In a statement, SMS group said the project, which took 12 months to complete, was brought in on schedule.  

“Given the current, global COVID-19 crisis, we were faced not only with technological challenges in this project. My special thanks go to MMK’s and our teams. Thanks to their strong commitment, dedication and pragmatic approach, it has been possible – even under the restrictions due to the pandemic – to complete this project according to schedule with the production of the first coil after only twelve months,” says Marc Hoffmann, executive vice president Flat Products of SMS group.

Work included installation of new reversing reels at the entry and exit sections; new gearboxes, brakes and drive spindles on the rolling stands; multi-zone cooling systems at both stands, two X-Shape flatness measuring rolls and strip tension measuring systems; and new actuators. 

The SMS-built, 2-stand, 4-high Compact Cold Mill (CCM) has been in operation since 2002.