A leading global iron ore and HBI producer and supplier, as well as a producer of high-quality steel, recently launched heat treatment systems with advanced technology for a Russian steelmaking and metal rolling company.
Metalloinvest, based in Moscow, installed the Roller Hearth Heat Treatment Furnace #1 and Rolling Quenching Machine #1 at Ural Steel. Mosgipromez provided the design and engineering work for the new facility, while Tenova LOI Thermprocess was responsible for equipment delivery.
The installation of Roller Hearth Heat Treatment Furnace #1 and Rolling Quenching Machine #1 at Sheet Rolling Facility #1 enables Ural Steel to increase the production capacity of the heat treatment furnace from 28.6 to 30.7 tonnes per hour. Over the next 10 years, between 2019-2028, Ural Steel will be able to increase the production of heat-treated heavy plate by three times, and the output of steel for bridge construction by 39%. Production volumes will increase due to the introduction of a new product variety, which will be developed at the heat treatment facility.
Roller Hearth Heat Treatment Furnace #1 and Rolling Quenching Machine #1 will also help to improve the characteristics of the heavy plate, ensuring the physical uniformity of the rolled steel products following heat treatment, by improving heating and cooling conditions.
“The project has been completed as part of Metalloinvest’s comprehensive investment programme to reorganize production processes at Ural Steel, which will boost the operational and management efficiency of the enterprise,” said Andrey Varichev, CEO, Management Company Metalloinvest. “This new high-tech facility will strengthen the Company’s position in the market for heat-treated rolled products.”
“Metalloinvest is a special client for Tenova, to whom we supply our full range of products and technological solutions,” said Andrea Lovato, CEO, Tenova. “Taking part in the reorganization and modernization of Ural Steel’s production processes is a great opportunity for us, and we are confident that our partnership with Metalloinvest will help the enterprise to progress its development even further.”
This project follows Metalloinvest’s recent agreement to build a heat treatment facility for hot-rolled steel at the OEMK’s finishing plant #2, which will include the construction of a building for the heat-treatment facility and two thermal furnaces, and the creation of heavy-lifting and transmission equipment, as well as associated infrastructure. The first furnace is planned to be launched in 2019, and the second will begin operations in 2020.
The new facility will enable OEMK to carry out various kinds of heat treatment from 750-1800°F (400-980°C), a wide range of temperatures, in order to produce high-quality rolled steel products with a specific microstructure. Heat treatment is required in the production of various kinds of steel for springs, ball and roller bearings and construction, as well as for high-strength metal.
Varichev said: “We are seeing a high level of demand among customers for high-quality bars, which require heat treatment. Creating this new production facility will enable Metalloinvest to increase sales volume of this premium product and reinforce its position on the SBQ market.”
