In a statement, Primetals Technologies said the new line is designed for both electrolytic tinning and tin-free steel production, products primarily intended for the canned foods industry. Primetals Technologies said the line is the first to use a new automation solution it developed specifically for processing lines.

“Today’s challenging markets require producers to permanently improve their plant operations, and this prominently includes automation systems. New concepts, such as integrated automation solutions, Profinet, easy-to-use and intuitive human-machine interfaces and powerful closed-loop controls, combined with decades of proven know-how, are the fundamentals of an innovative automation system,” the company said.

The line also incorporates robots at the entry and exit sections, eliminating the need for an entry section operator, Primetals Technologies said.

The line is designed to produce 200,000 metric tons annually per year at process speeds of 450 m/minute. It is capable of coating sheet in thicknesses of between 0.12 and 0.36 mm.