Baosteel Zhanjiang Orders Automation for New Hot Strip Mill from Primetals Technologies

At the end of March 2019, Baosteel Zhanjiang, a subsidiary company of the Chinese corporation Baoshan Iron and Steel Co Ltd. (Baosteel) contracted Primetals Technologies a Metal-Expo regular exhibitor to supply digitalization packages, automation technology and electrical equipment for its new 1,780 mm hot strip mill to be constructed in Zhanjiang, Guangdong Province in the southern part of China. The implementation of an extensive package of Industry 4.0 solutions is an important step to achieve the target of building an intelligent and the most advanced hot strip mill in the world. The project is expected to be finished at the end of 2022. In addition, a cooperation agreement for the joint development of advanced Industry 4.0 solutions in hot rolling was signed.

Primetals Technologies´ Industry 4.0 solutions will make the hot strip mill fit for digitalization and optimized production results. Through-Process-Optimization (TPO), an integrated know-how based solution, will improve efficiency, stability and product quality across the entire rolling process. Advanced Profile, Flatness and Contour Control (APX) ensures highest product quality by incorporating a combination of comprehensive modelling and artificial intelligence, and optimization of profile distribution. In order to ensure highest availability and productivity, Primetals Technologies Strip Steering Expert / Wedge & Camber Control using the latest vision-based measurement equipment and advanced control technology for automatic threading, in bar control and thread out will be implemented. The scope of supply also encompasses the basic automation system (level 1), measuring devices, motors and drives. Level 2 will be supplied by Baosteel with the APX being supplied and implemented by Primetals Technologies as part of the digitalization package.

Baoshan Iron & Steel Co Ltd. is part of the newly formed China Baowu Steel Group Corp Ltd, the second largest steel producer in the world, with a production capacity of 70 million tons. Baosteel produces high-quality products for both the Chinese domestic and the world markets. The new hot strip mill is the second one to be built at Baosteel Zhanjiang. It has a rated capacity of 4.5 million metric tons per year and will produce coil in a width range of 720 to 1,780 mm and thicknesses between 1.2 and 12.7 mm.