Bhushan Steel orders electrical and automation equipment from Siemens to expand a hot-strip mill in India

Bhushan Steel Ltd., an Indian steel producer, has engaged Siemens to supply the electrical and automation equipment for the expansion of its existing hot-strip mill in Meramandali. The objects of the project are to increase the production capacity and widen the range of products. The equipment is scheduled to be supplied in 2012.

The hot-strip mill is located in Meramandali, in the Indian Federal State of Orissa. A second roughing stand, an additional finishing stand and a third coiler will be installed during the course of extensive modernization. This will enable Bhushan Steel not only to add thinner strips to its range of products, but also to increase its output. The rolling mill will produce hot strip in thicknesses ranging from 1.2 to 25.4 millimeters and up to a width of 1 680 millimeters. The production capacity of the plant will increase from 4 to 5.5 million tons per annum.

The hot-strip mill came into production in the spring of 2010. It is already equipped with a Siemens drive and automation solution, including technological control systems and process models for strip dimensions and temperatures. Siemens is also supplying the drives together with the basic and process automation for the new stands and coiler, and will integrate them into the existing environment. After the plant expansion has been completed, Bhushan will possess an enhanced integrated solution based on the Siroll HM automation concept, which has been specifically developed for hot-strip mills. A user-friendly operator control and visualization system with integrated process and plant diagnostic functions will make it easier to operate the plant, and ensure that malfunctions are detected quickly. That will provide the basis for high plant availability. Siemens is also responsible for the design and configuration of the equipment.

Further information about solutions for steel works, rolling mills and processing lines is available at: http://www.siemens.com/metals

The Siemens Industry Sector (Erlangen, Germany) is the world's leading supplier of innovative and environmentally friendly products and solutions for industrial customers. With end-to-end automation technology and industrial software, solid vertical-market expertise, and technology-based services, the Sector enhances its customers' productivity, efficiency, and flexibility. With a global workforce of more than 100,000 employees, the Industry Sector comprises the Divisions Industry Automation, Drive Technologies and Customer Services as well as the Business Unit Metals Technologies. For more information, visit www.siemens.com/industry