Russian long steelmaker Abinsk Electric Steel Work has signed up Primetals to modernise its electric arc furnace, ladle furnace and billet caster. The work will increase the firm’s 130-150mm square billet capacity to 1.5 million tonnes/year from 950,000 t/y.

The project will mean Krasnodar-based Abinsk will be able to produce more quality steel grades, such as high carbon steel for wire and spring steel, Kallanish learns from Primetals. Maintenance and conversion costs will also be reduced. The energy requirement of the EAF will be reduced from 410 to 370kWh per tonne.

The modernised meltshop is slated for commissioning by year-end, the billet caster in the first quarter of 2017.

The main hydraulic system of the EAF will be modified to improve furnace movements and minimise the power off times, approximately by 20 seconds per each scrap charging. The maximum casting speed will be 5 meters per minute for the 130mm square casting format.