Siemens to Supply Automation and Electrical Equipment for three New Processing Lines at Shougang Jingtang

The three processing lines are part of the second expansion phase currently underway at the steel-refining complex on the Caofeidian peninsula. The contract volume is in the double-digit million euro range and production is scheduled to start at the end of 2010.

Shougang Jingtang, a joint venture of Chinese steel producers Shougang Corp. and Tangshan Iron & Steel Co., is currently building a new steel refining and processing factory on the artificially created Caofeidian peninsula 80 kilometers south of Tangshan. The construction work is being carried out in several phases. The factory is part of a series of environmental protection measures which involve moving heavy industry from the densely built-up Peking area to the outlying regions around the city. Siemens has already equipped the strip processing lines in the first stage of expansion.

For the three new strip processing lines, Siemens is supplying all the drives and the basic automation system – which includes the technological closed-loop controllers for skin-passing stands and tension levelers – as well as the instrumentation and control equipment for strip cleaning and secondary processing. The project also encompasses process automation, control desks as well as operator control & visualization equipment with user-friendly process and plant diagnostic functions.

The entire plant is being automated with the help of the “Siroll PL” automation solution for strip processing lines and on the basis of Simatic S7 programmable logic controllers. For programming purposes, standardized application modules are being used. This facilitates both easier commissioning and maintenance. The process automation system and the operator control & visualization system of the largely fully automatic production machines will be fitted with standard server components, some of which are configured redundantly. This increases plant availability. All the main and auxiliary drives will utilize Sinamics three-phase technology. This is characterized by its compact design, low-noise operation, uniform parameterization over the entire production line and great ease of maintenance. For purposes of quality data logging and to ensure a product of a consistently high quality, all three lines will be equipped with the fully-automatic surface inspection system, SIAS.

Siemens is also responsible for supervision of the installation work and commissioning and will provide support during acceptance tests in addition to customer training.

The main reasons why the contract was awarded to Siemens was the positive experience of Shougang Jintang with Siemens during the first phase of expansion, the technical and technological competence of Siemens in the area of strip-processing lines as well as the company's local presence, which will later ensure speedy and efficient after sales service.

The annealing line is being erected in collaboration with SMS Demag AG, Duesseldorf, and Fives Stein, Evry, France. The two hot galvanizing lines are being built in conjunction with the Belgian company CMI, Seraing, and Fives Stein.

The Siemens Industry Sector (Erlangen, Germany) is the world's leading supplier of production, transportation, building and lighting technologies. With integrated automation technologies as well as comprehensive industry-specific solutions, Siemens increases the productivity, efficiency and flexibility of its customers in the fields of industry and infrastructure. The Sector consists of six Divisions: Building Technologies, Drive Technologies, Industry Automation, Industry Solutions, Mobility and Osram. With around 222,000 employees worldwide Siemens Industry posted a profit of EUR3.86 billion with revenues totaling EUR 38 billion.

With the business activities of Siemens VAI Metal Technologies, (Linz, Austria), Siemens Water Technologies (Warrendale, Pa., U.S.A.), and Industry Technologies, (Erlangen, Germany), the Siemens Industry Solutions Division (Erlangen, Germany) is one of the world's leading solution and service providers for industrial and infrastructure facilities. Using its own products, systems and process technologies, Industry Solutions develops and builds plants for end customers, commissions them and provides support during their entire life cycle. With around 31,000 employees worldwide Siemens Industry Solutions achieved an order intake of EUR 8.4 billon in fiscal year 2008 (preliminary and unaudited).