The second stage of strategic modernization in Sosnowiec has been completed. The first batch of this semi-finished product, which is used to create bolts or fence nets, was produced at the beginning of November on the modernized line. Industrial tests of finished products are ongoing. The investment that improved the quality of the products offer and the plant's efficiency cost PLN 120 million.
Wire rod is a popular product that is used to produce not only screws, fence nets, but also shopping carts, springs in mattresses or metal shelves for refrigerators. Even the seat frames in prams are made of wire rod, which is why the modernization of the production line was necessary to improve this product. The first stage of investment in the former steel mill Cedler in Sosnowiec began in October 2018 and lasted five weeks. At that time, all equipment was replaced or rebuilt: laying heads, water boxes, motors and rolling mill drives. A new control system has also been implemented. In the autumn of this year, the modernization of rolling stands with drives and wiring, began. Twelve rolling stands were replaced, six for each rolling strand, which replaced six previously operating.
-Thanks to the installation of new rolling stands, the quality of rolled products will be improved and the bottlenecks will be eliminated. Production capacity will also increase, thanks to the increase in rolling speed to 360km / h - notes Rafał Płazak, support manager at the Sosnowiec plant, responsible for the modernization of the wire rod rolling mill. - It's really impressive speed - a cheetah, the fastest animal on earth moves almost three times slower.
At ArcelorMittal Poland safety is a priority, so with this investment the entire wire rod rolling mill, together with all new devices, has been integrated into one modern system ensuring safe work performance. The entire line has been redesigned among others the so-called "security gates", i.e. barriers that prevent approaching the device when it is in motion.
- Thanks to the comprehensive modernization of the rolling line, the quality of the offered wire rod, i.e. the semi-finished product, from which many everyday products are made, will improve. The modernization will also increase the reliability and production capacity of the plant to 800 thousand tons per year, it will also create the possibility of further expansion to the markets of the most demanding customers, including automotive industry - says Janusz Kantor, plant director.
- We have invested in this installation because we are aware of the importance of continuous improvement of our products and adapting them to growing customers' expectations and market competition. Wire rod is a product that is widely used and the demand for it is not weakening - sums up Bogdan Mikołajczyk, board member and managing director of the Long Products and Logistics Department.
