DEARBORN – Severstal North America on Thursday announced the successful launch of a new pickle line tandem cold mill at its Dearborn plant.
The $450 million facility is expected to ramp up to full capacity of 2.1 million net tons within six months.
The launch of the PLTCM is complemented by the construction and impending startup of a modern, $285 million hot-dipped galvanizing line in the same production complex. It is nearing completion with a scheduled launch in December.
Both efforts are part of a $1.1 billion capital improvement initiative that Severstal has undertaken to expand its finishing capabilities to produce a wide range of high quality steel products while being committed to human and environmental well-being and safety.
The new PLTCM with its modern control systems and operating practices will benefit the environment by significantly reducing air emissions and lubricant waste compared to the existing cold mill.
The equipment for the new mill was supplied by Mitsubishi-Hitachi Metals Machinery. CV Engineering provided the facility design, while Barton Malow Co. acted as the construction firm overseeing the project installation.
“The launch of our new cold rolling complex is a key component in our goal of becoming one of the world’s most efficient and advanced steel producers,” Severstal North America CEO Sergei Kuznetsov said. “The new equipment will enable us to offer products of superior quality and provide exceptional service to our customers, as well as produce the next generation of advanced high strength steels (AHSS) for automotive applications.”