Sidenor 2020 Corporate Report

15 which aims at reducing the weight and improving the dynamic behaviour of very thick elastic components. The steels and processes developed in this project enable a reduction by 20% in the weight of suspensions and a duplication of their fatigue life.   We launch the Bideratu 4.0 programme, Sidenor’s development programme for facilitators, with the aim to help improvement and routine facilitators acquire and develop the necessary skills to proactively participate in the management and leadership of their teams in the environment of Industry 4.0. NOVEMBER   We complete the investment in a new rolling mill in our Basauri plant. This centre’s rolling capacity thus increases to 500,000 tonnes a year, while the bar manufacturing spectrum is extended. This major investment also improves product and process quality, resulting in increased competitiveness and efficiency.   We renew and extend our promissory note programme in the Alternative Fixed- Income Market to 35 million euros. DECEMBER   Cancellation of the contracts suspension measure applied to all working centres affected and to all workers included in the temporary workforce restructuring plan as of December 26th, 2020. This cancellation results from the improved number of orders.   With the strategic aim to position Vitoria as a supplier of higher value-added products, we finalise the start-up of a complete and modern facility, which includes an in-line induction furnace for bars at Vitoria. In addition, we complete the installation and configuration of an ultrasound equipment in the Schumag PM1 turning machine. With these two investments, Sidenor Bright Steels now belongs to the first-rate calibration companies in Europe and is prepared to address the increasingly higher quality requirements and demands of customers.   Within the framework of the RFCS programme, in its 2020 call, Sidenor further demonstrates its leading position and achieves an excellent result, with the approval of six projects, which implies a success rate that is much higher than the average. Besides, two of these projects are coordinated by the Company and linked to future demands, both in terms of electric car transmissions and gears for the wind energy sector, leading to reductions in CO 2 emissions.   We work together with the Engineering School of Bilbao and SIDEREX on launching a steelmaking business seminar named ROOM4STEEL.   We create the Sidenhol , platform, which is dedicated to circular economy. Our partner in this project is Enhol, a prestigious Company in this area.