Galvalume co-inventor Angelo Borzillo passes away

Their experiments led them to discover an ideal mix of 55% aluminum, 43.5% zinc, and 1.5% silicon. The coating significantly improved steel’s corrosion resistance and durability. Dubbed Galvalume, it is now widely used in the construction sector for roofing and wall systems.

By 2021, most major steelmakers had obtained licenses to sell Galvalume, with more than 220 million tons produced globally.

Borzillo retired in 2022 after a distinguished career at Bethlehem Steel in Pennsylvania and later Vancouver, Wash.-based BIEC International. BEIC is the worldwide licensor of the Galvalume technology and a wholly owned subsidiary of Australia’s BlueScope Steel.

In 2022, he was inducted into the prestigious Metal Construction Hall of Fame.

“Ange wasn’t just the co-inventor of a great product. He was an icon and a mentor who inspired generations in the metal construction industry,” said Rob Haddock, founder and CEO of S-5!, a manufacturer of metal roof attachments based in Colorado Springs, Colo.

“From the first day we met, he treated me with respect and took me under his wing,” reflected Haddock, who was also a close friend and mentee of Borzillo. “He was a genius, but he was always a regular guy—humble, gracious and unassuming.”

“Angelo Borzillo’s work changed the course of the metal construction industry, and his influence will endure in every panel, roof, and structure protected by GALVALUME sheet steel,” a statement from S-5! said. “His life’s work stands as a testament to innovation, integrity, and the power of collaboration—a legacy as enduring as the material he helped create.”