Nippon Yakin Kogyo Produces First Stainless Steel Coils on New HZ Mill

Japanese stainless steel manufacturer Nippon Yakin Kogyo has successfully produced the first coil on its new HZ mill, supplied by Primetals Technologies. This reversing cold rolling mill, installed at the company’s Kawasaki plant, is the first HZ mill in the world to be used for stainless steel production. Primetals Technologies was responsible for the design, delivery of key mechanical and electrical components, as well as commissioning.

The advanced 20-high split-housing mill from Primetals Technologies offers several advantages over conventional 20-high mills. Thanks to its large roll gap design, it enables easy threading and smooth restarts after strip breaks. The mill also features a double AS-U shape control system that ensures a stable rolling process and enhanced productivity. At the Kawasaki plant, the new HZ mill replaces two monoblock cold rolling mills.

Cleaner Processes and Higher Performance

In addition, Primetals Technologies has installed a larger exhaust system, contributing to a cleaner and safer working environment. With the HZ mill, Nippon Yakin Kogyo is able to increase production and reduce the thickness of high-performance stainless steel grades used in a variety of demanding applications. The mill produces coils with thicknesses down to 0.2 millimeters and widths of up to 1,350 millimeters, at a maximum rolling speed of 1,000 meters per minute.

Longstanding Partnership with Primetals Technologies

Nippon Yakin Kogyo is a leading manufacturer of high-performance materials, including flat products made from nickel alloys, as well as corrosion- and heat-resistant materials. The company’s product portfolio primarily consists of stainless steel sheets, particularly austenitic grades. Over the years, Primetals Technologies and Nippon Yakin Kogyo have collaborated on several major projects, including the supply of a Steckel mill, a hot reversing mill, and a skin-pass mill.

Source and Photo: Primetals Technologies Ltd.