Steel company SSAB says it is experiencing “rapidly growing interest in the business concept ‘Hardox In My Body’. In addition to delivery of high strength steel, the concept includes providing customers with technology and marketing support. In return, customers must complete SSAB’s certification process.” When SSAB launched the program, customers gave it a warm reception. The Hardox name was well established as one of the strongest and most sought-after abrasion-resistant steels.Now, ten years later, the concept is meeting rapidly growing interest all over the world and adding new markets. “Customers have recognised the benefits of being able to use the Hardox brand in their marketing while also gaining access to our knowledge of materials,” says Mats Sjöström, Project Manager and responsible for Marketing Communications for Hardox in markets such as Turkey, where truck body manufacturer Özdesan is the latest to benefit from the business concept in its operations.

“It’s important because we give customers the right to use Hardox In My Body in their own marketing and it becomes something of a seal of quality for the end product,” says Sjöström. “That’s why everyone must complete the certification process to gain access to the concept.”

Underlying the strong interest is an abrasion-resistant steel that opens the door to stronger and lighter designs. “Usually, the weight can be cut by at least 1.5 t in this type of structure if you make it in Hardox,” says Robert Lind, Area Technical Manager for Turkey at SSAB. “The Hardox properties quite simply open a number of opportunities to optimise design. And the end result is a stronger and more durable product with better operating economy.

“For buyers of truck bodies and other parts where wear is high, Hardox is a quality guarantee for which they are prepared to pay extra,” says Lind. “Our concept contributes to the business success of our customers in many ways, through better and more efficient products, and through access to a strong brand.”