weather conditions, or what style they represent aesthetically. In case of steel, stainless steel materials and non-ferrous metals other aspects should also be taken into account, such as quality and availability.