Primetals Technologies to modernize minimill of Abinsk Electric Steel Works in Russia

Abinsk Electric Steel Work, a Russian producer of long products, has signed a contract with Primetals Technologies to modernize the electric arc furnace, ladle furnace and 6-strand continuous billet caster in the company's minimill. The aim of the modernization is to increase the production capacity of billets with cross sections of 130 and 150 millimeters from 0.95 to 1.5 million metric tons per annum. Additionally, Abinsk will be able to produce more quality steel grades, such as high carbon steel for wire and spring steel. The new technology will not only increase the availability of the steel works, but also decrease maintenance costs. Conversion costs will also be substantially lowered. The energy requirement of the electric arc furnace will be reduced from 410 to 370 kilowatt hours per metric ton. The modernized meltshop is scheduled to come into operation at the end of 2016, the continuous billet caster in the first quarter of 2017.