Severstal ramps up daily melts to increase output
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Russian steelmaker Severstal has completed a set of measures to increase the daily volume of converter steel melts from 82 to 86 at its Cherepovets Steel Works (CherMK), the company says.
The final project was the overhaul of the continuous casting plant No. 4 (UNRS-4). In particular, UNRS-4 was equipped with a new secondary cooling system, which automatically changes the intensity of cooling of the cast billet depending on the casting speed, metal temperature, the chemical composition of the steel grade and the width of the cast billet.
Also, at UNRS-4, five-roller sections were replaced with new units with "middle supports," the enterprise claims.
“In March, we announced a target forecast for steel production up to 13 million tonnes in 2023,” said Severstal’s ceo Alexander Shevelev. “Modernisation of UNRS-4, along with UNRS-1, which was completed last year, is one of the sources for achieving long-term goals in the Upstream direction. Modernisation of the UNRS-4 will allow to reduce the modifications due to deviations in the quality of the surface of slabs and rolled products, to increase productivity by increasing the overhaul intervals.”
The 86 heats is a record high level, which CherMK will sustainably provide and our team continues to look for opportunities for a further daily increase in converter steel production, he added.
In total, Severstal allocated RUB 1.5 billion ($20.4 million) to modernise these two units as part of the comprehensive program to increase the production of high-quality steel at the CherMK, Kallanish notes. The reconstruction of the URNS-4 was carried out in 26 days instead of the planned 32 days.
Severstal’s revenue gained 56.8% on-year to $5.17 billion in H1 as a result of higher prices and sales volumes (see Kallanish passim). Six-month sales rose 4% on-year to 5.3mt. Crude steel output grew 1% to 5.7mt, driven by the EAF-1 start-up in April.
Svetoslav Abrossimov Bulgaria