The West Pier on Heligoland protects the South Harbor and, with it, the lifeline of this rocky island in the German Bight. To ensure that the 563-meter-long protective structure can continue to withstand the enormous forces of the North Sea in the future, it will undergo extensive repairs and technical modernization by 2028.

A key component of the project is the highly corrosion-resistant Top12 stainless steel reinforcement from Steeltec AG, which is processed and supplied by SÜLZLE Stahlpartner. Since September 2026, the Bad Säckingen branch has been supplying approximately 2,500 metric tons of this special steel for the coastal protection structure. The steel used is grade 1.4003: stainless, with a chromium content of over 12 percent, and specially developed for components exposed to high chloride loads. Especially in the highly stressed splash and tidal zones, it offers significantly greater resistance than conventional reinforcing steel.

For SÜLZLE Stahlpartner, the project also offers a glimpse into the future: A second production site for stainless steel reinforcement in Seelze is already planned. The Westmole thus stands not only for durable coastal protection but also for sustainable construction. The project uses clinker-reduced concrete and corrosion-resistant reinforcing steel from an electric arc furnace—a strong statement in support of climate protection and technical excellence.