Lio-Metal, a fast-expanding Romanian metal products company, has announced a fundamental shift in its portfolio by aiming to fully replace conventional galvanised steel with Magnelis® coated steel over the next few years. Through a strategic partnership with ArcelorMittal, Lio-Metal becomes the main promoter of Magnelis® in Romania.
Magnelis® is ArcelorMittal’s innovative metallic coating solution designed to offer many advantages over standard galvanised steel for applications across infrastructure, industrial and civil construction, renewable energy, drainage systems, fencing, agriculture, horticulture, etc. It uses nearly half the amount of zinc in its production, while offering at least twice the corrosion resistance at the same coating thickness. It performs exceptionally well even in harsh environments, where standard galvanisation would fail. A unique advantage is its ‘self-healing’ properties on cut edges or abrasions, significantly enhancing its corrosion resistance.
Lio-Metal welded pipes
By adopting Magnelis® on a large scale, Lio-Metal will offer superior, more durable and sustainable products. “Our partnership with ArcelorMittal and the adoption of Magnelis® is more than a simple material replacement; it is a paradigm shift,” says Ion Luca, Founder and Managing Director of Lio-Metal. “We aim to eliminate conventional galvanised steel in the coming years, providing our clients with robust, long-term solutions that offer double the durability and significantly lower maintenance costs.”
Ion Luca, Founder and Managing Director, Lio-Metal
Founded in 2009, with modern production facilities in Galati County, Lio-Metal’s target markets are metal structures for construction, building facades, road signage, guardrails and sound-proofing panels, greenhouses for horticulture and photovoltaic structures for solar installations. Over its more than 16 years of development, Lio-Metal has evolved from a trader of metallurgical products to a highly regarded consolidated producer, constantly investing in technologies, equipment, and the development of a high-performing team.
Lio-Metal and ArcelorMittal people gathering in Bucharest for Lio-Metal’s Magnelis® day in December 2025
“Our Magnelis® product range is a complete game-changer in the world of metallic coatings,” says Sorin Mehedinti, Commercial Area Head, ArcelorMittal Europe – Flat Products, “offering unparalleled corrosion protection across a wide range of applications. It stands out against the competition for its exceptional durability and self-healing qualities, and we’re delighted to be working with Ion and his team at Lio-Metal to promote it in the Romanian market.”
Sorin Mehedinti, Commercial Area Head, ArcelorMittal Europe – Flat Products
Lio-Metal’s 2026 objectives focus on improving efficiency, productivity, and energy performance to actively contribute to global decarbonisation efforts. The partnership with ArcelorMittal serves as the foundation upon which Lio-Metal is building its vision for sustainable and responsible growth. “ArcelorMittal delivers real value for us,” adds Ion Luca, “through its reputation in the market, its wide portfolio of products, and the unique access it provides to collaboration on product development and customer solutions that we can in turn offer on to our clients.”
Magnelis® is offered in a steel thickness from 0.45 to 6.0 mm and up to 1,680 mm width. Its durability comes from a zinc-aluminium-magnesium coating, containing 3.5% aluminium and 3% magnesium, which provides robust corrosion resistance in aggressive environments, including high-chloride, alkaline, and humid conditions. “The magnesium content in particular ensures a stable barrier effect against corrosion, and the overall alloy coating uniquely ‘self-heals’ over cut or abraded steel edges,” explains Mattia Alemani, Metallic coatings coordinator for Southern Europe, ArcelorMittal Europe – Flat Products. Field tests have demonstrated that the ZM620 gauge Magnelis® has a design life from 15 to more than 50 years, far exceeding conventional galvanised steel in the harshest environments.
Mattia Alemani, Metallic coatings coordinator for Southern Europe, ArcelorMittal Europe – Flat Products, promoting Magnelis® during Lio-Metal’s customer event in December 2025
Magnelis® exhibits excellent formability with a low powdering effect, even during severe deformation, making it ideal for bending, deep drawing and profiling. The coating is also compatible with common welding techniques, including spot, arc, and high-frequency induction (HFI) welding, often requiring only minor adjustments to standard welding parameters.
Copyright images: Lio-Metal
