SteelNews.com Article
Tata Steel Confirms Commitment to Equipment Customers with IJmuiden Investment
Jul. 16, 2012 Demonstrating its commitment to delivering differentiated products to its customers, Tata Steel has recently completed a significant investment in upgrading one of the coilers on the hot strip mill at its IJmuiden plant in the Netherlands.
The investment paves the way for the development of heavier-gauge strip for use in the manufacture of articulated trucks, and of higher-strength steel grades for use in cranes and machine boom arm applications. The result will be that the weight of customers’ finished fabrications can be reduced whilst maintaining strength and integrity.
“Our equipment manufacturing customers are looking for stronger and heavier-gauge steel products to get more out of the machines they make. This investment means that we can continue to play a part in helping them to improve the efficiency of their own products. This is a really positive development for our customers,” said Henrik Adam, Chief Commercial Officer of Tata Steel in Europe.
A number of new steel grades are in development and are being trialed through the upgraded coiler, including heavy gauge Ympress® S700 and Ympress® S960. These grades are becoming increasingly important to lifting and excavating equipment makers.
The upgrade was carried out by metallurgical plantmakers Siemens and SMS Siemag. The coiler has been upgraded with new mandrel and pinch roll equipment as well as with new motors, electrical drives, gears and hydraulic equipment.
The upgraded coiler can supply high-strength steels up to 20 mm thick. Core applications for the new steel grades will be those requiring high strength combined with reduced weight, including cranes and construction equipment.
The European operations of Tata Steel comprise Europe's second largest steel producer. With main steelmaking operations in the UK and the Netherlands, they supply steel and related services to the construction, automotive, packaging, lifting & excavating, energy & power, aerospace and other demanding markets worldwide. Tata Steel is one of the world’s largest steel producers. The combined group has an aggregate crude steel capacity of more than 28 million tonnes and approximately 80,000 employees across four continents.