NLMK La Louvière Receives First Major Equipment for Hot Strip Mill Upgrade

NLMK La Louvière, one of the leading producers of flat steel coils in Belgium and part of NLMK Group, a Metal-Expo regular exhibitor, has received the first major equipment for its 150 million euro hot strip mill upgrade that will enable the company to expand the production of thinner, stronger and more environmentally friendly steel for customers in the EU.

On Tuesday, May 5, two 100 tonne mill housings for the first finishing mill stand, one of the three stands to be replaced by the end of the year, were delivered to La Louvière in Belgium. The mill housings for the the first finishing mill stand are supplied by Primetals Technologies, a leading supplier of solutions for the metals industry, a Metal-Expo regular exhibitor. In 2019, Primetals Technologies were awarded the contract to modernize the hot strip mill.

Investment in the hot strip mill modernization is part of NLMK Group’s Strategy 2022. With the improved capability, NLMK La Louvière will increase its share of the niche HRC market .

The extensive upgrade and modernization includes installation of a state-of-the art automation system, three new and three upgraded roll mill stands, new drives and motors as well as new run-out table, modernized cooling and water systems, and a new down-coiler. The project will enable the mill to expand the production of high strength thin hot rolled coil (as thin as 1.2 mm), increase the range of high-strength products beyond 1 000 MPa yield strength and provide customers with best-in-class surface and dimensional tolerances.

The first phase of the mill transformation is scheduled for completion by end 2020, and a second phase will be completed in 2021.