Sidenor Corporate Report 2019

31 As part of our commitment to continuous improvement, we work at turning Sidenor into a more modern, efficient and technological Group. The digital transformation we are promoting favours the development of new, data- based ways of working, with the objective of standardising processes, predicting the behaviour of defective products and optimising energy costs, among other advantages. Innovation leads us to develop pioneering products and services, but also makes us to a Group that is safer, more efficient, more competitive and more respectful of the environment. The work of Sidenor Research and Development, a non-profit entity which has been working at increasing Sidenor’s competitiveness for over 30 years, has directly contributed to this evolution. Sidenor R&D is mainly present in two areas: Process It aims at optimising and enhancing the techniques and processes used in production by launching new ones and implementing the latest technologies. The tools used for this purpose are the following: • Process monitoring as well as data analysis and processing • Physical and digital simulation, modelling and software development • Metallurgy proficiency associated with manufacturing processes. Product In this field, Sidenor R&D’s aim is to become a strategic partner for our customers. To do so, it applies all its knowledge and experience to designing new steel qualities, adapting existing qualities to new processes and technologies and identifying new applications and markets for our products. INNOVATION: TOWARDS INDUSTRY 4.0 innobar , our innovation brand The innobars concept allows us to identify and promote our most advanced products and processes, in addition to ensuring that they comply with the most demanding quality, safety and sustainability standards.