Baosteel Group’s Ningo Baoxin Stainless Steel Co., Ningbo, China, recently started production of its stainless steel coil annealing and pickling line (APL2). This line is part of the second stage of the Ningbo Project, which began in 1996. ABB supplied an Industrial IT solution for the APL2, which comprises the electrical equipment for the whole annealing and pickling line. Supply included low-voltage switchgears, AC motors, drives, rectifiers, automation systems and instrumentation as well as the complete engineering, commissioning and assembly supervision. The processing line will be used for the end treatment of plate after rolling, and has a production capacity of about 180,000 tonnes per year. Characteristics are similar to the previous plant âNingbo 1â? (combined cold/hot APL) also supplied by ABB. Less than 45 days passed from the time ABB started its Rolling Mill Control system until the first coil came out. It has been the fastest start up of a greenfield project of this size and quantum.
