Research into EPS technology began in 2006, using prototype equipment to verify that blasting a ‘slurry’ of water and steel grit could acceptably descale hot rolled strip. Next, we built and operated a production scale EPS processing line as a working laboratory. It helped us improve the process, collect data to assess its economics, and provide thousands of EPS’d coils for use in countless industries. These coils proved that EPS pickled steel is fully interchangeable with acid pickled steel.

Today, EPS pickling operations around the world produce environmentally-friendly pickled hot roll strip. Milestones achieved along the way:

• 7 US patents awarded for EPS
• Multiple patents in virtually every developed country
• 2011 AMM Award Winner for Environmental Stewardship
• 2016 AMM Award Winner for Best Process Innovation
• EPS approved and used by automotive OEMs: GM, Ford, Chrysler, Nissan, VW, BMW

EPS processing doesn’t affect steel chemistry or hardness, so you buy the same grades and specs you always have. After EPS pickling, that steel has a notably superior surface:

• More uniform surface than acid pickling
• Mitigates surface defects
• Dry, oil-free surface that inhibits rusting