Merger of Arcelor and Mittal Steel

Thanks to the merger of Arcelor and Mittal Steel, OCAS’s perimeter expanded from European to global.

Renewed missions embrace the open innovation approach

“3@work” is established between Ghent University, CRM (Centre for research in metallurgy) and OCAS. Its success is immediate: by sharing equipment and lab space, optimized logistics result in a considerable increase in output whilst reducing operating and maintenance cost. Each of the involved partners can furthermore retain its unique selling proposition and the overall health & safety policy is upgraded. On top of that, students of the University faculties have access to state-of-the-art metallurgical processing equipment, enriching their lab practices. 

Reorientation of OCAS activities

During the restructuring of Arcelor’s research activities, OCAS shifts from automotive towards general industry sector. As a result, OCAS’s field of activities is enlarged to a multitude of sectors, dealing with a much wider product mix.

Approval “Staalvriendelijk Vlaanderen” by Flemish government

The project approval of “Staalvriendelijk Vlaanderen” (Steel-friendly Flanders), confirmed by the European Commission in 2004, is an important milestone for OCAS. In addition to anchoring its know-how in the region, “Staalvriendelijk Vlaanderen” enabled OCAS to expand its research activities.

First decade of OCAS

From its start in 1991, OCAS bridges the production of thin flat steel with its customers in the field of automotive and stainless steel.  

During the first decade, the activities of OCAS were therefore mainly focused on major production steps in automotive: forming, assembly and coating.

Official inauguration of OCAS nv

Official inauguration of OCAS nv (OnderzoeksCentrum voor de Aanwending van Staal), the brand new research centre of Sidmar (currently ArcelorMittal Gent), Laminoir de Dudelange and ALZ (currently Aperam).