As new technology comes to light, the important role that steel plays in society and industry continues to evolve at a steady rate.
Disseminating this updated information was the mission of a recent unique event, Innovators Café at ArcelorMittal Global R&D Center in East Chicago.
“Steel is the fundamental building block of northwest Indiana,” said John Davies, managing director of The Society of Innovators of Northwest Indiana, as he greeted the crowd of 100. “And ArcelorMittal is the largest steelmaker in the world.”
The purpose of the get-together, which was co-hosted by Ivy Tech’s Gerald I. Lamkin Innovation & Entrepreneurship Center with The Society of Innovators of Northwest Indiana, was to inform leaders in northwest Indiana about ground-breaking activities on products and services for steel.
Attendees are treated to lunch before the presentations of progress and tours began, thus the name of Innovators Café.
Attendees, who ranged from educators to business owners as well as the general public, listened to six ArcelorMittal representatives discuss new strides in steelmaking.
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“Some of the topics they have on the agenda are things that ultimately are of concern to all of us,” said business owner Mary Harrington of Merrillville. “Steel is everywhere and such a big part of our lives.”
The mission statement of Society of Innovators of Northwest Indiana includes cultivating creativity and innovation as a growth strategy by discovering, encouraging, celebrating and honoring the most innovative people across their seven counties.
This month’s café at ArcelorMittal reflected that statement; as the steel giant is known for its advancements in the industry.
The six topics covered were Advanced Linepipe Steels: high strength and toughness for above and below ground transport; Puncture Resistant Tank Car Steels; Duracorr (R) product: building safe bridges that will not corrode for 125 years; Steel Safety Barriers: a safer, cost effective high containment center median barrier solution; Advanced Automotive Steels: designed to meet future safety and fuel efficiency standards; and Community Awareness Programs.
Duracorr(R) is a dual-phase stainless steel product that weathers better than those in the past. The chemical compound exceeds standards, is more corrosion-resistant than others, and does not need constant maintenance, which means no continual sandblasting or over-spraying.
“This (Duracorr(R)) is an environmentally superior product,” said ArcelorMitttal representative Martin Francis. “Bridges built today using this product will not need maintenance before 2140.”
ArcelorMittal’s research and development facility, one of only 12 in America and Europe, was built in the 1960s near Columbus Drive. The company’s name at that time was Inland Steel.
The 42-acre area includes five buildings where research, designing, implementation and testing are conducted by a current staff of 200 employees.
After the presentations, the audience broke into small groups to tour the facilities.
Attendee William Halliar of Michigan City is a retired project manager from the rail industry.
“We’re seeing things now we couldn’t even imagine in years past,” he said, as he observed the various labs along the tour. “I’m just amazed at what they’re doing today.”
The Society continues to search and spotlight other innovators for future cafes.
“Ivy Tech Community College Northwest is proud to have launched The Society of Innovators as part of our Gerald I. Lamkin Innovation & Entrepreneurship Center in 2005, ” said Thomas G. Coley, Northwest and North Central Chancellor.
The Society honors Gerald I. Lamkin, who for over 40 years, had the dream of a truly comprehensive community college for Indiana, which has been realized with Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana.
O’Merrial Butchee is secretary/treasurer of the Society of Innovators of Northwest Indiana, and also serves as director of the Gerald I. Lamkin Innovation & Entrepreneurship Center at Ivy Tech.
While on the recent tour through the labs of the R&D facility, she commented that the Innovators Café series serves as an important eye-opener in many ways, for many people. “This (ArcelorMittal R&D) facility is one of northwest Indiana’s most precious jewels,” she added. “The things they are designing here impact not only our area, but the entire world.”
Sue Ellen Ross is a freelance writer for the Post-Tribune.