Liberty Galati hot strip mill revamp cuts costs

Danieli Service has carried out the on-site machining of two roughing stands at Liberty Galati’s hot strip mill, which should lead to cost savings in terms of reduced spare parts consumption and down time, Danieli says.

The revamp consisted of the geometrical re-alignment of hot strip mill windows, and use of new technological equipment, including DanLiner wear plates. “Correct mill-stand geometry is essential for effective and accurate gauge control, strip/plate quality, and preventive maintenance of the mill and its associated parts,” Danieli says in a note sent to Kallanish.

Last September Liberty Steel committed to investing over €200 million ($220m) in its Galati steelworks to boost competitiveness, extend product range and support sales growth (see Kallanish passim). The firm previously said it would likely relaunch one of Galati’s two idle blast furnaces, and would also consider the restart of the other idle BF or installation of an electric arc furnace.

Liberty Galati has a 3 million tonnes/year crude steel production capacity, selling to the construction, marine, oil, gas and wind energy sectors. Production in 2019 was foreseen at 2.1mt versus 1.7mt in 2018. The planned investment will take production over 3m t/y.