Primetals Technologies to Upgrade Automation Systems at Xiangtan Iron and Steel Co., Ltd. Heavy Plate Mill!

Primetals Technologies has secured a contract from Xiangtan Iron and Steel Co., Ltd. to modernize automation systems at its heavy plate mill located in Xiangtan, Hunan Province, China. The project is aimed at improving process stability, plate flatness, thickness precision and overall production consistency through the deployment of advanced automation and process optimization technologies.

The modernization initiative will involve a comprehensive upgrade of both hardware and software components within the mill’s process automation infrastructure. As part of the project, Primetals Technologies will also implement its advanced Contour and Flatness Optimizer solution while introducing new automation controls for recently installed work roll bending systems.

According to Primetals Technologies, the upgraded automation architecture is expected to significantly strengthen process control capabilities, particularly during thin-gauge rolling operations where precision and consistency are critical. The improvements are also intended to enhance operational reliability, long-term equipment performance and overall production efficiency within the heavy plate manufacturing facility.

A key element of the project is the integration of Primetals Technologies’ Contour and Flatness Optimizer system, which uses real-time adaptive process control to continuously adjust rolling parameters during production. This technology enables the mill to maintain high levels of plate flatness, contour precision and thickness accuracy across a wide range of product grades and rolling conditions.

The advanced process optimization system is particularly important for steel producers manufacturing high-quality heavy plates used in industries such as shipbuilding, construction, energy, heavy engineering and infrastructure development, where dimensional accuracy and material consistency are essential.

The project also includes the implementation of automation controls for newly installed work roll bending systems. These controls are expected to improve shape-control flexibility during rolling operations, especially for thin-gauge steel plates where maintaining uniform quality can be technically challenging. Enhanced roll bending control allows operators to optimize plate geometry more effectively while minimizing defects and process variations.

Primetals Technologies stated that replacing older automation systems will help eliminate operational risks associated with obsolete equipment and limited spare-part availability. The modernization is also expected to simplify maintenance activities, improve system reliability and reduce downtime, contributing to more stable long-term plant operations.

The latest project further strengthens the long-standing partnership between Xiangtan Iron and Steel and Primetals Technologies. The two companies have collaborated on multiple modernization initiatives in recent years focused on improving production efficiency, automation capability and product quality across Xiangtan’s heavy plate manufacturing operations.

A recently completed upgrade of the company’s Multi Purpose Interrupted Cooling (MULPIC) line also contributed to strengthening the technical relationship between the organizations. These modernization efforts reflect the growing importance of advanced automation and intelligent process control technologies in modern steel manufacturing.

Founded in 1958, Xiangtan Iron and Steel is one of the core enterprises of the Hunan Valin Group and operates one of the world’s largest wide and heavy plate production facilities. The company has an annual production capacity of approximately five million tonnes of wide and heavy steel plates, while its overall steelmaking operations can produce nearly 12 million tonnes annually across the complete manufacturing chain from ironmaking to rolling operations.

As global steel producers increasingly focus on quality optimization, production efficiency and digitalized manufacturing systems, investments in automation modernization are becoming critical for maintaining competitiveness and meeting stricter product performance standards.

The Xiangtan heavy plate mill modernization project highlights the ongoing transformation of the steel industry toward intelligent manufacturing, real-time process control and advanced automation technologies designed to improve productivity, operational stability and product quality across complex steel production environments.