Bhilai Steel Plant (BSP) has straightened the first 80-meter long rail with its new rail straightener.

The rail straightener, supplied by SMS Meer GmbH, was installed as part of an expansion project for the production of long rails. The new straightener consists of a horizontal straightener with eight rollers and a vertical straightener with seven rollers. The straightener is designed for a maximum production of approximately 200 tonnes/hour, making it the highest-capacity straightener in the world.

The turnkey plant was erected by an international consortium led by SMS Meer. The plant was commissioned after a short erection period of only 16 months.

As the largest rail producer in the world, BSP is now in a position to manufacture rails meeting the highest straightness demands and with a low residual intrinsic stress level.

Bhilai Steel Plant is part of the Steel Authority of India (SAIL).

SMS Meer GmbH forms part of the Tube, Long Product and Forging Technology Business Area of the SMS group. The SMS group is internationally active in plant construction and mechanical engineering relating to the processing of steel, non-ferrous metals and plastics. The group is divided into the Business Areas of Metallurgical Plant and Rolling Mill Technology, Tube, Long Product and Forging Technology and Plastics Technology. In the year 2003 around 9,500 employees worldwide generated a turnover of around EUR 2.20 billion.