Forster chooses XCarb^® recycled and renewably produced Magnelis^® for its all-steel profiles

November 2025

Forster Profile Systems develops and manufactures safe, energy-efficient solutions in steel and stainless steel for doors, windows and facades in Switzerland. Their profiles are sold around the world although Europe remains the company’s leading market. Most of Forster’s system profiles are made from flat steels supplied by ArcelorMittal.

The main customers for Forster’s products are metal fabricators who create profiles based on the designs of architects and building owners. The profiles are turned into window, door, or facade solutions by specialist fabricators. “We train the fabricators in the optimal processing techniques for our systems and provide technical support,” notes Willi Lüchinger, CEO of the Forster Group.

Magnelis^® for easy weldability and protection

Forster has been utilising Magnelis^® from ArcelorMittal Europe – Flat Products to create its all-steel solutions, which are free of plastics, since they became aware of the unique steel coating in 2015. The self-healing properties of Magnelis^® offer exceptional corrosion protection during transport and storage of the profiles. Welding operations are also simplified with Magnelis^®, enabling Forster to create high-quality and durable profiles.

“In our business, the zinc-aluminium-magnesium Magnelis^® coating is primarily there to provide corrosion protection in transport and storage,” says Willi Lüchinger. “But the biggest benefit of Magnelis^® to us is the quality of the welding process. It is almost as easy to weld as black steel.”

Sustainability, innovation, & XCarb^®

Sustainability is a key driver in Forster’s business as Willi Lüchinger explains: “Dealing with resources in a mindful way is part of our DNA.” To enhance the sustainability of its operations, Forster has recently built a state-of-the-art headquarters, the Forster Campus, which brings together production, administration, and sales.

A company-wide evaluation process helped Forster identify where and how their carbon-footprint could be further reduced - and ArcelorMittal’s XCarb^® initiative was part of that discussion. Since mid-2024, Forster has acquired all orders from ArcelorMittal in XCarb^® recycled and renewably produced steels. These steels have a significantly reduced carbon footprint as they are produced with a high percentage of recycled steel in an electric arc furnace powered by 100% renewable energy.

Forster sees steel as a timeless, sustainable, robust, and durable product which gives them the opportunity to offer a globally unique profile which is entirely made from steel. Unlike other profile makers, they do not use a plastic web to connect the two half-shells of a profile but a specially designed stainless-steel web. This improves the recyclability of the product, and its stability, without restricting the thermal properties of the system.

Forster views both the innovative strength of ArcelorMittal and the relationship as central advantages. “ArcelorMittal products such as Magnelis^®, and initiatives such as XCarb^®, show that the partnership is based on a common mindset. They are also an important building block in realising our own ambitions for even more mindful and sustainable use of our world’s resources,” says Willi Lüchinger.