SIJ ACRONI STRENGTHENS ITS POSITION AS A STRATEGIC HIGH-TECH SUPPLIER

SIJ Acroni is consolidating its role as a strategic partner to the automotive industry with two important new milestones: the acquisition of the globally recognised IATF 16949 certification and the production of the first series of highly sophisticated NO 27-14 electrical steel, intended for the traction motors of electric vehicles. 

Both achievements build on an EUR 18 million investment in the upgrade of the heat treatment line for non-oriented electrical steel, which the company commissioned in June 2024, and further establish electrical steel as SIJ Acroni's third business pillar. This also puts SIJ Acroni firmly on track to achieve its goal of becoming the first in Europe to produce the demanding NO 25-12 electrical steel grade using a recycling-based process by the end of the year.

The upgrade of the heat treatment line for non-oriented electrical steel marked a major step forward for SIJ Group in the development of steels for electric mobility. By upgrading its production facilities, SIJ Acroni has laid a solid foundation for manufacturing top-quality SIWATT electrical steels, which are a key component in the motors of next-generation electric vehicles. At the same time, the energy efficiency of the line was improved, and production capacity was increased by 20%. With this, SIJ Acroni has positioned its third business pillar—cold-rolled, high-silicon electrical steel—alongside stainless and special steels.

Strategic Investment Leads to IATF 16949 Certification and NO 27-14 Electrical Steel

Building on its strategic investment, SIJ Acroni successfully achieved IATF 16949 certification in the first half of 2025—the highest global quality standard for the automotive industry. Based on the ISO 9001 system, the certification includes additional requirements for the entire automotive supply chain. This certification confirms the reliability, traceability, and stability of SIJ Acroni’s cold-rolled steel production processes, as well as the company’s commitment to continuous improvement. It also opens the door to cooperation with automotive manufacturers worldwide, in one of the industry’s most demanding sectors.

Another major milestone is the development and successful production of the first sample quantities of NO 27-14 electrical steel—a product requiring exceptionally precise heat treatment and offering high electromagnetic performance. SIJ Acroni demonstrates that even the most demanding, top-quality electrical steel can be produced using a circular, sustainable technological process—something that many automotive customers previously considered nearly impossible. This achievement is a direct result of the upgraded production line, which enables compliance with the strictest technical specifications for future electric vehicle drives. Sample quantities are already prepared for potential automotive customers.

Aiming Even Higher

SIJ Acroni's next objective is to become the first producer in Europe to manufacture NO 25-12 cold-rolled strips exclusively by recycling steel scrap, significantly reducing the carbon footprint compared to products made from natural raw materials such as ore.

As a niche steel producer, SIJ Acroni already operates according to the principles of the circular economy.  Currently, 97 percent of its electrical steel is produced from recycled material, and the total carbon footprint—Scopes 1, 2, and 3—is less than 700 kg CO₂ per tonne. This positions the company among the world's leading steel producers in terms of environmental performance. With these achievements, SIJ Acroni further strengthens its role within the GREen MObility (GREMO) mission and makes a vital contribution to transforming Slovenia’s automotive industry into one of Europe's leading hubs for the development of green and sustainable mobility.

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SIJ – Slovenian Steel Group is one of Europe's leading producers of stainless steel and special steels. We are committed to global and European climate goals and operate in line with circular economy principles. With our steel and steel products, we are the right partner for facilitating the green transition in Europe. We confirmed our sustainability credentials by achieving certification to the stringent ResponsibleSteel standard in 2024. This positions us as one of the world's most responsible and sustainable steel producers. Our two largest companies are modern recycling steelworks, and our steel is recycled because it is made from steel scrap. With more than 3,600 employees, we are one of the largest employers in Slovenia and a pillar of the Slovenian steel sector. We are one of Slovenia's leading exporters. About 85% of our revenue is generated in foreign markets. 

Find out more at: 

SIJ – Slovenska industrija jekla, d.d. 

Mag. Sara Wagner, Head of Corporate Communications 

Corporate Communications 

Phone: +386 1 242 98 27 

Mobile: +386 41 313 532 

E-mail: sara.wagner@sij.si