Cleveland-Cliffs has announced the commissioning of its new vertical stainless bright anneal line at its Coshocton Works facility in Coshocton, Ohio. This $150 million investment is now completed and will supply premium stainless steel for high-end automotive and critical appliance applications.
Lourenco Goncalves Chairman, President & CEO Cleveland-Cliffs
The new annealing line uses a 100% hydrogen atmosphere, replacing the conventional acid-based processing, and includes a hydrogen recovery unit to recycle hydrogen and use a 50/50 mix of new and used hydrogen in the process.
Lourenco Goncalves, chairman, president and CEO of Cliffs said: “By using hydrogen and advanced automation, we’re dramatically improving the quality and productivity of this critical product that our customers rely upon Cleveland-Cliffs for.”
To mark the opening, a ribbon cutting ceremony was held on Wednesday, July 2 at 11:00 a.m. ET at Cliffs’ Coshocton Works facility. The event was attended by key elected officials along with Cleveland-Cliffs’ executives, employees, and key customers.
Cleveland-Cliffs is a leading North America-based steel producer with focus on value-added sheet products, particularly for the automotive industry.
Press release is available in its original form here.
Three endeavors are underway to deliver advanced roller hearth furnace technology, featuring large-scale atmosphere quench and temper, annealing, and solution treatment systems to support the automotive and energy industries.
CAN-ENG Furnaces International, Ltd. is engaged in providing three separate systems amounting to over 450 feet of roller hearth furnace capacity.
Tim Donofrio Vice President of Sales Can-Eng Furnaces International, Ltd. Source: Can-Eng Furnaces International, Ltd.
The first of the three undertakings is a high capacity, roller hearth lamination annealing system. Produced for the transformer manufacturing industry, it will be supplied to one of North America’s largest transformer core manufacturers with operations in the USA, Canada, Mexico and China. The lamination annealing process is applied to transformer cores to enhance their magnetic properties and reduce core loss, ultimately improving efficiency and performance. The system integrates a pre-heat system, high temperature annealing furnace with integrated protected atmosphere-controlled cooling and accelerated cooling chamber. It is more than 300ft long and is capable of producing over 14,000 lbs/hr of atmosphere protected electrical steel core laminations used to manufacture high voltage transformer stations needed in the development of North America’s electrical distribution infrastructure.
“This project is being carried out largely to satisfy the demand for improving America’s aging and overburden power distribution network. As part of improving the nation’s power distribution network, consideration is being made to increase access to electric vehicle charging stations of which transformer cores are a critical part,” shared Tim Donofrio, Vice President of Sales, Can-Eng Furnaces International, Ltd.
The second endeavor is a roller hearth solution treatment furnace system for a tier one supplier of cast aluminum automotive components. The furnace will be used as part of a continuous T-6 heat treatment system for the manufacturing of cast aluminum, safety critical suspension components, and will serve to supply for one of America’s largest Japanese-based automotive manufacturers. These suspension components are to be integrated into future hybrid and electric automobiles produced in America by the manufacturer.
The third project is a roller hearth atmosphere mesh belt furnace system for a tier one supplier of safety critical, high value fasteners. This system is used to atmosphere, quench and temper high value, safety critical fasteners used in automotive manufacturing. The system is rated for processing over 6000 lbs/hr, and is being supplied to an existing customer with four similar roller hearth furnaces. The system supports the ongoing demands for domestic-supplied, high volume, heat treatment capacity.
A company in the automotive industry is expanding its hardening plant and has ordered a new vacuum furnace. The furnace introduces a heat treatment strategy for large die processing.
Maciej Korecki Vice President of the Vacuum Segment SECO/WARWICK Source: SECO/WARWICK
The Vector vacuum furnace produced for Isoflama by SECO/WARWICK Group will help to achieve an effective solution for the heat treatment of dedicated parts – the hardening of very large dies for large presses used in the automotive industry. It is also equipped with an efficient cooling system and a large working zone with increased load support beam capacity, enabling work with very heavy dies.
“The customer wanted to shorten the heat treatment cycle time. We have used a number of modifications in this furnace, which are a response to the commercial heat-treating plant’s specific needs.” commented Maciej Korecki, vice president of the Vacuum Segment at SECO/WARWICK Group.
Łukasz Chwiałkowski, sales manager for this project, adds, “This time too, we have created a unique furnace based on a standard solution. We have reinforced the support beam under the hearth to increase the process load rating by more than 60%. This was a key modification which will allow this Brazilian commercial heat treater to process heavy and large dies for the automotive industry.“
Press release is available in its original form here.
After 15 years of collaboration, a new CAB furnace designed for production of heat exchangers for delivery vehicles, trucks, and cars is set to begin operating in Monterrey Mexico.
This 15-year collaboration between SECO/WARWICK and their Asian partner began in 2010 when the two began working together on solutions for heat exchanger production for trucks, passenger cars, and new energy technologies. The new CAB line that will operate in Mexico is equipped with a thermal degreasing furnace, preheating chambers, a radiation furnace, a deicing furnace, a final cooling chamber, and an advanced control system. These features are designed to meet the requirements of the automotive industry, as well as ensure long-term and reliable operation.
Liu Yedong Managing Director SECO/WARWICK China.Piotr Skarbiński Vice President of Aluminum and CAB Products Segment SECO/WARWICK
“We can say that this is the jubilee 15th order, exactly on the 15th anniversary of our cooperation beginning,” said Piotr Skarbiński, vice president of the Aluminum and CAB Products Segment at SECO/WARWICK Group.
“The CAB line with a 1,400 mm wide belt ensures excellent temperature uniformity across the entire width, which translate into the final product quality,”Liu Yedong, managing director of SECO/WARWICK China added.
Press release is available in its original form here.
A major automaker announced a $20 billion investment in United States-based manufacturing.
Hyundai‘s investment, which the automaker described as a pledge to increase localized production in the United States, will create over 1,000 jobs. As part of the pledge, the company will open a $5.8 billion steel plant in Louisiana.
This near-shoring move by Hyundai is one among many automakers who are currently planning major U.S. investments, including Stellantis, which promised $5 billion to U.S manufacturing and Honda, which is expected to produce new Civic hybrids in Indiana.
Press release is available in its original from here.
A continuous line for protective atmosphere brazing has been contracted by a company involved in the research, development, and production of precision metal parts for the automotive industry. The EV/CAB line is intended for the production of large-sized electric vehicle battery coolers.
Piotr Skarbiński Vice President of Aluminum and CAB Products Segment SECO/WARWICK
The EV/CAB line, manufactured and delivered by SECO/WARWICK, will help the company in their manufacture of automotive heat exchangers and is the first for the company, which has production plants in the US as well as Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Germany, and China.
“CAB continuous furnaces use a variable speed drive (to transport products) with a stainless-steel mesh conveyor belt. The controlled atmosphere brazing process heats the product to the brazing temperature, while maintaining a uniform product temperature in a protective nitrogen atmosphere devoid of oxygen,” said Piotr Skarbiński, vice president of the Aluminum Process and CAB Business Segment at SECO/WARWICK. “Societal awareness related to the need to care for the natural environment is growing globally, and consistent legal changes in this direction are causing the electromobility sector to grow.”
The CAB line ordered involves a hybrid gas-electric heating method and consists of a 1.6 m wide furnace TTBB chamber, radiation preheating chamber, radiation brazing furnace, cooling chamber with air jacket, final cooling chamber and control system. The furnace is fully electric; however, at the client’s request, space was provided for the installation of gas-powered heating, which provides the flexibility for future savings. Radiation CAB furnaces provide continuous brazing of products with similar dimensions and features. The temperature is distributed evenly over the entire length of the belt due to several independent heating zones.
In addition to manufacturing electric vehicle battery coolers, the company produces precision metal parts for the computer and telecommunications industries.
Press release is available in its original from here.
Conticon, a steel-wire manufacturer, is expanding production capabilities at its North American plant by installing a CONTIROD® CR3700 line to address the growing demand for high-quality copper rod for the automotive and telecommunications industries. The line, which includes a furnace plant, casting machine, rolling plant, and cooling line, is a fully integrated casting and rolling process that turns copper cathodes and clean copper scrap into material for conductors, boosts the capacity of the existing plant.
The company, a joint venture between Grupo Condumex and Xignux, a manufacturer of electrolytic tough pitch (ETP) copper rod, commissioned SMS group to provide and complete the installation of the CONTIROD® line at its plant in Celaya-Villagrán, Mexico, boosting the current line, which has an annual capacity of approximately 230,000 tons. With an additional 320,000 tons from the new line, the total theoretical capacity is approximately 550,000 tons per year. The line is the only manufacturing process for cast wire rod that utilizes a Hazelett twin-belt casting machine, which physically precludes porosity in the casting bar’s core.
Impression of a comparable CONTIROD® CR3700 line with a capacity of 60 tons per hour
SMS, which has a long-standing relationship Condumex, Inc, dating back to the installation of the first line in 1984, is providing the company with a complete CONTIROD® line, encompassing both process and electrical equipment to enhance production at the Conticon facility. The new line covers every stage of production, including the charging device, furnace plant, casting machine, rolling plant, and cooling line, as well as the coil forming and handling systems. This comprehensive solution not only increases productivity thanks to its ease of maintenance and operation but also enhances process control and operator safety. The new CONTIROD® CR3700 line has a capacity of 48 tons per hour.
The new line offers sustainability benefits, including reductions of 55 percent for electrical energy consumption and 30 percent for natural gas. These efficiencies are achieved through advanced design and process integration and optimized thermal heat utilization, thus minimizing energy waste and enhancing the system’s overall efficiency. The technology package also features process control systems that ensure precise operation, further contributing to energy savings.
Press release is available in its original form here.
An auto parts manufacturer that specializes in the production of radiators and air conditioning systems recently ordered a fully electric furnace for brazing aluminum in a protective atmosphere. The EV/CAB line is designed for the production of tubular and plate-fin heat exchangers with uniform temperature distribution across the 1300 mm wide belt.
Piotr Skarbiński Vice President of Aluminum and CAB Products Segment SECO/WARWICK
SECO/WARWICK designed the uniform temperature distribution feature in the equipment to meet the company’s quality requirements of the finished products. The CAB line on order, the first this manufacturer has acquired from SECO/WARWICK, provides the continuous brazing of products with similar dimensions and features. The temperature is evenly distributed over the entire width of the belt due to several independent heating zones, resulting in long-term operation under industrial conditions.
“Uniform temperature distribution across the entire belt, regardless of how wide it is, is an important consideration influencing the final effect of the production,” said Piotr Skarbiński, vice president of the Aluminum Process and CAB Business Segment at SECO/WARWICK. “Our furnaces provide an optimal brazing temperature profile and a very clean atmosphere necessary to maintain high process quality. In China, we sell CAB lines for manufacturers of electric vehicle battery coolers, as well as for manufacturers of other heat exchangers. The furnaces on order by this partner are powered by electricity, making them ecological and free of CO2 emissions.”
Press release is available in its original form here.
In today’s News from Abroad installment, we highlight processing and initiatives that aim to improve operations and improve sustainability. Read more about a method used in the production of parts with complex geometries; a venture to create the world’s first fossil-free, ore-based steel with renewable electricity and green hydrogen; and a production plant that will generate around 9,000 tons of green hydrogen a year to be used for the production of carbon-reduced steel.
Heat TreatTodaypartners with two international publications to deliver the latest news, tech tips, and cutting-edge articles that will serve our audience – manufacturers with in-house heat treat. Furnaces International, a Quartz Business Media publication, primarily serves the English-speaking globe, and heat-processing, a Vulkan-Verlag GmbH publication, serves mostly the European and Asian heat treat markets.
Press Hardening Prevents Part Deformation
Press hardening neccessary due to part deformation during the rapid cooling phase induced by quenching
Source: Thermi-Lyon
“Press hardening serves a very specific purpose: to prevent part deformation during the rapid cooling phase induced by quenching. This process improves the performance of steels by giving them a martensitic structure without the need for reworking. Designed for high volume production of parts with complex geometries, press hardening is both highly effective and economical….
This process was initially developed for automotive manufacturers, to process large series of parts with complex geometries. In fact, this method is perfectly suited to the processing of large numbers of parts on a production line: since the cooling cycle is automatically programmed, it can be repeated ad infinitum. What’s more, the circulation of quenching fluid around the part held in the press results in uniform, controlled cooling that can easily be reproduced many times over.”
An electricity-based process gas heater for the hydrogen-based direct reduction process developed by HYBRIT (Hydrogen Breakthrough Ironmaking Technology)
Source: Kanthal
“Launched in 2016 as a joint venture owned by SSAB, LKAB, and Vattenfall, with support from the Swedish Energy Agency, HYBRIT aims to create the world’s first fossil-free, ore-based steel with renewable electricity and green hydrogen.
This involves shifting from coal-powered blast furnaces that use coal as a reduction medium to a direct reduction process using hydrogen produced via renewable energy. The first HYBRIT pilot plant in Luleå, Sweden, began operations in 2020, with commercial-scale production targeted by 2027.
Kanthal is proud to have contributed to HYBRIT’s groundbreaking journey by developing an electricity-based process gas heater for the hydrogen-based direct reduction process under the name Prothal®. This project showcased the feasibility of fossil-free industrial heating solutions and laid the groundwork for scaling up these technologies to meet the steel industry’s future needs.”
Largest Green Hydrogen Production Facility Underway
From left: Andrea Prevedello, Global Director Project Management of Green Hydrogen, at ANDRITZ; Walther Hartl, Project Manager of Electrolysis, at ANDRITZ; Sami Pelkonen, Executive Vice President of Green Hydrogen, at ANDRITZ; Gerd Baresch, Managing Director of the Technical Division, SZFG; Thorsten Hinrichs, Head of Pipeline Infrastructure, SZFG
Source: Andritz Group
“On February 12, 2025, the cornerstone was laid for one of the largest production plants for green hydrogen in the whole of Europe.
[Beginning in] 2026, the plant will generate around 9,000 tons of green hydrogen a year to be used for the production of carbon-reduced steel. This will mark the start of the industrial use of hydrogen in SALCOS®-Salzgitter low CO2 steelmaking. SALCOS® is aiming for virtually carbon-free steel production. The 100 MW electrolysis plant will be supplied on an EPC basis by the international technology company ANDRITZ, using the pressurized alkaline electrolysis technology of HydrogenPro.”
A new annealing and isolating line has been supplied to thyssenkrupp Steel for the production of high-grade NGO (non-grain-oriented electrical steel strip). This strip processing line comprises a precise heat treatment in which the structure of the cold-rolled strip is recrystallized during the annealing process, followed by the application of an insulating layer to ensure optimal electrical properties. This is particularly important for the materials used in motors and generators installed in electric vehicles.
The new processing line, supplied by the project partner, SMS Group, has an annual capacity of 200,000 tons and is designed to process electrical steel strip in widths of up is now in operation. SMS technology enables the production of electrical sheet for energy-efficient applications, for example electromobility. The technological core of the line is the combined heat treatment and coating process.
With this line, the modernization of thyssenkrupp‘s Bochum location is nearly complete, allowing the steel producer to better serve its clients in the automotive, energy, and other manufacturing sectors. The new plant will allow the manufacture of up to 0.2 mm thin electrical sheet with particularly homogeneous mechanical and magnetic properties, specially designed to meet the requirements of highly efficient motors used primarily in electric vehicles. The finishing line is scheduled to go on stream in 2026.
“This facility not only represents a huge step forward in our production capacities,” said Dr. Harald Espenhahn from thyssenkrupp Steel Europe, “it enables us to manufacture high-quality NGO steels that allow our customers to meet the changing demands of the market and to develop products with increased energy efficiency.”
3D model of the new annealing and insulating line for the production of non-grain-oriented (NGO) steel at thyssenkrupp Steel Europe’s Bochum site
Main image: The team from thyssenkrupp Steel Europe and SMS Group preparing to start up the pioneering plant technology for the manufacture of high-grade electrical sheet / L to R: Engin Karakurt, Chairman of the Works Council of thyssenkrupp Steel in Bochum; Dr. Harald Espenhahn, Head of Technology and Environmental Management, thyssenkrupp Steel; Andy Rohe, Head of Downstream Operations, thyssenkrupp Steel; Thomas Eiskirch, Mayor of Bochum; Dr. Marie Jaroni, Chief Transformation Officer at thyssenkrupp Steel; Markus Kovac, Head of the Bochum Plant Area, thyssenkrupp Steel
Press releases are available in their original form here and here.
