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Salzgitter Flachstahl Contracts SMS Siemag to Implement Near-Net Caster
Aug. 26, 2010 Salzgitter Flachstahl GmbH has placed an order with SMS Siemag for the construction of a near-net-shape caster in Peine, Germany. SMS Siemag says this will be the first time the casting concept has been implemented on an industrial scale, enabling the casting of HSD® (high strength and ductility) steels.
The order comprises basic and detail engineering, the supply of the entire mechanical equipment, and the complete electrical and automation system; all ancillary equipment; erection and cold commissioning in Peine; as well as the modification of an existing mill stand for the further processing of near-net-shape strip.
The project, which was developed together with the Clausthal Technical University, will be supported by an investment grant of around Euro 19 million as part of the environmental innovation program of the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety.
“In addition to an unusual formability, HSD steels have a high strength and are thus ideally suited for use in automobiles,” said Ulrich Grethe, CEO of Salzgitter Flachstahl GmbH. “Compared with conventional steels, these light structural steels allow a higher reduction in weight. Their density is approximately 5% lower than that of conventional steels. Furthermore, the new technical concepts in Belt Casting open up a fully new materials spectrum that goes beyond HSD steels.”
Salzgitter Flachstahl GmbH is the largest steel subsidiary of the Salzgitter Group.
SMS Siemag AG is a company of the SMS group, which is, under the roof of the holding SMS GmbH, a group of companies internationally active in plant construction and mechanical engineering for the steel and nonferrous metals industry. It consists of the two business areas, SMS Siemag and SMS Meer. In 2009, about 9000 employees worldwide generated a turnover of EUR 3.9 billion.