After the successful commissioning of a new ‘melt shop and caster’ supplied by SMS group in 2012 (pictured), El Marakby Steel — based in 6th of October City, Egypt — has awarded the same technology vendor an order for a new rolling mill capable of producing bar and wire rod.

The new mini mill will be designed for the manufacture of straight rebars and wire rod coils; it will enable El Marakby to expand its product portfolio and meet increased domestic demand.

The mill will be designed to produce 400,000 tonnes of product per year, taking advantage of a hot connection with the existing caster.

Starting with square 130mm billets, and heated to temperature by a 70 tonne per hour modern pusher furnace, the mill will be able to produce rebars from 10 to 32mm in diameter and wire rod coils from 5.5 to 12mm in diameter.

Commissioning of the new rolling mill is scheduled for December 2018.