The Columbus Flat Roll Division of Steel Dynamics Inc (SDI) – one of the largest domestic steel producers and metals recyclers in the United States – is investing $140 million on adding a new continuous hot dip galvanising line (CGL № 3) into its existing plant in Columbus, Mississippi, USA. The plan is to diversify the company’s product portfolio. At present, the Columbus Division serves the needs of the automotive, agriculture, appliance, building and construction, energy, HVAC, lighting and machinery industries
The US steelmaker has taken on Fives, a global industrial engineering group, to carry out the work.
Fives’ partnership with SDI began in August last year, when the US steelmaker contracted Fives to upgrade its continuous galvanising line (CGL № 2). The goal was to increase the plant’s production capacity. Fives deployed its DMS OptiLine speciality software to simulate the complete operation of a strip processing line.
Fives’ latest project includes design, supply and commissioning of SDI’s complete 400kt/yr CGL № 3. The advanced line will be dedicated to produce unexposed automotive steel grades, as well as other commercial and specialised steel grades. The scope of supply includes a complete design and supply of entry and exit coil handling sections, a degreasing section, a horizontal annealing furnace, hot dip galvanising and cooling equipment, a skin-pass mill and strip leveler, inspection, metallurgical assistance for different steel grades and types of coating, as well as construction and commissioning assistance. The likely commissioning date for the new line is expected to be the middle of 2020.
According to Madhu Ranade, vice president and general manager of SDI Columbus, SDI’s target is to increase value-added product capacity, diversify its product portfolio and increase profitability by investing in new projects and advanced technologies. “We look forward to again working with Fives. With the three lines in Columbus, Mississippi, and a fourth planned for the new mill in the south western region, SDI will become the leading supplier and a one-stop shop of coated products for customers throughout the southern region of United States and in Mexico.”
Guillaume Mehlman, president of the Fives' Steel Division commented: “We are proud to work with SDI to contribute to the success of their entrepreneurial-oriented business. Fives has significant references worldwide designing and supplying advanced technologies, including complete annealing, galvanising and coating lines in the USA, Europe and Asia.”
