Maanshan Iron & Steel Co. Ltd. (Masteel), P.R. China, recently placed an order with SMS Demag for the supply of a new hot strip mill. The order was placed only six months after the successful acceptance of the CSP^® facility supplied by SMS Demag.

As consortium leader, SMS Demag is supplying the entire mechanical equipment and a portion of the automation system. SMS Demag’s scope of supply comprises a slab sizing press, two four-high reversing stands, finishing mill with seven stands and three coilers, and the PCFC automation, including profile, contour and flatness computer. The plant will be prepared for the retrofitting of a coil box.

The new hot rolling mill is designed for rolling widths of up to 2130 mm and an annual production of 5.5 million tonnes. The mill’s product range extends from mild deep-drawing grades to high-strength structural steels, pipe grades and multiphase steels.

The hot strip mill is the core element of a completely new steelworks that is at present taking shape in the north of Maanshan. Commissioning is scheduled for spring 2007.

SMS Demag AG forms part of the Metallurgical Plant and Rolling Mill 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 9500 employees worldwide generated a turnover of around EUR 2.20 billion.