Outokumpu continues modernization work with SMS Group

Outokumpu Nirosta, as part of the modernization of its SG 3 cold rolling mill in Krefeld, Germany, has placed another order with the world renowned machine and complete plant manufacturer, SMS Group. The refurbishment will also cover the existing lubrication system.

The Outokumpu Group is one of the world's leading manufacturers of high quality stainless steels. Cold rolling mill "SG 3" was built by SMS group more than 45 years ago. It is used to produce high quality stainless steel strip. In September 2014, Outokumpu Nirosta already placed an order with SMS Group for the modernization of rolling equipment, which will now enable the company to roll thinner ferrite grades of the highest quality.

In March 2015, the SMS Group received a follow-up order from Outokumpu Nirosta covering the modernization of rolling and oil filtration lubrication equipment to produce high-gloss steel grades. Some of the equipment will be retained and continues to be used now. The main newly installed equipment includes a tank with automatic pre-separation and a filter of the ultra-fine SUPAFINE system developed by SMS. In the future, vertical pumps will be able to transfer rolling oil free of contamination from the rolling process, as it will be ideally cleaned with a SUPAFINE oil tank filter. The refined oil will be fed to the cleaning tank and reused in the rolling mill.

The mixture of lubricant and abrasive obtained by backwashing from SUPAFINE filters will undergo a second filtration step and thus the recovered oil will be returned to the rolling system. The used SUPAFINE filter elements allow achieving an extremely high degree of filtration without requiring any auxiliary consumables and disposal costs.

Customers around the world are convinced of the performance and cost-effectiveness of the SUPAFINE SMS Group filtration system, as evidenced by the fact that 210 SUPAFINE filter units have already been installed worldwide. At the request of Outokumpu Nirosta, SMS will complete the entire mill mechanical and lubrication system work under a very tight deadline during this year, ensuring that Outokumpu Nirosta can start production before the end of the year.