Andritz to modernize voestalpine’s hot-dip galvanizing line in Linz

Andritz has received an order from voestalpine to modernise the electrical and automation systems of a hot-dip galvanizing line at the steel mill in Linz, Austria.

The processing line has been continuously modernised since it began operations in 1973. Over the years, numerous rebuilds and upgrades have resulted in the use of a variety of electrical and automation systems, Kallanish understands.

The technology supplier says it will replace this variety with a unified, consistent, and user-friendly electrical and automation system that supports efficient operation. To minimise the impact on production, it will implement the modernisation in several stages, with completion scheduled for the end of 2028.

The order underscores the long-standing cooperation between the two Austrian groups, Andritz notes.

Christian Koehl Germany

kallanish.com

SKF decarbonises production using Austrian and Swiss Steel

European roller bearings producer SKF and voestalpine Wire Technology have produced the first prototype bearing made from steel that contains hydrogen-based direct reduced iron (H-DRI).

SKF and voestalpine have been working together since 2022 to explore the possibilities of using H-DRI steel for bearing applications, Kallanish hears from the Sweden-based company. The spherical roller bearing prototype was handed over to voestalpine Wire Technology at SKF’s factory in Steyr, Austria. Spherical roller bearings can be used in many different applications and industries, such as marine, pulp and paper production, mining and construction.

“Steel is a critical raw material in bearings, and to achieve the change and speed needed in decarbonising bearing production, the whole industry must come together,” says SKF chief technology officer Annika Ölme.

SKF recently announced it also started sourcing low-carbon steel from Swiss Steel. Since the beginning of the year, Swiss Steel has been delivering its GreenSteel Climate+ brand made at German unit Deutsche Edelstahlwerke (DEW) exclusively to SKF.

Christian Koehl Germany