London, April 11, 2017

Posco brings converter with tilting drive modernized by Primetals Technologies into operation in Gwangyang

• Emergency drives ensure almost 100% availability
• Maintenance-friendly, long-life design
• Possesses dimensioning and performance reserves
• Safety concept for critical states such as power failure or peak loads maximizes personal and operational safety

In January, Posco, a Korean steel producer, brought LD (BOF) converter no. 1 back into operation after modernization in steel works no. 1 at its Gwangyang site. In the course of the project, Primetals Technologies had equipped the converter with a new tilting drive. The tilting drive is designed for a long service life and ease of maintenance, and still has dimensioning and performance reserves. Emergency drives ensure almost 100% availability. For critical states, such as power failure or peak loads, a special safety concept was implemented that maximizes personal and operational safety. Primetals Technologies received the modernization order at the end of 2015.

Posco thoroughly modernized the converter, which had been constructed in the 1980s and had reached the end of its service life. Primetals Technologies was responsible for the engineering and delivery of the tilting drive, as well as for consulting services for its installation and commissioning. The remaining converter components were installed by Posco. The modernization took place while the other two converters in steel works no. 1 remained in operation and, as a result of the good cooperation between Posco and Primetals Technologies, was completed five days before the scheduled deadline.

Tilting drive from Primetals Technologies on converter no. 1 in Posco's steel works no.1 in Gwangyang, Korea.

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.