Kobe Steel developed 980 MPa ultra high strength cold rolled steel sheet in 1984 and was the first to mass-produce this material. Common applications are structural parts such as pillars, bumpers and door impact beams. In July 2001, Kobe Steel was the first to begin marketing the high performance material to automotive seat manufacturers in Japan.

In general, the stronger the steel the less formable it is. High strength steel, however, offers both excellent tensile strength and high formability. This makes 980 MPa steel an ideal material for car seat parts, which undergo bending, stretch flange forming, and bulging in their manufacture.

Kobe's specialized expertise in heat treatment and chemical composition control enables the mass production of ultra high strength steel sheet. Rapid cooling at the water quenching system of Kobe's continuous annealing line gives the steel sheet its characteristic microstructure and outstanding properties.