UK-based plantmaker Primetals Technologies has announced that it has received an order from Brazilian steelmaker Gerdau to modify the four-strand continuous caster at its location in Cartersville, Georgia, US, in order to produce beam blanks with larger dimensions. Commissioning of the modified plant is scheduled for the end of the current year.
The four-strand continuous caster was installed by Primetals Technologies in 1999 and is designed for annual production of 692,000 mt. Up to now it has been possible to produce two billet formats, two bloom formats and one beam blank format. The upcoming modification of the caster by Primetals Technologies will enable casting of an additional beam blank format with larger dimensions. This will allow Gerdau to roll larger finished products for applications in the building and construction industries.