In a statement, SMS said the order came about as the Ukrainian facility looks to move away from ingot casting.

“With the new process route in place, more construction steel billets will be continuously cast at this site, gradually replacing ingot casting,” SMS said, adding that the facility is targeting 2.8 million tons of annual billet production.

”By changing the process route to continuous casting, with its increased yield ratio and significant energy savings, the plant will be capable of producing higher-quality billets at a lower cost.”

Under the contract, SMS will supply two twin-ladle furnaces with a capacity of 160 tons each, a water treatment plant, a material handling system and a fume treatment plant. SMS Concast will supply the two 6-strand continuous casters.

Commissioning is scheduled for the first quarter of 2019.