London, November 06, 2018

Primetals Technologies receives further order from AMAG rolling to modernize its continuous heat treatment line no. 2 in Austria

• Plant to be equipped with new electrical, automation and safety equipment
• Standardized solutions simplify maintenance and increase availability and operational safety

AMAG rolling GmbH, an aluminum producer, has awarded Primetals Technologies an order to modernize continuous heat treatment line no. 2 at its Ranshofen plant in Austria. This involves renewing the electrical and automation equipment as well as replacing and adding instrumentation and control components. The safety equipment will also be brought up to the state-of-the-art. The goals of the modernization are to use standardized solutions to simplify maintenance, increase availability, and install safety equipment complying with the requirements of the machine safety ordinance. In previous years, Primetals Technologies successfully implemented a number of similar modernization projects in Ranshofen. The modernization of the furnace is scheduled for completion in the fourth quarter of 2019.

The main components of the continuous heat treatment line run by AMAG rolling in Ranshofen, Austria are a coil preparation system, a strip infeed with uncoiler, a stitcher and strip looper, a strip flotation furnace, the strip outfeed with strip looper, an inspection section and a coiler. Primetals Technologies constructed the plant at the end of the 1990s. It now contains obsolete components, which make optimal maintenance more difficult in respect of availability and the procurement of spare parts.

Primetals Technologies will replace the control systems and controls for the strip processing and furnace, switchgear, cables and sensor system, and equip the plant with new visualization and diagnostic facilities. Furthermore, control containers, hydraulic components, railings and doors with guard locking will be added.

The comprehensive renewal of the electrical systems and automation with standardized solutions will significantly simplify maintenance. The renewal and expansion of the safety equipment will create another significant benefit by simplifying the operation and maintenance of the plant by making operating conditions safer.

A standard, modular automation system will be installed with separate processors for process and safety functions. These will provide easy handling of the systems and user software. The approximately 1,500 peripheral signals will be linked to the central units through a common process field network. The signals will be coupled and decoupled by distributed I/O modules, which will be installed in control cabinets spread throughout the plant. In future, the process will be safely and reliably controlled by operating personnel from Thin Client operator stations.

The order also includes the risk analysis, hardware and software engineering as well as manufacturing, documentation, system test, installation, training and commissioning. The agreed implementation time is 17 months, and extends to the fall of 2019. The main components will be replaced and commissioned during a single general plant shutdown of minimal length. One particular challenge facing the team is meeting the customer's strict quality requirements in full within a short time of commencing production.

AMAG rolling GmbH is a globally active producer of high quality, rolled aluminum products. The company belongs to the Austrian AMAG Group. It is one of the leading premium suppliers of high-quality cast and rolled aluminum products, which are used in a very wide range of industries such as the aircraft, automotive, sports equipment, lighting, mechanical engineering, construction and packaging industries.

Coiled Aluminum strip. Primetals Technologies will modernize heat treatment line no. 2 at the Ranshofen, Austria plant of AMAG rolling 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.