New sampling line of Tata Steel Nederland for heavy-duty and energy markets

Tata Steel Nederland has added a sampling line to its hot rolling mill in IJmuiden. This line is unique in its kind and enables rapid testing of steel properties as well as the inspection and certification of each individual steel coil. This shortens lead times in the development of new steel grades and in the delivery of steel to customers. This expansion is the latest in a series of investments. It strengthens the company's position in the market for thicker, stronger and more abrasion-resistant steel.

"Tata Steel is one of the best steel producers in the world and thanks to our investment programme we continue to play in the Champions League of the steel industry," sums up Tom Eussen, Member of the Board of Tata Steel Nederland and Managing Director of Tata Steel IJmuiden. "The new sampling line is an important investment that will enable us to assess the quality of our steel more quickly and supply our customers faster."

"Investments like these enable us to develop new steel grades, such as extra abrasion-resistant steel, ultra-high-strength steel and linepipe steel," continues Eussen. "Combined with the opportunity for our customers to reduce their Scope 3 emissions through Zeremis Carbon Lite and Zeremis Delivered, we are further strengthening our position in the highly competitive steel market."

In the hot rolling mill - a hall around one kilometre long - 22.5 cm thick and 8 to 12 metre long slabs are heated in a furnace and then rolled out. The steel can be rolled up to 1.5 millimetres thin here. It is then cooled and wound. This process of heating, rolling and cooling allows the exact steel required by the customer to be produced.

The commissioning of the sampling line is the latest in a series of investments in the hot rolling mill. These investments are specifically aimed at the production of thicker, stronger and abrasion-resistant steel. This steel is not only used in demanding applications such as lorries, trailers, excavators and cranes, but also in mining and for pipelines used to transport gas, water and hydrogen.

Customers place high demands on the quality of steel. At their request and in accordance with international standards, the steel properties must be comprehensively guaranteed by test certificates for each steel coil or small series. Rapid sampling and testing are therefore essential.

The Sampling Line can sample the entire production spectrum from normal to ultra-high-strength steel fully automatically, whereby steel thicknesses of up to 25 millimetres can be cut. The samples are now also taken while hot, which has significantly increased the number of coils to be sampled. The system is unique in its kind and, together with the other investments in the hot strip mill, creates completely new opportunities for Tata Steel and its customers.

Source and Photo: Tata Steel Nederland