London, October 05, 2015

Rizhao produces ultra-thin hot strip on Arvedi ESP plant for the first time

• Just five months after rolling the first coil ultra-thin hot strip with thickness of 0.8 millimeters was produced

In July, the Chinese steel producer, Rizhao Steel Group Co., Ltd (Rizhao), produced ultra-thin hot strip with thickness of 0.8 millimeters on the Arvedi ESP (Endless Strip Production) plant no. 1 supplied by Primetals Technologies for the first time. Only in February, the first coil was rolled on the plant – this within just 20 months of receipt of order.

Rizaho not only had pushed for the quick production of ultra-thin hot strip but also switched swiftly to full scale commercial production, because the product is being very well received in the market – not only in China but worldwide. The achievement of this one more milestone was mainly possible due to the theoretical and practical instruction of the operating staff on the ESP plant belonging to Acciaieria Arvedi SpA in Cremona, Italy, offered by Primetals Technologies.

The plant at Rizhao is designed for an annual production of 2.55 million metric tons of high quality, ultra-thin hot strip, in widths up to 1,600 millimeters and thickness down to 0.8 millimeters. The energy consumption is up to 45 percent lower than in a conventional casting and rolling process. The Arvedi ESP plants have put Rizhao in a position to open up the attractive domestic and foreign markets for high quality, thin-gauge products.

The plant is one of five casting-rolling plants, which Rizhao ordered from Primetals Technologies in 2013 and 2014. While plants no. 1 and no. 2 are in full operation, plant no. 3 will be commissioned in fall, plant nos. 4 and 5 in 2016.

Arvedi ESP plant no. 1 at Rizhao Steel Group Co., Ltd in Rizhao, China. In July, the plant supplied by Primetals Technologies produced ultra-thin hot strip with thickness of 0.8 millimeters.

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.