ArcelorMittal Construction takes part in ITER, one of the most ambitious energy projects in the world

Wall Cladding courtesy of ArcelorMittal Construction France

Five buildings are included in this project, of which the heart of the facility - the Tokamak Building - a seven-storey structure in reinforced concrete that will sit 13 metres below the platform level and 60 metres above, with a total length of 97 metres.

For the façade, the architect chose to combine two long-life materials, stainless steel and coated Hairexcel^® dark grey steel. Performance, protection, appearance and total cost effectiveness are the factors that have been taken into consideration when Hairexcel^® was selected.

Focus on Hairexcel^®

The metallic Hairexcel^® coating was the perfect choice for this project, as it offers a very shiny appearance. Hairexcel^® offers a unique combination of properties, such as:

• Exceptional UV protection and weatherability
• Color and gloss stability with no geographical limitation
• Very good abrasion resistance
• Excellent adhesion properties
• Toughness and flexibility with excellent impact resistance
• Cost effectiveness
• Environmental-friendly, none hazardous substance, best in class for volatile organic compound emission

How is it installed?

A first layer of steel liner trays is bolted to the steel structure of the building, then a 130 mm rockwool insulation is added on top of it. This layer is covered by a membrane in order to insure air tightness. On the top of the three layers, the 15 m long steel profiled TRAPEZA^® 5.183.39  stainless high gloss and dark grey prepainted Hairexcel^® are installed.

What is ITER?

In the South of France (Bouches-du-Rhône department in Provence), 35 countries are collaborating to build the world's largest tokamak, a magnetic fusion device that has been designed to prove the feasibility of fusion as a large-scale and carbon-free source of energy based on the same principle that powers our Sun and stars. The experimental campaign that will be carried out at ITER is crucial to advancing fusion science and preparing the way for the fusion power plants of tomorrow.

The International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor will be the first fusion device to produce net energy and will also be the first to maintain fusion for long periods of time. In addition, ITER will be the first fusion device to test the integrated technologies, materials, and physics regimes necessary for the commercial production of fusion-based electricity.

First Plasma is scheduled for December 2025, this will be the official start of ITER operation.