Primetals Technologies to Revamp CSP Mill at WISCO in China
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM. Wuhan Iron and Steel Co., Ltd. (WISCO), one of the major steel producers in China and part of Baowu Iron & Steel Group, the largest steelmaker in the world, has awarded Primetals Technology the order for the complete restructuring of its CSP casting and rolling line. The line will be converted into a state-of-the-art, 4.2-million-ton-per-year conventional hot-strip mill (HSM).
Started up in 2008, the original plant was conceived as a first-generation thin-slab casting and rolling line with vertical casters, tunnel furnaces, and a 7-stand finishing mill.
Second CSP Plant Converted by Primetals Technologies
To overcome the inherent limitations in productivity and product mix of this concept, WISCO decided to convert it into a conventional hot-strip mill, making use of selected existing equipment. As the principal technological partner, Primetals Technologies will tackle this challenging task within a 21-month timeframe.
This is the second CSP plant that Primetals Technologies has converted into a conventional HSM, following a very similar project successfully completed in 2025 at the thyssenkrupp Steel Bruckhausen site in Duisburg, Germany.
The new WISCO HSM will be fed by new conventional casters producing 230-millimeter slabs and reheated by two new walking beam (WB) furnaces. The new HSM will feature a brand-new, high-capacity single-stand reversing roughing mill with super heavy rolling force and two sets of heavy Edgers, providing the heavy edging reduction needed to match the new product mix requirements. New crop shear and descaling units will be installed between the roughing and finishing mill.
The finishing mill, laminar cooling section, and downcoiler will be upgraded to support the expanded product range and high-end product quality requirements.
Targets Top-Notch Products
The target product mix is focused on top-notch products including AHSS, high carbon, micro alloyed steels for pipe applications and Silicon steels. The plant productivity is targeted at 4.2 Mtpy, almost doubling the capacity of the existing plant.
Primetals Technologies will be responsible for engineering the main new equipment for the mill line and supplying key technological components. On the automation side, Primetals Technologies will supply the complete Level 1 and Level 2 architecture for the full line, featuring advanced process control models to optimize productivity and quality.
The comprehensive automation solution includes the Ski Expert ski detection, a system that allows for higher productivity, the Wedge and Camber Expert for detection and correction of strip geometry deviation, and the condition monitoring system “Asset Life Expert” (ALEX), which will support high availability of the HSM.
The project represents one of the most significant steps in upgrading outdated mills in China, enabling steel producers to meet new quality and productivity targets in a highly competitive steel market. This collaboration is not only an important measure for WISCO to improve its hot-strip rolling line layout and enhance its high-end manufacturing capabilities, but also a significant milestone for both parties as they move toward a new stage of high-quality development, continuously promoting China’s high-end steel manufacturing to a higher level.
