Salzgitter Flachstahl GmbH, Germany, has awarded SMS Demag, Germany, a contract for the modernization of Converter B at its Salzgitter LD meltshop. SMS Demag had previously modernized the facility’s Converter A (2000) and Converter C (2001).

SMS Demag’s scope of supply includes the converter vessel with trunnion ring and slag skirt. The converter will incorporate the lamella suspension system developed by SMS Demag. This suspension system provides constraint-free, low maintenance suspension of the converter vessel in the trunnion ring. The lamella-type converter suspension system has been successfully installed in more than 100 converters around the world.

Existing components such as the converter tilt drive, bearings and bearing supports as well as the converter doghouse will be re-used.

The revamp will improve Converter B’s volume by 35 cubic meters, which is expected to extend the service life of the wear lining. Commissioning is scheduled to take place in April 2007

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 SMS Demag and SMS Meer under SMS metallurgy, and into the Business Area SMS Plastics Technology. In the year 2005, some 9,250 employees worldwide generated a turnover of about EUR 2.33 billion.