Germany-based plantmaker SMS Group has announced that it will revamp the rail rolling mill of global steel giant ArcelorMittal in Gijón. The modernization project will entail the conversion from conventional two-high rolling to the more economical universal rolling method. The project is also intended to increase the length of the rails from 90 to 108 meters.
According to SMS Group, rails rolled on universal mills are produced at lower costs, feature improved dimensional accuracy and enhanced surface quality and are the rails of choice for high-speed railway lines.
The modifications to the equipment will be implemented during several scheduled line stoppages of short duration to minimize production loss. The modernization activities will take place in summer this year.