German steelmaker Salzgitter AG has commissioned a new hot straightening machine at its Salzgitter Mannesmann Grobblech plant in Mülheim an der Ruhr. With the investment, the company aims to expand its heavy plate production capabilities, particularly for the energy infrastructure and wind energy sectors.
According to an announcement dated September 3, 2026, the new equipment represents one of the largest single investments made at the plant in more than 20 years. As part of the investment, worth a double-digit million-euro amount, the existing hot straightening machine was dismantled and replaced with a higher-performance system.
Developed in cooperation with Austrian Buma Engineering & Anlagenbau GmbH, the machine was designed to meet the plant’s specific technical requirements. The new system enables the processing of thick, high-strength steel plates, which are expected to be used in energy infrastructure applications, particularly in the foundations and supporting structures of offshore wind turbines.
Weighing approximately 1,100 tonnes, the new system was installed following extensive planning to keep production disruptions as short as possible. Special rails were laid over the cooling beds to prepare the foundation for the new equipment, while the dismantling of the old machine and installation of the new system were carried out as part of the same project.
Focus on the wind energy market
Salzgitter AG said the investment will not only enhance its production capabilities but also strengthen the company’s position in growing markets related to the energy transition.
Hans-Jaan Rachner, Managing Director of Technology and Finance at Salzgitter Mannesmann Grobblech, said the investment will expand the company’s expertise in heavy plate and enable it to capitalize more effectively on future opportunities in wind energy infrastructure.
Salzgitter AG CEO Gunnar Groebler emphasized that high-performance steel products are an important component of the energy transition, adding that the new facility will strengthen the group’s position as an energy infrastructure supplier to the wind energy sector.
With the commissioning of the new hot straightening machine, Salzgitter aims to expand its access to new applications and markets, particularly in thick plate, high-strength steel and offshore wind energy infrastructure.
The foundation stone for the investment was laid in August 2024, and the new machine was scheduled to be commissioned in summer 2026.
