The Wuhan Iron and Steel Group Co. (Wisco), P.R. China, has placed an order with SMS Demag AG, Germany, for the supply of three hot-dip galvanizing lines.

The maximum strip width of the first hot-dip galvanizing line is 2080 mm, with a maximum strip thickness of 2.5 mm. The line is designed for a process speed of 200 meter per minute, and has an annual capacity of about 475,000 tonnes.

Hot-Dip Galvanizing Lines No. 2 and 3 produce a strip width of 1650 mm with a maximum strip thickness of 1.6 mm. The lines will be capable of a process speed of 200 meters per minute. Hot Dip Galvanizing Line No. 2 will have an annual capacity of approximately 405,000 tonnes, and Line No. 3 will have an annual capacity of approximately 360,000 tonnes.

SMS Demag’s scope of supply includes coil transfer cars in the entry and exit sections, a roll coater, ASC trimming shear, and an intermediate loop tower to increase production. SMS Demag will also supply a pot-changing system with SMS Demag zinc-pot lifting device for quicker and safer product change, galvanization area with FOEN wiper nozzle system, skinpass mill with high-pressure cleaning system, tension leveler with direct drives and a flying shear in the exit section to further enhance production.

With the new lines, Wisco will increase its production capacity by 1,240,000 tonnes per year, primarily serving customers of the automobile industry and the household goods sector.

Commissioning is scheduled for the second quarter 2006.

SMS Demag AG forms part of the Metallurgical Plant and Rolling Mill Technology Business Area of the SMS group, which 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.