Around 25 million € of investments to continue optimization of facilities and processes

In the steelplant, around 12 million € are to be invested in improving ingot-casting logistics. A new crane and an expansion of the casting building will eliminate logistical problems in this sector. For certain special applications (e.g. boilermaking plate), the liquids steel is not continuous-cast as is nowadays standard practice, but instead teemed into moulds, producing ingots of up to 60 tonnes. In the past, casting of ingot-making heats has signified losses of productivity in the steelplant, due to the temporary diversion of crane capacity needed for other purposes. This investment will eliminate this shortage and enhance overall steelplant capacity. In the rolling-mill, a straightening press for heavy plate is to be installed, involving a total investment volume of some 13 million €. This press will meet the needs of customers for plate products with special dimensions and maximum flatness requirements. Such plates are used, for example, in mechanical engineering, steel fabrication and the tools industry. The dimensions and press force of the new machine will make it one of the largest of its type anywhere in the world. It can be used for straightening of plates with a width of up to 5,200 mm, with maximum straightening forces of 65,000 kNewton, equivalent to a weight of 6,500 tonnes. This investment provides facilities for straightening of Dillinger Hütte's entire dimension and format range. "We intend to further consolidate our position as the market and technology leader in demanding high-quality plate grades. Our continuous program of extremely high investments will ensure that we can keep and further extend our technological lead", explains Dr. Norbert Bannenberg, member of Board of Management and responsible for Technology at Dillingen. Against this background, Dillinger Hütte has also decided to invest more than 40 million € in a new slab pusher furnace at its 100% subsidiary, GTS Industries, in Dunkirk. The new installation will replace one of the existing pusher furnaces, and will have a nominal capacity of 200 tonnes/hour.