London, February 14, 2017

Primetals Technologies to modernize continuous caster for Georgsmarienhütte GmbH (GMH)

• Continuous caster to be upgraded to meet future market requirements
• Productivity and plant availability will be increased
• Greater flexibility of the production facilities

Georgsmarienhütte GmbH (GMH), a German steel producer, has awarded Primetals Technologies an order to modernize the company's six-strand continuous bloom caster at its main site in Georgsmarienhütte. The goals of the refurbishment are to equip the continuous caster to meet future market requirements, improve the plant's product quality, increase its productivity and availability, and allow greater flexibility in the use of the production facilities. This stage in the modernization will be completed in the summer of 2017.

Georgsmarienhütte GmbH (GMH) is one of Europe's leading suppliers of raw steel, steel bars, semifinished products, and bright steel made of quality and engineering steels. GMH makes around 80 percent of its sales to the automotive industry and its suppliers. The company also supplies steels for chains, machine and hydraulic components.

The continuous caster was supplied by a third party in 1987. It was modified for the first time by Primetals Technologies in 2001, since which time it has been regularly upgraded in respect of new casting cross-sections, and new Level 2 process automation. The caster has six strands and a machine radius of ten meters. It casts high-quality blooms for the automotive industry with cross-sections of 240 x 240 and 165 x 165 millimeters. Primetals Technologies will now perform a refurbishment which will be the second stage of a multi-stage overall plan. As part of first stage, Primetals Technologies had already carried out refurbishment work in the run-out area of the continuous caster in the previous year for GMH.

As part of the second stage of refurbishment, Primetals Technologies will supply, install or modify the casting platform area, the machine head, the strand support, the withdrawal and straightening area, and the dummy bar system. This includes a system for measuring the thickness of the casting powder, a strand stirrer, Dynacs 3D secondary cooling, and a DynaGap 3D strand-guiding system with Dynamic Soft Reduction. The safety equipment will be updated to meet the new continuous casting safety regulations, whereby Primetals Technologies will provide overall planning support. The scope of delivery also includes adapting the machine cooling and lubrication, as well as modifying the machine control sections (Level 1) and the process automation (Level 2). Primetals Technologies will be responsible for the engineering, manufacturing the equipment, assembly, and commissioning the components supplied.

Strand-guiding system of the continuous bloom caster at Georgsmarienhütte GmbH in Georgsmarienhütte, Germany

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.