As part of its “Steel Strategy 20-30” campaign, thyssenkrupp Steel has announced the construction of new core units at the Duisburg and Bochum sites, aimed at expanding the range of premium steels, it says.
According to a statement made on Wednesday, the plan is to convert the casting rolling line in Duisburg into a new continuous casting line with a downstream hot strip mill. Moreover, the existing continuous casting line 3, also in Duisburg, will be rebuilt to optimise slab production, Kallanish learns.
Investments are also envisaged at the Bochum site, where a new double reversing mill and an annealing and isolating line will be built. According to the company, the measures will strengthen the Bochum site’s position as a competence centre for steels for e-mobility. For this application, thinner and stronger sheet is needed to increase the performance of electric motors, thyssenkrupp explains. It notes that supplies to customers will be guaranteed during the conversion and construction work.
The projects involve an overall investment volume in the high three-digit million-euro range. Completion of all projects is scheduled for the end of 2024. This package is a clear statement by tk group for the steel business, as it marks the biggest investment since the construction of the Schwelgern coking plant in 2003. “This is a strong signal for the steel business and a strong mark of confidence in difficult times,” says tk Steel chief executive Bernhard Osburg.
