The three-strand continuous billet caster modernized by Primetals Technologies was started-up at the Bolzano production site of Italian steel producer Acciaierie Valbruna S.p.A. The plant is now able to produce stainless steel and special alloy billets with larger cross-sections up to 180 millimeters. The machine radius of the plant also was increased from seven to nine meters, setting the stage for producing even larger cross-sections after further modernization at a later date. Primetals Technologies upgraded the continuous caster in 2015 to increase its availability. Modernization work on the caster was carried out during a planned shutdown in September 2016.
Acciaierie Valbruna is the manufacturer and supplier of stainless steel and special metal alloys. The Bolzano production site specializes in stainless steel and special alloy rods with round and hexagonal cross-sections.
Primetals Technologies supplied the three-strand continuous billet caster to Acciaierie Valbruna’s Bolzano plant in 1992. It is designed as a bow-type caster with a machine radius of seven meters, and has an annual production capacity of 200,000 metric tons. The runout area was completely reviewed with the installation of a new vertical hydraulic shear (800 tons capacity).
