China Shougang Corp. of Beijing, P.R. China, has placed an order with SMS Demag AG, Germany, for the supply of a coupled high-capacity tandem pickling line.

The line will be fully equipped with the latest technology, including the most recent generation of turbulence pickling technology, patented immersion covers for the turbulence pickling tanks, and a laser welding machine. The five-stand CVC6 tandem line has an Edge Drop Control system (EDC) as well as a carrousel reel. Environment-friendly operation will be ensured with the help of high-performance extraction and filter systems.

With this line, China Shougang Corp. intends to manufacture high-grade and high-strength strips, e.g. for the production of high quality automobile outer parts, DP, BH and Trip steels. The approximately 1.8 million tonnes/year line will process strip at thicknesses down to 0.2 mm with a maximum strip width of 1870 mm.

The first strip is scheduled to be pickled and rolled on the plant at the end of October 2007.

SMS Demag AG forms part of the Metallurgical Plant and Rolling Mill Technology Business Area of the SMS group. SMS GmbH is the holding for a group of companies 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 2004 some 9,500 employees worldwide generated a turnover of about EUR 2.20 billion.