Jiangsu Shagang, P.R. China, recently started up twin-strand slab Caster No. 1 following an extensive revamp by Voest-Alpine Industrieanlagenbau GmbH (VAI).

The caster was started up in fully automatic mode, incorporating VAI technologies such as LevCon mold-level control, DynaGap soft-reduction technology, MoldExpert for process parameter control inside the mold and Level 2 process control.

The caster features straight mold technology, hydraulic mold-width adjustment (DynaWidth), hydraulic oscillators (DynaFlex) and VAI´s strand-guide system with SMART® technology and DynaGap soft reduction. VAI will also provide Level 2 process control

The caster is part of a steel plant relocation project from Germany to China, where VAI is the technology provider for the entire production route. The project follows the startup of Caster No. 2 in 2004 and startup of the second caster at Jiangsu Shagang within a period as short as 6 months.

Voest-Alpine Industrieanlagenbau (VAI), a company of the listed VA Technologie AG, is one of the world’s leading engineering and plant-building companies for the iron, steel and aluminum industries with a multinational company structure and special focus on technology, automation and services. VAI achieved total sales of 976 million EUR in 2003 and employs approximately 3,400 people worldwide.

Following the December 10, 2004, announcement of a takeover bid for VA Tech by Siemens AG Österreich, the general period of acceptance terminated on February 9, 2005. Over 90% of VA Tech stock was sold to Siemens at a price of EUR 65. Consequently, one precondition for a takeover by Siemens has been fulfilled. However, until the anti-trust authorities in the EU, USA and Canada approve the takeover, both VA Tech and Siemens are subject to a prohibition on the concentration process.