California Steel awards two upgrade projects to Primetals Technologies

To expand its product mix and improve utilization, California Steel Industries (CSI), has contracted with Primetals Technologies for two electrical and automation projects for its 86“ hot strip mill Hot Strip Mill and #2 Continuous Galvanizing Line in Fontana, California, USA. The Continuous Galvanizing Line upgrade is scheduled for a mid-2020 completion, and the 86” Hot Strip Mill project is expected to be complete by mid-2022.

Following an earlier Level 1 and Level 2 upgrade, the scope of the 86" Hot Strip Mill project includes a detailed migration plan for new motors, drives and power distribution for six finishing mill stands. Primetals Technologies is supplying medium voltage motors, medium voltage drives, transformers and switchgear, as well as engineering and commissioning. When completed, the upgraded mill will enable CSI to expand its product mix, minimize delays and improve mill utilization.

The electrical and automation upgrade of CSI’s #2 Continuous Galvanizing Line will be implemented in multiple phases. It will improve mill utilization by replacing equipment nearing obsolescence, including AC and DC drives, Level 1 automation, Level 2 automation and HMI. The project scope also includes engineering and commissioning.

California Steel Industries, Inc. began operations in 1984 and is the leading producer of flat rolled steel in the Western United States, producing the widest range of flat rolled steel products in the region. The plant in Fontana, California, has the capacity to produce more than two million tons of hot rolled, pickled and oiled, galvanized, and cold rolled sheet, and electric resistance welded pipe steel.

Finishing mill motor room at California Steel in Fontana, California (Photo courtesy CSI).

Primetals Technologies, Limited headquartered in London, United Kingdom is a worldwide leading engineering, plant-building and lifecycle services partner for the metals industry. The company offers a complete technology, product and service portfolio that includes integrated electrics, automation and environmental solutions. This covers every step of the iron and steel production chain, extending from the raw materials to the finished product – in addition to the latest rolling solutions for the nonferrous metals sector. Primetals Technologies is a joint venture of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) and Siemens. Mitsubishi-Hitachi Metals Machinery (MHMM) - an MHI consolidated group company with equity participation by Hitachi, Ltd. and the IHI Corporation - holds a 51% stake and Siemens a 49% stake in the joint venture. The company employs around 7,000 employees worldwide. Further information is available on the Internet at www.primetals.com.