Powering up: Steel plant contracts to boost performance, efficiency

Zurich, Switzerland —A new steel plant in Brazil is installing engineering and power equipment to ensure its operation achieves high productivity and energy efficiency. ThyssenKrupp Steel AG , one of Europe’s largest steelmakers, has contracted with ABB to do the work, worth $36 million, at the facility under construction southeast of Rio de Janeiro. The steel plant is a joint venture between ThyssenKrupp and Brazilian ore producer Companhia Vale do Rio Doce , reported to be the largest iron ore and pellet producer in the world.

ABB will perform the engineering work and supply power equipment, including a 138 kV substation, high- and medium-voltage switchgear, transformers, and power cables. The order was booked in fourth-quarter 2006. The plant, scheduled to begin operation in 2008, will have two blast furnaces, two converters, and two continuous casting plants. It is expected to produce about 5 million tons of slab steel annually for North American and European markets.

“The combination of ABB’s automation and power engineering expertise provides stable, efficient systems for important steel projects like this,” said Veli-Matti Reinikkala, head of ABB’s Process Automation division. “ABB’s advanced technology, custom-made solutions, and excellent reference sites in Brazil helped us to win this contract.”

ABB says it has done previous work for ThyssenKrupp, including power and automation for a new cold rolling steel mill in Terni, Italy in 2005, and power and automation systems for cold rolling mills in Shanghai, China in 2003 and Krefeld, Germany in 2002.

—Control Engineering Daily News Desk Jeanine Katzel , senior editor

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