London, June 17, 2020

Subscription license for continuous caster process optimization from Primetals Technologies sets new standard in the steel industry

• Third order for subscription license already received
• Sophisticated software design enables regular updates and upgrades as well as functions tailored to actual requirements
• Lower investment hurdle due to payment of annual fees
• Licensing model relieves automation experts of maintenance work

Primetals Technologies recently received another order for a subscription license for its software for process optimization (Level 2) of continuous casting plants. This was the third order in recent months for a service offering as yet unmatched anywhere in the steel industry. A modular software architecture and easy configurability of the system enable operators of continuous casters to subscribe to the functions and models they require by simply selecting or deselecting them. New releases, upgrades and updates are installed at regular intervals, thus ensuring that the process optimization system is always up to date. By purchasing a subscription license, capital expenditure (CAPEX) can be shifted to operating expenses (OPEX). As a result, operators of continuous casting plants do not usually have to request a separate investment budget for use of the process optimization software. The service package included in the annual license fee also includes remote support for troubleshooting, consulting, training, fine tuning or optimization. This reduces the workload for automation experts at the continuous casting plant.

Sophisticated software design permits subscription model

A process optimization system that is continuously updated and offers the option of adding or removing functions and models as required calls for a fundamentally different architecture than software that is installed and subsequently "just" maintained. The Primetals Technologies system therefore offers extensive software libraries and a stable core with established functions used at all continuous casting plants. These include, for example, production practice, quality-related data acquisition, metallurgical models or technological control systems. Additional process models are offered on the basis of a modular, service-oriented architecture with defined interfaces. Process-relevant parameters can be changed at any time by means of configuration without new programming. Existing process models and configuration data are converted to the new version during regular releases, upgrades and updates.

Reduced effort for internal budgeting process

Primetals Technologies' subscription license can be used by paying a relatively low one-time installation fee and low annual license fees. This allows one-time capital expenditures (CAPEX) to be converted into ongoing operating expenses (OPEX). As a rule, this results in a much easier internal budget release process and enables the new process optimization software to be used sooner. This offers an advantage for older systems in particular: The ongoing updates of Primetals Technologies' process optimization software on the basis of the subscription license ensure that a system can always be operated to its full extent, even with an internal IT infrastructure that has been continually updated over the years.

Lighter workload for skilled personnel

The process optimization system from Primetals Technologies contains numerous functions and models for optimizing the production processes of continuous casting plants. In the past five years alone, the software has been installed on more than eighty continuous casting plants around the world. In this way, the combined metallurgical and software know-how, as well as the services included in the subscription license, lighten the workload of automation specialists working at the continuous casting plant.

A Primetals Technologies subscription license for process optimization software for continuous casters enables steel producers to subscribe to functions and models on a modular basis according to their requirements.

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.