Mariupol Ilyich Iron and Steel Works has launched the first phase of Hot Strip Mill (HSM) 1700 modernization. The large-scale upgrade of rolling equipment for HSM 1700 will include installation of modern coiling equipment able to handle coils up to 27 tons. Major overhaul of Reheat Furnace No.1 will be part of the second phase. Total project investments for the coming year will amount to c. 120 million UAH.
Wide-strip mill 1700 of MMKI can produce steel sheets in coils weighing up to 17 tons. However, the maximum coil weight is a limitation to existing strip coiling equipment (up to 9.5 tons). This does not allow meeting the customers’ need for heavier and better quality coils.
High-performance equipment for coiling hot-rolled strip will help increase the productivity of HSM 1700 and increase the weight of the rolls in the first stage to 17 tons. On September 8, the works signed a contract with Novokramatorsk Machine-Building Works (NKMZ), one of the largest heavy equipment manufacturer in Ukraine and in the world. The coiling equipment to be manufactured by NKMZ will be equipped with high-precision sensors and will be fully automated.
NKMZ will develop basic and detail engineering, manufacture and supply the equipment. The design documentation for installation works will be developed by Metinvest Engineering. The project assumes manufacture and installation of hot-rolled steel coiling machine valued at 80 million UAH. The production of the first heavy coil is scheduled in the late 2017.
New equipment will improve the quality of coiling, and reduce the risk of product damaging at transportation. The upgrade of HSM 1700 will help reduce the cost of hot- and cold-rolled coils. The coil weight will be increased to 27 tons in the future.
Mariupol Ilyich Iron and Steel Works General Director Yuri Zinchenko: “We launched an ambitious program to modernize our steel making operations. Basic oxygen furnace No. 2 is under major overhaul at the moment. We signed a contract with our Austrian partners for the construction of a new continuous casting machine to implement best available techniques with respect to efficiency, safety and environment. Steel quality and cost advantages that will be made tangible due to modernization will need to be further utilized in rolling operations. The goal is to increase our sales of premium class high value-added products”. (Mariupol Ilyich Iron and Steel Works/Ukrainian metal)