Tata builds lifting steel capacity
5 July 2012Indian-owned Tata Steel has taken another step in the development of its European specialised steel business, with the completion of a major investment in upgrading one of the coilers at its IJmuiden hot strip mill.
Indian-owned Tata Steel has taken another step in the development of its European specialised steel business, with the completion of a major investment in upgrading one of the coilers at its IJmuiden hot strip mill.
The new investment will allow the company to produce higher-strength strip steel for cranes, and higher-gauge strip for excavators. In May 2011, Tata announced an £8m investment in its Clydebridge, Glasgow, steel plate plant, allowing it to increase production of specialist crane steel there by 50%.
Gareth Beese, Tata Steel's sales and marketing director for lifting and excavating, said: "Our equipment manufacturing customers are looking for stronger and heavier-gauge steel products to get more out of the machines they make. This investment means that we can continue to play a part in helping them to improve the efficiency of their own products."
A number of new steel grades are in development and are being trialled through the upgraded coiler, including Ympress S700 and Ympress S960. These grades target lifting and excavator manufacturers: 960mPa steel is one of the most commonly used grades used by crane boom manufacturers.
The upgrade was carried out by metallurgical plantmakers Siemens and SMS Siemag. The coiler has been upgraded with new mandrel and pinch roll equipment as well as with new motors, electrical drives, gears and hydraulic equipment.
The upgraded coiler can supply high-strength steels up to 20mm thick. Core applications for the new steel grades will be those requiring high strength combined with reduced weight, including cranes and construction equipment.
