On August 25, German plantmaker SMS Siemag announced that it has received an order from the largest steel subsidiary of Germany-based Salzgitter Group, Salzgitter Flachstahl GmbH, for the construction of a near-net-shape caster in Peine, Germany. A fundamentally different and worldwide unique casting concept will thus be implemented for the first time on an industrial scale and enable the casting of new high-strength steels, according to SMS Siemag.
The advantages of the belt casting technology are considerable energy and CO2 savings compared to conventional steel production. Furthermore, it enables the industrial production of steels of high strength and ductility, which are preferred by the automotive industry.