Vallourec, a world-leading manufacturer of premium tubular steel,has contracted the Italian production technology giant Danieli to supply a new 325mm round section for an existing Danieli round bloom caster at its plant in St. Saulve in northern France.
The 4-strand, 12m radius continuous caster, installed by Danieli in 2007, is equipped with advanced technology such as the Mould EMS, multi-bending radii with multiple W/S module, provision for Final EMS, and Level 1 and Level 2 automation.
The original casting section range was from 180mm to 310mm diameter, and the steel grades being produced included API grades, special steels, and high-chromium alloys.
Danieli will supply the new moulds and related auxiliary equipment, expanding the range of cast products and making the plant available to produce bars for the automotive industry as well.
Engineered with a plug-and-play concept, says Danieli, the upgrade project will be handled on a fast track basis in order to achieve what the company describes as ‘the challenging target to restart the caster in February 2017’.
