March 2024 | In May 2022, a fire broke out in the switch house of SeAH Besteel’s steel beam line in Gunsan, South Korea. The entire propulsion system was damaged and an urgent restoration of the entire system was required for the plant to resume operations. SeAH Besteel contacted Primetals Technologies and asked for the rolling mill to be restarted within 44 days.
Recommissioning within 44 days
The reconstruction project and compliance with the extremely short deadline of 44 days were particularly challenging due to delivery difficulties caused by the pandemic. Similar projects typically take about a year. However, thanks to a continuous flow of information and the use of the company’s global organization, Primetals Technologies was able to stay on schedule and commission the plant within the specified time frame. For this exceptional achievement, Primetals Technologies was recently recognized by SeAH Besteel with a recognition that highlights the close partnership between the two companies.
“We are very proud to receive this recognition from SeAH Besteel,” said Hans-Jürgen Zeiher, Managing Director of the Global Electrical and Automation Division at Primetals Technologies. “It is proof that we as an organization always strive to support our customers in the best possible way, even in extreme situations such as the sudden fire accident on SeAH Besteel Stahlträgerstrasse. By leveraging our global corporate organization, we were able to meet the extremely tight schedule while ensuring on-site safety as a top priority.”
Tireless dedication
The fire broke out when a spark from production ignited leaking lubricating oil. It spread along cable routes and finally reached the switch house where the electrics and automation were installed. Almost all of the equipment in this room was severely damaged by the fire.
Primetals Technologies was awarded the restoration project contract and immediately began discussions with hardware suppliers. Close communication and collaboration at a global level within the company organization were the key factors in meeting the deadline. Thanks to tireless efforts, the Primetals Technologies project team managed to find suppliers who could deliver the hardware on time.
Primetals Technologies simultaneously carried out the planning, procurement and manufacture of selected special parts. In addition, activities such as installation, commissioning and optimization of the drives and the automation system, the steel beam line, were carried out in parallel on site.
Leading producer of special steel grades
The intensive reconstruction project was completed within the time frame set by SeAH Besteel. The South Korean steel producer and Primetals Technologies started the plant again on June 4, 2022. The scope of delivery included a complete electrical and automation system for the steel beam line as well as engineering and implementation.