SMS Demag took two thin-strand continuous casters into operation at Maanshan Iron & Steel (Masteel) of China. Masteel’s casters are designed for the joint production of 5.7 million metric tons of flat products per year. With a speed of up to 2.2 meters/minute, they cast slabs ranging from 950-2,150 mm in width and from 230-250 in thickness. SMS Demag’s scope of supply comprised the engineering, mechanical equipment and the X-Pact® electrical and automation systems.

SMS Demag has also been awarded a contact by Tata Iron & Steel Co. Ltd. of India for the modernization of its hot strip mill in Jamshedpur. The mill, designed and built by SMS Demag in 1993, currently produces around 3.1 million tons of hot strip per year. Production after the revamp can be raised to more than 3.5 million tons per year.