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Siemens-Led Consortium to Build EAF-Based Steelworks for Liepajas Metalurgs

10/22/2007 - Liepajas Metalurgs awards contract to a consortium led by Siemens to build a turn-key integrated electric steel plant that will replace the facility’s existing open-hearth based steel production route.

Liepajas Metalurgs, a Latvian steel producer, has awarded a contract to a consortium led by Siemens to build a turn-key integrated electric steel plant. Details of the contract value were not disclosed.
 
The new plant will be designed for an annual production of 810,000 tonnes of steel billets and 400,000 tonnes of steel bars and profiles. In addition to construction of an entirely new rolling mill, the consortium will also replace the facility’s existing steel production route, which was based on the use of the only open-hearth furnaces still in operation in Europe.
 
Liepajas Metalurgs focuses its range of products on reinforcing steels for the construction industry. The new plant will enable the company to extend its product range to include medium-alloy steel grades and profiles. The new facilities will also incorporate technologies that will considerably reduce the plant’s environmental impact.
 
For steelmaking, Siemens will install an electric arc furnace with a tapping weight of 100 tonnes, plus secondary steelmaking facilities. Secondary steelmaking facilities will include a 100-tonne ladle furnace with an alloying system, as well as a dedusting plant. The new equipment will help the company expand its annual steelmaking capacity to 810,000 tonnes from the current 540,000 tonnes, and replaces the existing open-hearth furnace based steel production route.
 
The new long-product rolling mill will produce high-quality steel profiles and twist-free wound steel bars. The operation will incorporate a billet-welding line and coiling technology that will enable continuous rolling. In order to optimize the overall process, Siemens will also adjust the billet caster supplied in 2006 to the changed production conditions.
 
The consortium’s project scope also includes expansion of the electric power supply, supply and modernization of the crane systems, installation of water-treatment systems, and the construction of the required buildings.
 
The plant is scheduled to be started up in steps during the year 2010.
 
Established in 1882, AS Liepajas Metalurgs is the only steel producer in the Baltic States.
 
Metals Technologies (MT), a division of the Siemens Industrial Solutions and Services (I&S) Group, is one of the world's leading engineering and plant-building companies for the iron and steel industry as well as for the flat-rolling sector of the aluminum industry and for open-cast mining. MT, which was created from the integration of Voest-Alpine Industrieanlagenbau, Linz/Austria, plus the electrical engineering product business and automation solutions of Siemens, provides a comprehensive range of supplies and services for all related technological processes and integrated automation solutions for the entire life-cycle of metallurgical plants.
 
The Siemens Industrial Solutions and Services Group (I&S) is the integrator of systems and solutions for industrial and infrastructure facilities and global service provider for the plant and projects business covering planning, installation, operation and the entire life cycle. I&S uses its own products and systems and process technologies in order to enhance productivity and improve competitiveness of companies in the sectors of metallurgy, water treatment, pulp and paper, oil and gas, marine engineering, open-cast mining, airport logistics, postal automation, intelligent traffic systems and industrial services. In fiscal 2006 (to September 30) I&S employed a total of 36,200 people worldwide and achieved total sales of EUR 8.819 billion, according to U.S. GAAP.