Oct. 01, 2020

Nippon Steel Corporation

Nippon Steel Corporation (hereafter "Nippon Steel") has been awarded the Good Design Award 2020 by the Japan Institute of Design Promotion (JDP) for our new product FeLuce^TM (hairline-finished electroplated steel sheet), which has consequently become our first steel sheet to win this prestigious award.

 

FeLuce is a novel type of steel sheet created using a groundbreaking production method that adds designs to plating layers applied to achieve corrosion resistance. Instead of the conventional method that paints and films the  surface of sheets, we adopted a simple production method that compliments the natural steel texture to preserve steel's natural beauty while achieving a high level of functionality, which is an important product requirement. We also made sure that the final product would be lean and eco-friendly. By solving a variety of dilemmas that were inevitable in product design, FeLuce has further broadened its potential in this field.

We expect that FeLuce will be used for a variety of field such as home appliances, industrial equipment, steel furniture and interior construction materials. This novel collection will be available in two classic colors—FeLuce Black gives a sophisticated and composed feeling while FeLuce Silver's rich reflectiveness fits well into the surrounding space (to be released in January, 2021).

 

A program dedicated to improving our lifestyles and society through design, the Good Design Award and its G Mark symbol have become widely known since the program's launch in 1957.

■ Comments by a committee member
Laminated or coated steel plates are covered with film coatings, etc., which detract from their natural steel texture. FeLuce, on the other hand, maintains its natural material texture because the zinc plating layer applied to the steel surface for corrosion resistance is directly hairline-polished without adding multiple decorations, materials, manufacturing steps. FeLuce's excellent design deserves high praise for its combination of novel ideas and advanced technologies that resulted in a marriage of steel's natural beauty and high product functionality.

▼ What does "FeLuce" mean?
Fe: Element symbol for "ferrum" or “iron”
+
Luce: "light" in Italian
"Feluce" represents our hope that the natural steel texture will shed light on new potential.

Nippon Steel is in constant pursuit of the world's best technologies and manufacturing capabilities. We continuously contribute to social development while staying compliant with the Sustainable Development Goals, or the SDGs ("12. Responsible consumption and production" "13. Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts") adopted by the United Nations.

For inquiries
Public Relations Center 　Tel.: +81-3-6867-2146