Monthly Archives: September 2017

Steel Industry News

Finishing mill to be equipped with modern actuators for setting strip geometry

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SMS group has received from ArcelorMittal Atlantique et Lorraine an order for the modernization of the hot strip mill at Dunkirk, France. The modernization covers the installation of the CVC®plus bending and shifting system, of new drive spindles in all finishing stands, and the installation of a new PCFC® system (Profile Contour and Flatness Control). This modernization provides the hot strip mill with a powerful actuator for influencing the strip geometry and prepares the mill for future challenges.The CVC®plus system with integrated work-roll bending system of SMS group is the worldwide leading technology for the setting of hot strip profile, contour and flatness and is used in more than 400 hot strip mill stands all over the world. On the basis of the process parameters, PCFC® calculates for every strip the correct shifting position of the work rolls, which are provided with a special barrel grind, and the setting values of the work-roll bending system. This way the roll gap is ideally adapted to the changing conditions and the mill can produce strip with close geometrical tolerances. The drive spindles for ArcelorMittal’s Dunkirk mill will be SIEFLEX® toothed universal joint shafts.

Modernization will be implemented in three steps. PCFC® will be installed as early as at the end of 2017 and operate in parallel with the existing control system. This so-called shadow mode makes it possible to check all functions of the PCFC®, the inter-play with the automation environment, and allows adaptation to the products of ArcelorMittal Dunkirk. In the end, this way of proceeding guarantees a smooth start-up of the new system. This start-up of the PCFC® will take place after the installation of the new bending and shifting systems in the first four stands during the annual shutdown scheduled for August 2018. The modernization of stands F5 to F7 will follow one year later.

With this order, ArcelorMittal and SMS group continue their good cooperation in the modernization of the hot strip mill at Dunkirk. In the period between 2010 and 2014 SMS group replaced a total of nine main gear units of the roughing mill (R2 to R5) and the finishing mill (F1 to F5). Only some months back, at the end of 2016, SMS group had successfully completed the modernization of ArcelorMittal’s hot strip mill at Ghent, Belgium.

SMS group is a group of companies internationally active in plant construction and mechanical engineering for the steel and nonferrous metals industry. It has some 13,500 employees who generate worldwide sales of more than EUR 3 billion. The sole owner of the holding company SMS GmbH is the Familie Weiss Foundation.

Source: SMS Group

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Steel Industry News

Modernization of the new dedusting system at the steel shop in Dąbrowa

Dąbrowa Górnicza, September 22, 2017 r.

ArcelorMittal Poland started construction of a new dedusting system at the steelshop in Dąbrowa Górnicza unit. On 22nd of September representatives of our company, invited guests: representatives of Dąbowa Górnicza city council, Environmental Protection Office and local communities signed a memorial plaque.

New dedusting system is one of the projects targeted towards achieving the objectives of the UE directive on emissions (IED), which will enter into force at the end of 2018. Currently, there is one dedusting system operating at the steel shop which covers most of the processes. Modernization which has just started will have two dedusting systems: new dedusting for three converters ( device where liquid steel is produced) and modernization of existing system, which is responsible for remaining process like desulphurization. Thanks to these actions, the dedusting performance will increase threefold. Cost of the project is over 100 m PLN and it shall be completed in the second half of 2018. The project scope involves as well installation of roof hoods, which will be assembled at the level of 40 m. It will allow to eliminate fugitive emissions from the converter bay.

Below some key facts concerning the project:

  • 32 thousand m2 will have filter surface of a new dedusting collector- it is equal to 4 football pitches.
  • 8100- filters bag will be assemblied- in a row they would make 64 km, a distance from DG to Częstochowa
  • 10mg/Nm3 – level of dust emissions will be below this amount, which will be complaint to BAT (best available technologies).

We treat issues aiming at reducing our ecological footprint with the highest priority. I am very glad that in the presence of our key stakeholders we start jobs connected with dedusting system at the steel shop. It will allow us not only to comply with the limits regulated by UE directives but also to meet the expectations of residents of Dąbrowa Górnicza when it comes about reducing our impact on environment- said Geert Verbeeck, CEO and vice-chairman of ArcelorMittal Poland. Vice-president of Dabrowa Górnicza Marcin Bazylak who was present at the meeting said: I am glad that the investment which was announced some time ago becomes a fact. I believe that new dedusting system will contribute to improvement of air quality in our city, and residents of Dabrowa Górnicza will see its effects.

Dedusting system is one of the environmental projects which is being carried out in Dabrowa Górnicza unit. Dedusting systems of two sinter belts (no 1 and 3) are modernized and TAMEH (j.v of ArcelorMittal and TAURON) is progressing with huge environmental investment: denox-desox installation. Value of all these investments is over 700 m PLN.

Source: ArcelorMittal

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Steel Industry News

JSW Dolvi orders converter shop and secondary metallurgy at SMS group

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JSW Steel Limited, India, has placed an order with SMS group for the supply of a converter shop for its Dolvi plant which has to fulfill high demands in terms of energy efficiency and environmental protection.For the converter shop, SMS group will supply two 350-ton BOF converters, two 350-ton ladle furnaces and one 350-ton RH TOP vacuum recirculation degassing facility (Ruhrstahl Heraeus). The environmental engineering will include two primary waste gas cleaning systems with a dry dust collection system and a secondary waste gas cleaning system for the converters, ladle furnaces and the RH facility. The secondary gas cleaning plant with bag filter is designed for a capacity rating of more than 3,400,000 Nm³ per hour.

In order to increase energy efficiency, the converter shop is equipped with two heat recovery systems for generating steam from the waste heat of the converter primary gas. The produced steam is fed into the works pipeline network. Furthermore, thanks to the installed gas extraction technology, a volume of more than 400 million Nm³ converter waste gas per year can be used to replace other fossil fuels for energy generation. Not only the energy costs but also the output of CO2 can thus be reduced considerably. Here, use is made of the tried and tested SMS group adjustable skirt for the recovery of the energy-containing CO gas. The X-Pact® electrical and automation systems for the complete converter shop ensure efficient production and a high quality of the steel produced.

India’s largest BOF converters of their kind are equipped with the maintenance-free lamella suspension developed by SMS group, with bottom-stirring systems for combined blowing and with tilt drive systems manufactured in the SMS group’s own workshop.

The single RH-TOP vacuum plant from SMS Mevac is provided with a modern ladle lifting system (RH-RockerType®), which hydraulically – and supported by a counterweight – lifts the ladle towards the vacuum vessel. The RH facility is equipped with a multifunctional TOP lance which can be used as an oxygen blowing lance under vacuum for steel treatment and as an atmospheric oxygen burner lance for heating up and holding the temperature of the RH vessel. Two ladle transfer cars ensure short cycle times. The RH facility will be equipped with an extensive alloy addition system.

The SMS group scope of supply and services will include engineering, manufacturing and delivery of the mechatronic equipment, the X-Pact® electrical and automation systems and the supervision of erection/installation and commissioning.

Commissioning of the converter shop is scheduled for 2019. In the future, more than five million tons of steel per year shall be produced by the new plant.

At the JSW Dolvi works near Mumbai, SMS group has already erected an integrated steel plant with steelmaking facilities and a CSP® plant for JSW.

JSW is one of India’s leading steel Producers.

SMS group is a group of companies internationally active in plant construction and mechanical engineering for the steel and nonferrous metals industry. It has some 13,500 employees who generate worldwide sales of more than EUR 3 billion. The sole owner of the holding company SMS GmbH is the Familie Weiss Foundation.

Source: SMS Group
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Steel Price News

EU Flat Product Steel Prices Rise in September, Further Increases Expected in October

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Underlying steel consumption remains robust, in Germany, according to the September issue of MEPS European Steel Review. Both the auto and construction companies require large quantities of steel. The volume of flat products standing at the ports has reduced significantly. New offers from overseas suppliers became increasingly more expensive during the summer. The domestic price trend reversed in late July. Local producers took advantage of the lack of competition from imports by hiking basis values accordingly.

French prices have been rising since the end of July/beginning of August. This month, distributors need to refill their stocks. They are also trying to buy ahead of anticipated further price increases. Buyers report extending delivery lead times for most products. Activity by end-users is quite good as their order books have been improving. Service centres inform MEPS of a slight upturn in, year-on-year sales, for August and early September. With raw material costs on the rise, plus a recovery in demand, producers are pushing for further hikes, this month. Imports, generally, are no longer attractive.

In Italy, domestic suppliers applied significant pressure in order to lift prices. The differential between Italian and northern European figures is reducing. Local mills are now proposing further increases, for new orders. The market has been geared to rely on a large proportion of imported material for many years. Now, overseas price offers are escalating and the quantities available are shrinking. Domestic delivery lead times became longer during the summer. Moreover, demand, from several sectors, has strengthened. Nevertheless, service centre inventories remain relatively high. This is reflected in poor resale margins.

Although UK manufacturing output accelerated in August, EU suppliers note a decline in recent transactions as bloated inventories are gradually consumed. Moreover, third country material, ordered earlier at attractive prices, continues to arrive. New overseas offers are now much less competitive. Port stocks reduced substantially during the summer. The lack of imports, plus higher raw material costs, enabled steelmakers to introduce an increase in basis values for the fourth trimester. Distributors report reasonable business levels. Resale margins have contracted but profitability is acceptable.

The Belgian market is healthy. Steel demand is good. With lower inventories at both end-users and distributors, customers now need to restock. No major import volumes are noted. Conditions were in place for a price rise initiative, which was successfully implemented, in September, supported by higher production outlay at the mills. However, the inflated prices are proving problematic for a number of companies working on projects that were negotiated when the cost of steel was much below current levels.

High stocks in the Spanish market allowed many buyers to postpone purchasing decisions for November/December business. Substantial quantities of material were ordered prior to the holidays, at prices well below current market levels. However, a lack of import pressure, now that third country quotations have escalated, should help domestic suppliers to consolidate their new offers. By mid-September, positive price movements were detected for late September/October deliveries. Underlying demand is good. Resale values are catching up with mill increases.

Source: MEPS – European Steel Review – September 2017 Issue

Stainless Steel Prices

Rebound in Global Stainless Steel Prices Predicted by MEPS

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The MEPS world average stainless steel price is expected to continue its steady recovery, due, predominantly, to rising raw material costs. The world average price for 304 cold rolled coil increased, in August, to a figure 8.4 percent higher than the number recorded one year ago.

Raw material expenditure is predicted to grow, moderately, from its current level. The LME average nickel price, in the coming year, is forecast to be around 4 percent higher than in the previous twelve month period.

Supply in the chromium market remains tight, with spot prices continuing to climb. Quarterly ferrochrome values are forecast to increase, in each of the next three contract periods.

Molybdenum prices are likely to be reasonably stable, in the short term, with moderate advances predicted during the first half of 2018.

In North America, rising raw material costs will push alloy surcharges upwards, substantially, in September and October. A strong revival in transaction values is predicted for next year. The effective price, in August 2018, for type 304 cold rolled coil, is forecast to be 16 percent higher than last month’s figure. Any new trade actions by the US government could result in domestic prices rising above those that MEPS is currently forecasting.

In Europe, increases in basis prices will continue to be constrained by surplus production capacity and competition from imports. Nevertheless, predicted growth in mill input expenditure should lead to rising transaction values, during the early months of 2018. Effective prices, in twelve months’ time, are forecast to be around 7 percent higher than the current figures.

Selling values for stainless steel products, in Asia, are expected to strengthen, in the next few months. Over the coming year, however, the potential for price advances is likely to be restricted by excess supply, particularly in China. Transaction figures, in August 2018, are predicted to be broadly similar to those reported this month.

Source: MEPS – Stainless Steel Review – August 2017 Issue