American Galvanizers Association

08/24/2026

When specifying coatings for utility scale solar infrastructure, corrosion gets most of the attention. But in dry, windy regions, sand abrasion is an equally important threat — and one that receives far less attention.

A recently published study on solar mounting structures evaluated how hot dip galvanized steel, continuous galvanized steel, and zinc magnesium aluminum alloy coated steel perform under sand erosion conditions. The findings are clear. Despite a slightly higher erosion rate, hot dip galvanized steel lasted approximately 3.58 times longer than continuous galvanized steel and 6.63 times longer than zinc magnesium aluminum alloy coated steel before full coating loss occurred. The reason is coating thickness. HDG provides approximately five times the coating thickness of continuous galvanized steel — and more thickness means more protective material before the underlying steel is exposed.

The study also found that hardness alone does not predict abrasion resistance. The zinc magnesium aluminum alloy coating had the highest hardness and the shortest time to full coating removal.

For solar projects designed to last 25 to 35 years in challenging environments, hot dip galvanizing is the coating built for the long run.

🔗 Read the full article at https://cleanenergysteel.org/2026/03/11/harsh-solar-sites-hdg/

08/20/2026

Ice storms combine ice weight, wind pressure, and unbalanced forces in ways that push overhead power systems to their limits. When those conditions hit, the material your utility poles are made of is one of the most important factors in how your system holds up.

A new technical article from the Clean Energy Steel Construction Center examines exactly how steel utility poles perform under extreme winter loads. The research is clear — steel's uniform material properties and ductile behavior allow loads to redistribute under extreme conditions, reducing the likelihood of sudden failure. Wood poles, by contrast, exhibit greater variability in strength and are more prone to brittle failure with little visible warning.

Beyond structural behavior, the article covers upsizing challenges for wood poles, connection performance under freeze thaw conditions, and how steel poles provide clearer post storm inspection signals for faster, more confident restoration decisions.

Steel provides the strength. Zinc coatings provide the protection. Together they are the practical path to a more resilient grid.

🔗 Read the full article at https://cleanenergysteel.org/2026/02/10/ice-and-steel-poles/

08/18/2026

Last week the AGA team was in Denver for our Market Development Committee meetings and it was a great few days.

A full day of strategic discussion, meaningful planning, and a happy hour that brought the team together in the best way. We are grateful for the people who show up, engage, and push this industry forward.

Big things are in the works. More updates coming soon.

08/17/2026

Clean energy is the future — and steel is its backbone.

From solar piles and transmission poles to wind towers and battery storage, North American steel is at the center of every major clean energy project being built today. The Clean Energy Steel Construction Center exists to advance that role by bringing together steel producers, galvanizers, zinc suppliers, and end-users under one shared mission.

A common challenge in the industry has been confusion about corrosion protection and coatings — specifically about when and where zinc coatings like hot-dip galvanizing are the right solution. CES provides the education, tools, and collaboration that developers, utilities, and EPCs need to make informed decisions and avoid costly specification mistakes.

Hot-dip galvanizing protects steel for 70 to 100+ years in many environments. Steel is infinitely recyclable. And steel structures resist storms, fire, insects, and decay — making them the most reliable foundation for the clean energy systems communities depend on.

Steel provides the strength. Zinc provides the protection.

🔗 https://cleanenergysteel.org/

Solar Energy Steel provides the strength. Zinc coatings provide the protection. Hot-dip galvanized (HDG) steel ensures long-term reliability that can withstand decades of exposure to the elements. Learn More Transmission & Distribution T&D network must grow 60% by 2030 to meet energy demands. Utilit...

08/13/2026

WiG Wisdom returns on August 26 — and this month's guest is Gloria Da Ros, CEO of Tecnoplast USA LLC and AGA Sustaining Member.

Gloria will share her perspective on building a career as a trusted vendor in a traditionally male-dominated field — including lessons learned, practical insights, and honest advice for women navigating growth, challenge, and opportunity in the galvanizing industry.

WiG Wisdom Chats are designed to connect members directly with respected industry leaders through candid conversation and interactive Q&A. Whether you are seeking mentorship, career perspective, or meaningful networking, this is a session worth making time for.

August 26. 11 AM ET. Microsoft Teams. Open to AGA members.

Contact Executive Director Melissa Lindsley to get included on the calendar invite: https://bit.ly/3ROC46O

08/11/2026

Choosing the right utility pole material is one of the most consequential decisions in energy infrastructure — and it is one that affects reliability, maintenance, sustainability, and cost for the entire life of the structure.

The Clean Energy Steel Construction Center has developed the Steel Utility Pole Material Comparison Series to help utilities, engineers, and specifiers cut through the noise and make data-driven decisions. Each report evaluates steel against another pole material across structural performance, durability, corrosion resistance, installation, maintenance, sustainability, and life cycle considerations — using published research, industry standards, and real-world performance data.

Two reports are available now — Steel vs. Ductile Iron and Steel vs. Composite — with Steel vs. Wood and Steel vs. Concrete coming later this year.

Steel provides the strength. Zinc coatings provide the protection. Together they are the solution for expanding clean energy into new frontiers.

🔗 https://bit.ly/3TZJqVD

08/10/2026

Today at 1 PM ET — Galvanize It! Duplex Systems: Coating Galvanized Steel.

This webinar is built for anyone who specifies, designs, or works with hot-dip galvanized steel and wants to understand how pairing it with paint or powder coating creates a system that dramatically outperforms either coating alone.

The session covers the synergistic benefits of duplex systems, how to specify them correctly, why communication between all parties is critical, and how to identify and prepare different HDG surface conditions before applying a topcoat.

Free to attend. 1.0 LU/PDH (HSW) credit accredited by AIA and RCEP. Register now — it starts at 11 AM MT today.

🔗 https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_5DcD7igGTfmt3cPXHsTuXw #/registration

08/07/2026

Some projects redefine what is possible in the galvanizing industry. INEOS Project ONE is one of them.

Located at the Port of Antwerp, this $4 billion ethane cracker is one of Europe's most significant petrochemical investments of the last two decades — designed to produce 1.5 million metric tons of ethylene annually and operate with a CO₂ footprint 50% lower than the next-best cracker in Europe.

AG&P in the Philippines fabricated 6,600 metric tons of steel modules for the facility. In a highly corrosive marine-industrial environment where downtime carries enormous cost, the team needed a corrosion protection solution that was durable, sustainable, and built for long-term performance. Hot-dip galvanizing was the clear choice.

The galvanizer was selected for its large capacity and strict compliance with EN ISO 1461 standards required by INEOS. With hundreds of components moving through the galvanizing cycle every day, AG&P personnel worked onsite throughout the process to track, verify, and sequence every piece — resulting in minimal delays and the highest standard of module assembly.

77 pipe rack modules and 55 support structures were assembled and shipped to Belgium. As Francesco San Filippo of INEOS put it — the galvanizer's performance and quality exceeded expectations.

We are proud to recognize this project as a 2026 AGA Excellence Award winner in the International category.

🔗 See the full project at https://bit.ly/4pVAOLw

08/06/2026

The Early Bird registration deadline for TechForum 2026 is tomorrow — August 7.

If you have been on the fence about registering, this is the moment. After tomorrow the rate increases and after August 31 it goes up again. TechForum 2026 runs October 6–8 at the Grand Hyatt Denver, featuring technical presentations, galvanizing plant tours, and the MarketPlace exhibit — all built around this year's theme of Admin & Customer Service.

Register before the deadline tomorrow to lock in the best available rate.
https://bit.ly/3Un0aTR

07/30/2026

Looking for a hot-dip galvanizer for your next project? Here is why the AGA Galvanizer Locator is the place to start:

The most comprehensive network in North America.
AGA members represent more than 95% of all hot-dip galvanizing capacity across the US and Canada.

160 locations and counting.
With approximately 78 companies and 160 locations, there is a qualified galvanizer in almost every state and province.

Three ways to search.
Find by address or zip code, state or province, or company name — whatever works best for you.

Capacity for projects of any scale.
Average kettle length across North America is 40 feet, with many facilities running kettles between 50 and 60 feet for larger structural steel projects.

Direct connection to the galvanizer.
Once you find a location, reach out directly to confirm capacity, turnaround time, and project specifics.

🔗 https://bit.ly/4frWaNf