On April 29, Chinese steel giant Baosteel's No. 4 continuous annealing machine successfully passed a hot run test for its non-grain-oriented (NGO) silicon steel in terms of surface quality and performance. Baosteel has commented that mass production of NGO silicon steel can further optimize its product structure and help meet the market need for high-end products.
Baosteel's No. 4 continuous annealing machine is a key part of the producer's cold rolled silicon steel project for the 11th Five-Year Plan period. Baosteel's No. 4 continuous annealing machine has an annual designed capacity of 210,000 mt of 0.15 mm thick NGO silicon steel. The No. 4 machine will increase Baosteel's production capacity of NGO silicon steel to above one million mt, up from 900,000 mt.
Of the producer's other continuous annealing machines, No.1 and No.2 were bought overseas and started production in 2004, mainly producing medium and low grade NGO silicon steel. Meanwhile, continuous annealing machine No.3 was built by Baosteel itself in 2005 and in 2006 began producing high, medium and low grade NGO silicon steel.