In a statement, SMS group said the project is intended to increase rolling speeds and to expand bar diameters to 55 mm. As it is currently configured, the mill can annually produce 540,000 metric tons of wire rod and coiled bar in diameters of between 14 and 42 mm. 

SMS group said that as part of the project it will replace a descaler and install an additional one on the rolling mill. It also said it will install a new cropping shear, a shiftable water cooling line, pouring reel machines with walking beam conveyor, and cooling fans and hoods.  

“The mechanical areas will be connected with a scratch-free conveying system that, combined with the automation package supplied by SMS group, will grant POSCO a quality improvement on the rolled surface of the bars and a better coil shape and formation,” the company said. “Further implementations are the off-line simulation process with Controlled Cooling Technology and quick changing system of the water cooling line in less than five minutes to grant better plant efficiency.”