The year 2026 marks the 50th anniversary of the moment when the Coated Sheet Plant, today part of ArcelorMittal Poland’s Świętochłowice unit, produced its first galvanized and paint‑coated sheet. This milestone opened a new chapter in the history of the plant and the entire Polish steel industry. Sheet metal from Świętochłowice was used, among others, in the iconic Fiat 126p. Today, the former Huta Florian, one of the oldest steelworks in Poland, remains an important centre for manufacturing modern steel products - sheets used for roofing, household appliances, the energy sector and machinery.
Birth of sheet metal in the heart of Upper Silesia
The origins of the Coated Sheet Plant in ArcelorMittal Poland’s Świętochłowice unit date back to 1 March 1975, when the Coated Sheet Department under construction was officially established. Just a year later - on 29 April 1976, between the second and third shifts - the first galvanized sheet was produced, symbolically opening a new era in Polish steelmaking.
The following months brought rapid development: from cutting lines, through profiling, to coating. The plant reached full production capacity in 1977.
“On 29 April 1976, our first galvanized sheet came off the line. It was a moment of immense satisfaction. And by September, the second line was already running, and the plant really began to gain momentum. At the beginning, we used standard acrylic paints,” recalls Jerzy Przewieslik, former coating line manager. “As technology advanced, we introduced new solutions. Each year brought new colours and new products that the market needed.”
Świętochłowice sheet metal built legends: from the “Maluch” to Olympic vessels
The Coated Sheet Plant produced materials that helped build the Polish economy and supported local investments. The zinc coating manufactured here, which contained zinc dust, was used by Fiat to produce fuel tanks for the 126p—the legendary “Maluch”. It also proved ideal for components of Jelcz truck cabins. At the time, it was impossible to imagine Polish roads without the Maluch and Jelcz and neither would have existed without sheet metal from Świętochłowice.
The plant also supplied PVC‑film‑coated sheet metal used to make ship furniture for two ferries built in Polish shipyards for the 1980 Summer Olympic Games in Moscow.
Galvanized steel from Świętochłowice: quality trusted in Poland and abroad
The closure of the blast furnace division and the shutdown of the open‑hearth steel mill in the 20th century paved the way for building a strong processing plant. In 2004, Huta Florian became part of the ArcelorMittal group in Poland. Modernisation then accelerated dramatically: new production lines were launched, and innovative anti‑corrosion coatings were introduced.
“Świętochłowice has become one of the most modern production facilities in the country. Here, we combine tradition with innovation, supplying top‑quality steel to key sectors of the economy. Our galvanizing line can produce up to 350,000 tonnes of sheet metal annually” emphasises Łukasz Skorupa, COO for Flat Products and Quality at ArcelorMittal Poland. “Prestigious awards such as Teraz Polska and the Budma Gold Medal confirm our leading position. I am proud to see the plant grow so dynamically and meet the expectations of even the most demanding customers.”
Today, ArcelorMittal Poland’s Świętochłowice unit officially celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Coated Sheet Plant. The programme includes a meeting with former and current employees - without whom this plant would not exist.
“We are proud of our history, and I am proud of our employees. Thanks to their commitment, responsibility, knowledge and daily work, the plant has been able to grow and achieve new successes. Each decade reflects the efforts of many generations - those who continue this mission today and those who passed on their experience to their successors. This anniversary is a moment for reflection, pride in our achievements, and motivation to continue building the next decades of success together” summarises Marek Adamczyk, Director of ArcelorMittal Poland’s Świętochłowice unit.
