Market Expansion – CES Construction Center

Expanding Into New Markets

Steel is essential across the clean energy spectrum.

Beyond solar and transmission & distribution, new opportunities are emerging in wind, geothermal, battery storage, nuclear, and data centers. Each of these markets has unique demands for strength, reliability, and long-term sustainability, and steel protected by high-quality zinc coatings like hot-dip galvanizing (HDG) is perfectly positioned to meet them.

As the clean energy transition accelerates, CES is working to ensure these industries have access to the same research, technical expertise, and proven solutions that have already advanced solar and utility poles.

BENEFITS

Why Steel?

Strength and Versatility: Steel can be engineered to perform in demanding applications, from tall wind towers to modular nuclear structures.
Consistency: Unlike many alternative materials, steel is produced to exacting ASTM and ISO standards, ensuring uniform quality across projects.
Sustainability: North American steel has one of the lowest CO₂ footprints globally and is infinitely recyclable.
Innovation Ready: New designs and fabrication technologies allow steel to adapt to evolving energy markets.

SOLUTIONS

Steel + Zinc Coatings

Zinc coatings, especially HDG, extend the service life of steel across harsh environments. This combination addresses key challenges in emerging markets:

Wind: Galvanized and Metalized steel protects towers, foundations, and fasteners from corrosion in coastal and high-moisture environments, extending service life well beyond 20 years.
Geothermal: Steel piping and support systems coated with zinc resist corrosion in aggressive underground and high-moisture conditions.
Battery Storage: Zinc-protected steel enclosures, racks, and support structures provide fire resistance, durability, and long-term reliability.
Nuclear: Steel combined with zinc coatings supports modular construction and containment structures where reliability is non-negotiable.
Data Centers: Galvanized steel racks and framing provide structural stability and recyclability, supporting rapid expansion of digital infrastructure tied to renewable power.

CES Role in Market Expansion

Through research, education, and collaboration, CES is expanding the role of steel and zinc coatings in these critical markets by:

Developing coating performance guidance in new applications.
Publishing lifecycle assessments comparing U.S. steel to imports and alternatives.
Providing design guidance and technical resources to ensure steel is specified correctly in emerging markets.
Partnering with industry leaders, universities, and utilities to identify opportunities where steel and zinc deliver the most value.

Steel provides the strength. Zinc coatings provide the protection.

Together, they are the perfect solution for expanding clean energy into new frontiers.

LEARN MORE