This includes, for the first time, a 10-year warranty on roofing applications located 100 to 200 metres from severe marine influences*.

The patented Activate® technology in the coating of next generation ZINCALUME® steel (AM125) makes it more durable and more resilient than original ZINCALUME® steel.

This has enabled BlueScope Steel to offer greater warranty periods for roofing applications which use next generation ZINCALUME® steel*. Examples include a warranty of up to 20 years for roofing applications located 400 to 600 metres from severe marine influences (a 33 per cent increase), up to 25 years for roofing applications located 600 to 1000 metres from severe marine influences (a 25 per cent increase) and up to 30 years for roofing applications located 1000 to 5000 metres from severe marine influences (a 20 per cent increase)*.

Manu Siitonen, BlueScope Steel market manager - commercial and industrial, explained that the maximum warranty period for roofing applications more than five kilometres from severe marine influences will increase from up to 30 years to up to 36 years.

"Our warranty confidence in next generation ZINCALUME® steel is the result of 17 years of extensive development and field testing, including real-world testing in Australian conditions since 1995", MrSiitonen said.

The improved warranties are attributable to patented changes to next generation ZINCALUME® steel's coating composition and revised manufacturing processes.

BlueScope Steel's Activate® technology incorporates magnesium with ZINCALUME® steel's existing aluminium/zinc alloy coating, which improves galvanic protection by activating the aluminium. This enhances corrosion resistance which results in a longer lasting product.

Mr Siitonen explained that next generation ZINCALUME® steel's greater durability opens up even more possibilities for its use.

"Just as original ZINCALUME® steel gave builders and architects the ability to realise different designs and construction methods, next generation ZINCALUME® steel has been developed to meet the demands of our changing built environment in regards to durability and sustainability, to inspire those who create for the generations to come."

The superior corrosion resistance of next generation ZINCALUME® steel when compared with original ZINCALUME® steel was confirmed via independent testing conducted by the internationally recognised French Corrosion Institute.

BlueScope Steel's durability testing involved more than 5000 panels in a wide variety of laboratory and 'real world' climatic conditions including sites in Australia, China, the United States and New Zealand.

An extensive range of applications were tested on five purpose built test structures located in various real world environments, including 50 on actual building sites.

Warranties for next generation ZINCALUME® steel AM125

Application Warranty period Increase
Roofing located 100 to 200 metres from severe marine influences Up to 10 years New
Roofing located 400 to 600 metres from severe marine influences Up to 20 years 33%
Roofing located 600 to 1000 metres from severe marine influences Up to 25 years 25%
Roofing located 1000 to 5000 metres from severe marine influences Up to 30 years 20%
Roofing located greater than 5000 metres from severe marine influences Up to 36 years 20%

* Warranty periods specified for ZINCALUME® steel AM125 are only available from the official launch date in August 2013. Existing warranties for ZINCALUME® steel AZ150 will apply in relation to ZINCALUME® steel AM125 until the official launch date in August 2013. Warranties are subject to application and eligibility criteria. For full terms and conditions and to determine the eligibility of your project for the warranty visit www.bluescopesteel.com.au/warranties or call BlueScope Steel on 1800 022 999.