thyssenkrupp Steel announced that it has resumed trial production at its No. 4 hot strip mill in Duisburg, Germany.
On the evening of October 24, 2025, an explosion followed by a fire occurred in the furnace area of the facility, causing damage particularly to the furnaces and parts of the roof structure.
In the months following the incident, the company carried out extensive repair and refurbishment work on the affected sections of the plant. In addition to repairs, several technical upgrades and modernization measures aimed at improving production efficiency were also implemented. The continuous casting unit, which is part of the facility, had already resumed operations in mid-December.
Marco Richrath, Chief Production Officer of thyssenkrupp Steel, said the restart of the No. 4 hot strip mill represents an important step in strengthening the stability, flexibility, and reliability of the company’s production network. He noted that, together with the modernized continuous casting facility and the digitalized slab logistics system, one of Europe’s most advanced production networks is now back in operation.
The company stated that Hot Strip Mill 4 is at the center of its broader modernization strategy and is designed to produce hot-rolled flat steel in a wide range of grades. The product portfolio includes standard steels as well as high-strength and thinner premium steel grades used in the automotive, machinery, construction, and energy sectors.
Richrath emphasized that the facility has been recommissioned with enhanced precision, surface quality, and production flexibility to meet increasing customer requirements.
