Introduction

OCAS

Since 2019, OCAS’s expertise in alloy and coating design, metal surface engineering, non-standard testing and modelling has been supplemented with ENDURES’s knowledge on microbiologically influenced corrosion, antifouling and protective coatings. Despite the global pandemic, it is a good illustration how collaboration is beneficial to serve our customers through an integrated and multi-disciplinary approach. We take this opportunity to sincerely thank our customers and partners for their trust and the strong working together we had over the past challenging years.

The European green deal, as sustainable recovery mechanism from the COVID 19 pandemic, paves the road to the clean energy transition by focusing on the key principles that will help to reduce CO2 emissions. Electrification is the most dynamic pillar of the energy transition. At OCAS, we are developing electrical steels to serve this electrification. We furthermore support ArcelorMittal to draft the necessary investment files to anticipate the growing demand for these steels. With hydrogen being considered as the main decarbonisation alternative for the hardto-abate sectors, OCAS is working on the compatibility of steels and other metals with hydrogen and developing hydrogen resistant steel grades for the hydrogen economy. At the same time, we are designing new steel based solutions to build the backbone for the decarbonisation efforts to transport CO2

for the implementation of carbon capture, utilisation and storage (CCUS).

As one of the leading product development labs for ArcelorMittal, OCAS has been involved in the conception and industrial upscaling of the various steel grades and coatings enabling environmental improvements. At the same time, the steel making journey towards net zero calls for numerous process-related, logistical, and metallurgical alternatives. OCAS is therefore initiating R&D support to face these challenges by fine-tuning and validating metallurgical routes to ensure the product quality of this new product range.

Being confronted with the increasing demand in and cost of energy, durability and lifetime prediction have become essential. OCAS helps asset owners to assess their infrastructure regarding fitfor-purpose. Together with ENDURES and GUARANTEED we are involved in analysing failures, proposing adequate repair methods and remedy actions to prevent failures from occurring again. So, whilst we develop the steels of tomorrow, we are proving the integrity of today’s steels with new applications as well.

OCAS’ ambition is to carry out our research effectively, according to the highest quality standards and with maximum scientific profoundness. That is why, several years ago, ‘digitalisation’ and ‘nano-characterisation’ were defined as key enablers for the research centre. Today, OCAS is active in all digital fields of artificial intelligence, machine learning, data mining, etc. Impressive progress has been made on plant database analysis, computer vision and digital image analysis in the fields of martensitic steels, electrical steels and high strength low alloy steels.

Last year, OCAS relocated its microscopy instruments and added new state-of-the art equipment to improve and enlarge our service offer in materials’ characterisation and failure analysis in the nano to nearatomic size range. We look forward to continue providing expertise and services to you all.

Serge Claessens, CTO & COO, OCAS Sven Vandeputte, Managing Director, OCAS