Henan Jiyuan Iron & Steel to modernize billet caster

China's Henan Jiyuan Iron and Steel (Group) Co., Ltd has awarded SMS Concast a contract to modernize its eight-strand continuous caster (CCM#2) at the Jiyuan No. 2 plant.

The upgrade aims to boost product quality, flexibility, and productivity, lifting billet output capacity to over 1 mln tons per year. The revamped caster, with a 10-meter radius and eight strands, will produce billets in 150mm, 160mm, and 180mm square sections, with more than 90pct of production focused on high-carbon and automotive-grade steels.

The modernization will introduce Dynamic Mechanical Soft Reduction (DMSR) technology to precisely control billet core quality, along with CONFLOW stopper flow control, CONDRIVE oscillation, and air-mist spray cooling systems. A new Level 2 quality control system will enable detailed billet tracking and quality monitoring.

Commissioning of the upgraded caster is scheduled for June 2026.