ArcelorMittal Vega, located in São Francisco do Sul, Brazil, is a producer of cold rolled and galvanized steel, primarily serving the automobile industry. The facility features modern infrastructure, including a state-of-the-art pickling and tandem cold mill (PL-TCM) and two hot dip galvanizing lines. To ensure a high production level and the smooth supply to the new CAL/CGL, SMS group undertook a significant upgrade to the PLTCM, including the installation of a fifth rolling mill stand. This strategic enhancement ensures that both the PL-TCM and the new CAL/CGL are optimally integrated, enhancing Vega’s overall production capabilities.
The new CAL/CGL enhances Vega’s capacity to produce high-strength steel for automotive and household industries. It has an capacity of 640,000 tonnes per year and can process strips with thicknesses ranging from 0.4 to 3.0 mm and widths up to 1,875 mm, operating at a maximum speed of 200 m/min.
Designed for dual functionality, the line combines both annealing and galvanizing processes. The end products include GI coated steel, Magnelis® coated steel (ZnMg), and annealed steel. Coming from the future requirement of handling high-strength steel, each piece of mechanical and process equipment installed in the line is designed and already capable of handling steel strip with a yield strength of at least 1,500 MPa.
Another notable feature of the CAL/CGL is the Drever furnace, which ensures optimal heating and cooling for high-quality annealing. The line also includes a compact cleaning section for efficient pre-treatment of the strip and a horizontal roll coater for uniform coating application.
RIL
In addition to the CAL/CGL, the recoiling and inspection line (RIL) achieved a milestone with the issuance of the provisional acceptance. This line plays an integral role in the expanded cold rolling complex, ensuring high-quality inspection and recoiling processes that support the new CAL/CGL by maintaining the integrity and quality of the final products.
The successful commissioning of the new CAL/CGL at ArcelorMittal Vega highlights the close cooperation between ArcelorMittal and SMS group. This project not only enhances Vega’s production capabilities, but also sets a new benchmark for quality and efficiency. The first coil milestone is a demonstration to the collaborative effort and technical excellence that defines this partnership, paving the way for future advancements and continued success.
