New Stainless Steel Blooming Mill for Fagersta: Danieli Technology for Maximum Product Quality

Fagersta Stainless, part of the Marcegaglia Group since 2023, has signed a second project agreement with plant manufacturer Danieli: the construction of a new blooming mill for stainless steel products of the highest quality, including demanding alloys such as Inconel and SuperDuplex.

The new mill will have a production capacity of 70,000 tons per year and will produce round bars and billets with diameters ranging from 35 to 220 mm. It is designed to expand the product range and significantly enhance operational flexibility at the historic Fagersta site, once again establishing it as an industry benchmark.

The facility will allow for three different production routes: Firstly, billets can be processed directly after the breakdown mill without intermediate storage or reheating, allowing for immediate rolling at the existing wire rod mill. This method achieves the highest reduction rates and the finest grain structures.

Alternatively, material can undergo additional rolling after the breakdown mill via a new reversible shiftable stand, or through that stand followed by a continuous rolling mill with in-line quenching, and then proceed to a completely new finishing section.

A notable feature of the project is the modernization and certification of an original mill stand from 1943, which will be fully automated for modern operation.

For reheating the ingots and blooms, six new energy-efficient pit furnaces from Danieli Centro Combustion will be used. These are equipped with hydrogen-ready regenerative burners capable of flameless operation and ultra-low NOx emissions.

Smooth material handling will be ensured by a fully automated crane with smart video monitoring, supplied by Danieli Centro Cranes.

The entire plant will be managed by advanced process control systems from Danieli Automation and supported by several Danieli patents.

Commissioning is scheduled for the end of 2026.

Source and Photo: Danieli S.p.A.