ArcelorMittal Hochfeld, headquartered in Duisburg, Germany, placed an order with SMS Meer for the supply of a complete high-capacity wire rod mill for quality steel. The high-performance rod mill, which is designed for an annual capacity of 690,000 tons, will commence production in spring 2012. SMS Meer’s scope of supply comprises a walking-beam furnace, the mechanical and electrical equipment of the mill train, all the supply systems, the coil handling equipment, and the entire rolling and cooling technology. The walking-beam furnace for billets measuring 155-mm square will have a capacity of 120 tons/hour.

The new mill has been designed to roll technically demanding grades of extremely high quality to the closest of tolerances. It is characterized by compactness and efficiency. These facilities allow wire rod to be produced over the full size range from 5.5 to 25 mm by means of temperature-controlled rolling. Ultra-fine microstructures can be achieved, especially for cold-heading grades, by thermo-mechanical rolling.