News & Press Releases
London, September 13, 2022
Primetals Technologies to convert and modernize hot-dip galvanizing lines for voestalpine
- Will improve strengthand dimensional range of cold-rolled strip
- Electrical components, automation, and drive technology to be modernized
- Implementation to take place during shutdown periods
Recently, Austrian steel producer voestalpine placed an order with Primetals Technologies for adapting and expanding the existing electrical, drive, and automation systems as part of the rebuild of hot-dip galvanizing line No. 4 at voestalpines’ steel plant in Linz, Austria. Thanks to this investment, the plant will be able to produce steel grades with higher strengths, improved elongation values, and a wider range of dimensions for the automotive industry.
voestalpine has also tasked Primetals Technologies with the modernization of the electrical and automation systems at hot-dip galvanizing line No. 3. This project will drastically improve drives, CPUs, the fieldbus system, and safety equipment. In addition, integration into the process control system PCS7 will be improved.
Lower CO2 footprint
By rebuilding and expanding hot-dip galvanizing line No. 4, voestalpine will be able to support the automotive industry in manufacturing even safer cars. The CO2 footprint of automobiles can, at the same time, be reduced by producing lighter car bodies while maintaining the same formability. Primetals Technologies will adapt and expand the existing electrical, drive, and automation systems to meet the new requirements. As part of the contract, Primetals Technologies will also assemble provided components such as power transformers and inductors.
Modernizing hot-dip galvanizing line No. 3
The availability of spare parts is running out for aging drive controls and the automation technology of hot-dip galvanizing line No. 3 at voestalpine’s site in Linz. Therefore, Primetals Technologies was contracted to modernize more than 300 drive feeds, equip the automation units with new CPUs, and install a new fieldbus system. Additionally, the plant’s safety system will be brought up to the latest standards.
A part of the process control system, PCS7, the software library "PTLib", developed by Primetals Technologies, will be used for both plants. PTLib contains numerous function blocks for treatment plants and is continuously maintained, upgraded, and versioned to match the PCS7 versions.
Meticulously planned pit stops
The entire modernization and conversion work on the two hot-dip galvanizing lines is carried out during planned shutdown periods. The time frame is only a few days in length. These "pit stops" require meticulous preparations and perfect coordination of all staff involved. As far as possible, technical problems must be identified and avoided in advance.
A leading steel producer
In this project, experience gained from many years of collaboration between voestalpine and Primetals Technologies during numerous modernization projects for strip processing lines will be utilized. In the early 2000s, the two hot-dip galvanizing lines were assembled and equipped with electrics, drive technology, strip travel mechanics, and automation. Over the years, the Simatic PCS7 system, among other systems, was continuously upgraded.
One of Europe's leading steel producers, voestalpine supplies high-quality hot- and cold-rolled as well as electrolytically galvanized, hot-dip galvanized, organically coated, and electrical steel strip for the automotive, electrical, household appliance, and manufacturing industries. The steel producer operates a fully integrated steel plant in Linz, Austria, with all process stages at one location: coke plant, blast furnace, meltshop, hot and cold rolling mill, and galvanizing and strip coating facilities.
One of the two hot-dip galvanizing lines that Primetals Technologies is modernizing on behalf of voestalpine.
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.
