According to German manufacturer SMS Group, Chinese steel manufacturer Xiangtan Iron & Steel (Group) Co., Ltd. entered into a contract with the company to supply new four-strand castor for flowering SMS Concast for its existing converter shop in Xiangtan. Commissioning of the new bloom caster is scheduled for the end of December 2026.
The plant manufacturer said the new casting machine will allow Xiangtan Iron & Steel to produce ultra-high quality flowers in two section sizes with maximum dimensions of 450mm × 530mm and 395mm × 410mm. The equipment will include advanced and customized technological features designed to meet stringent product quality and performance requirements.
The project is of strategic importance to both parties, according to SMS Group. For Xiangtan Iron & Steel, the investment will expand its capabilities in the production of high-quality specialty non-ferrous bars (SBQ), targeting growing demand from the automotive industry, green energy sector and other high-performance end markets.
Meanwhile, the plant manufacturer stressed that the project strengthens its position in technically challenging color foundry applications. SMS Group noted that with this order it has achieved the largest bloom size among its global references currently in force, including giant rounds or blooms cast on both curved and vertical rollers.
SMS Group added that both parties will continue to work closely together throughout the design.
