Steel Dynamics Inc. awarded the contract for an expansion at its Roanoke Bar Division in Roanoke, Va., to SMS group. The $28 million upgrade will integrate a new reheating furnace and finishing area into the facility. The Roanoke Bar Division plans to utilize its existing excess melting and casting capability to increase rolling capacity from the current 500,000 tons to over 600,000 tons per year. The supply package includes a pusher-type, high-capacity reheating furnace designed to process 140 tons of billets per hour.

The objective of the new reheating furnace is not only to increase productivity but also to significantly improve energy efficiency, with the adoption of a smart combustion management system. After the upgrade, the Roanoke Bar Division expects to increase production of rebar to over 200,000 tons per year. Commissioning is expected to commence at the end of 2017.