London, December 10, 2015

Continuous slab caster modernized by Primetals Technologies goes into operation at ArcelorMittal Bremen

• Rugged mold design increase reliability and operational safety
• Low-maintenance mold oscillator raises reliability
• Technology packages improve product quality
• Energy and running costs reduced

The second strand of the continuous slab caster modernized by Primetals Technologies for German steel producer ArcelorMittal Bremen GmbH has now been brought into operation. The modernization included equipping the machine head of the twin strand casting plant with new molds as well as the DynaWidth and DynaFlex technology packages. The aim of the project was to increase the availability and reliability of the plant, and to further improve product quality. Modernization of the first strand was completed in October 2014. Operational experience shows that an annual total of almost 600 megawatt hours of electrical energy can be saved for the two strands.

ArcelorMittal Bremen GmbH is a flat steel producer. It employs an integrated blast furnace/converter route to produce high-quality steel grades, primarily for the automotive and construction industries. The company runs a twin-strand continuous slab caster which can produce almost four million metric tons of slabs in widths of up 2,670 millimeters each year. Originally, the caster was supplied by VOEST-ALPINE Industrieanlagenbau in 1973, renovated in 1991, and modernized in 2005 by third-party companies.

Primetals Technologies supplied rugged cassette-type SmartMolds with quick-change copper plates and narrow faces to increase the availability and reliability of the caster to the levels required by ArcelorMittal Bremen. The DynaWidth technology package ensures that the slab width is set dynamically and precisely at maximum casting speed. The hydraulic DynaFlex mold oscillator flexibly adjusts the oscillation parameters to match the particular operating conditions. The new equipment was designed to fit in the existing steel structures without any modification of the two strands. As a result, construction costs were reduced and the downtime required for the installation was shortened.

Two-strand continuous slab caster modernized by Primetals Technologies at the German steel producer ArcelorMittal Bremen GmbH (Copyright: ArcelorMittal Bremen GmbH)

Primetals Technologies, Limited, headquartered in London, United Kingdom, is a pioneer and world leader in the fields of engineering, plant building, and the provision of lifecycle services for the metals industry. The company offers a complete technology, product, and services portfolio that includes integrated electrics and automation, digitalization, and environmental solutions. This covers every step of the iron and steel production chain—from the raw materials to the finished product—and includes the latest rolling solutions for the nonferrous metals sector. Primetals Technologies is a joint venture of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and partners, with around 7,000 employees worldwide. To learn more about Primetals Technologies, visit the company website www.primetals.com.