Steel Mills

ArcelorMittal Dofasco Plans Upgrade for AHSS

April 26, 2018

ArcelorMittal Dofasco is undertaking a massive upgrade to its hot mill operations to improve quality and productivity. With help from a $23 million grant and loan from the province, ArcelorMittal is investing $151 million to develop advanced high-strength steels that are in demand by the auto industry.

The Canadian steelmaker will replace three aging coilers in the hot mill with two new ones and accompanying runout tables. In addition, the strip cooling system will be upgraded.

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Hamza Habbal, general manager of manufacturing technology at the mill, told the Hamilton Spectator, “The coilers we have now are 35 to 40 years old, so they are limited in their ability to efficiently coil the product.”

“The new coilers are a much more advanced design. They can operate with higher efficiency and without delays,” he said. “They give us tremendous advantages from a quality and yield perspective.”

The company has invested $2 billion in the facilities in the past five years for capital projects and annual maintenance, said Tony Valeri, ArcelorMittal Dofasco vice-president of corporate affairs. The modernization will reduce unplanned maintenance, while also improving the company’s energy efficiency and safety.

“Our customers continue to demand more from us in order to meet the demands of their customers and the market,” said Valeri.

The project is expected to be completed by 2020.