ММК modernises heavy plate production facilities

This modernisation will enable MMK to expand the Mill 5000’s product mix by adding new high-margin items, enhance performance by increasing slab weight, and improve mass-production heavy plate yield. The project, including all upgrading, installation work and commissioning, is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2017.

Currently, the continuous slab caster #6 produces slabs of 190 mm, 250 mm, and 300 mm thickness, and production of 350 mm slabs is also planned. Maximum cast width will remain unchanged at 2,700 mm. Higher slab weight will optimise the allotment of the sheets produced from the slabs, thus improving the yield.

SMS group’s scope of supply for the continuous slab caster will include basic and detail engineering, the optimisation of the secondary cooling system, the adaption of the X-Pact® electrical and automation systems, the upgrade of the technological process models (level 2) and supervision of installation and commissioning.

In order to roll thicker slabs, the maximum roll lift in the horizontal stand will be increased from 320 mm to 370 mm. This will be achieved mainly by modifying the CVC® roll bending and shifting system, installing new chocks for the upper work roll and adapting the back-up roll balancing system. SMS group will also supply a new level-2 model for the reheating furnaces and an upgrade of the process models in the rolling mill.

The state-of-the-art heavy plate mill, commissioned by MMK in 2010, comprises Mill 5000, continuous slab caster #6, and secondary refining in oxygen-converter plant. Mill 5000 is designed for producing high-quality heavy plate of up to К-85 (X–120) grade for oil and gas, shipbuilding, bridge-building and machinery industries. One of the most powerful mill stands in the world - the mill stand with a rolling force of 120 MN supplied by SMS group in 2009 - was the first in Russia to feature a CVC® plus system.

About MMK

MMK is one of the world's largest steel producers and a leading Russian metals company. The company's operations in Russia include a large steel-producing complex encompassing the entire production chain, from the preparation of iron ore to downstream processing of rolled steel. MMK turns out a broad range of steel products with a predominant share of high-value-added products. In 2016, the company produced 12.5 million tonnes of crude steel and 11.6 million tonnes of commercial steel products. MMK Group had sales in 2016 of USD 5,630 million and EBITDA of USD 1,956 million.

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