ArcelorMittal Poland revamps Krakow CR mill, ups capacity

ArcelorMittal Poland (AMP) is investing PLN 100 million ($25.2m) to modernise the cold rolling mill at its Krakow site by year-end, with a view to increasing production capacity but at stable electricity consumption.

The work will involve the replacement of the rolling mill motors, modernisation of the sheet pickling line and the purchase of a new grinding machine. The replacement of three DC motors in one of the rolling stands with one AC motor has already been completed.

The greater power of the motor means faster rolling mill speed, thereby lifting overall capacity. By year-end, the sheet pickling line revamp will enable a larger number of hot rolled coils to be prepared simultaneously for treatment. The grinder will meanwhile ensure coil surface deviations do not exceed 0.002mm per meter.

AMP did not respond before deadline to Kallanish request for clarification on CRC mill capacity.

This follows the PLN 30m environmental investment announced at the end of last year into Krakow’s coke plant. “This is the best proof that ArcelorMittal Poland has an appetite for investing into the Krakow unit and that we want our Krakow rolling mills to work in a sustainable manner and be ready to meet the growing needs of our customers,” says AMP chairman Sanjay Samaddar.

AMP decided in October 2020 to close its Krakow hot-end for good after demand failed to recover to satisfactory levels (see Kallanish passim). The BF was initially idled in November 2019 on account of reduced demand and a large volume of imports into the EU. The firm produced 3.9 million tonnes of crude steel in 2020, down 19% on-year.

Adam Smith Germany