At Fos-sur-Mer in the South of France, ArcelorMittal is in partnership with EDF Energie Nouvelles, operating a 15-hectare solar farm on industrial land owned by ArcelorMittal.

The structure that supports the solar panels is made from steel coated with ArcelorMittal’s Magnelis® metallic coating product. Offering remarkable corrosion protection, especially needed on solar farms, which are typically exposed to extremes of temperature, moisture and salt, Magnelis® combines zinc with 3.5% aluminium and 3% magnesium. Its effect is that when the steel surface becomes exposed, for example on edges, welds, perforations or scratches, Magnelis® naturally forms a very dense, practically impenetrable zinc-based protective film over the exposed area.