Wuhan Iron & Steel Co. Ltd. (Wisco) has placed an order with Siemens Metals Technologies to supply a new hot galvanizing line as well as a new continuous annealing line and other special equipment for coupled tandem pickling line No. 3 at the company's Wuhan facility. The total order value is in the two-digit million Euro range.
Wisco has been collaborating with Siemens over the last few years to launch a series of projects aimed at modernizing existing production facilities and boosting capacities. With the help of the new equipment, the cold rolling complex No. 3 is to produce a wide range of products in future, including high-strength types of steel targeted specifically for the automotive industry.
Siemens will supply all the mechanical equipment, the electrical equipment and the automation system for the new continuous annealing line, which has an annual capacity of 800.000 tonnes. The furnace will be provided by another supplier.
For the new hot galvanizing line which is to be built for cold rolling mill No. 3, Siemens will supply the flash-butt welding machine, in-line skinpass stand, and tension leveler. Both lines will be equipped with electrical and automation systems based on the Siroll PL concept.
Siemens will also supply additional special equipment for Wisco's PLTCM No. 3, including a carrousel reel, tension leveler at the entry to the pickling section, as well as trimming shears and scrap shears. Siemens is also responsible for engineering, supervision of installation, commissioning and customer training. A large part of the engineering, installation and commissioning work is being done by Siemens China.
The continuous annealing line is scheduled to start operating at the end of 2009, while the special equipment for the tandem pickling line (PLTCM) is to be delivered by the middle of 2009. Siemens was previously contracted to equip the tandem pickling line with mechanical components, automation and drives systems and technological controllers.
Wuhan Iron & Steel Corp. (Wisco) produces around 20 million tonnes of iron and steel per year, making it one of the leading producers in China.
The Siemens Industry Sector (Erlangen, Germany) is the world's leading supplier of production, transportation and building systems. The Sector comprises six Divisions: Building Technologies, Industry Automation, Industry Solutions, Mobility, Drive Technologies and Osram. In fiscal 2007 (ended September 30), Siemens Industry generated sales of approximately EUR40 billion (pro forma, unconsolidated) with around 209,000 employees worldwide.
With the business activities of Siemens VAI Metal Technologies (Linz, Austria), Siemens Water Technologies (Warrendale, Pa.), and Industry Technologies (Erlangen, Germany), the Siemens Industry Solutions Division (Erlangen, Germany) is one of the world's leading solution and service providers for industrial and infrastructure facilities. Using its own products, systems and process technologies, Industry Solutions develops and builds plants for end customers, commissions them and provides support during their entire life cycle.