Tata Steel (
www.tatasteel.com) has invested more than £14 million in its hot strip mill at Port Talbot and can now manufacture more higher-value steels.
A transfer bar cooling system has been installed that will increase the annual capacity of the site by around 5% and ensure that steel can be quickly brought to the exact temperature required before it is rolled.
This upgrade is part of a series of investments in Tata Steel’s European sites to allow the development and production of the high-performing steels demanded by customers.
It will help meet the need for next-generation steels for hybrid and electric cars, as well as for energy-efficient homes and buildings, plus innovative food packaging.
Last November, Tata Steel announced around £30 million of investments at Port Talbot, including the replacement of a basic oxygen steel-making vessel weighing 500 tonnes.
At the same time, the company is replacing the large cranes in the steel plant, as well as installing enhanced dust extraction hoods and energy-efficient drives to minimise emissions.
It has now installed a transfer bar cooling system to increase the volume capacity of the hot strip mill by more than 150,000 tonnes per annum.
Jon Ferriman, Tata Steel’s director of strip products UK, said: “This investment has created a stronger, more-efficient and more-reliable platform from which we can meet the needs of our customers.
“We took the opportunity of a planned maintenance shut-down to upgrade several plant areas to further improve the production of high-value steels and their delivery to customers.”
Port Talbot produces high-quality steel that is processed at Tata Steel’s steel mills around the UK for customers in Britain, mainland Europe and around the world.