RH-TOP plant in operationJSW Steel Ltd, one of India’s foremost integrated steel producers, has issued the Final Acceptance Certificate (FAC) to Germany’s
SMS group for the commissioning of a second 350-tonne RH-TOP (Ruhrstahl Heraeus) unit at its Dolvi steelmaking facility in Maharashtra. This follows the installation of the first RH-TOP unit in 2023, marking another step in JSW’s strategic expansion of its secondary metallurgy capabilities.
The RH process, a vacuum-based secondary refining method, plays a critical role in decarburising and degassing liquid steel. With the addition of this second unit, JSW Steel significantly boosts its capacity to produce high-purity steels tailored for demanding sectors such as automotive, construction, and electrical applications. The RH technology is designed to reduce hydrogen, nitrogen, and other impurities, resulting in cleaner steel with enhanced mechanical properties.
Subrata Dasgupta, senior vice president at JSW Steel, said: “The RH technology at Dolvi significantly enhances the steel plant's capabilities and aligns perfectly with our goals to improve quality, maximise operational efficiency and expand market reach. SMS group’s RH technology is well thought-out with regard to process efficiency, and the RH degassing process is essential for enhancing the mechanical properties of our products. By producing higher quality steel, we can strengthen our competitive position in both domestic and international markets.”
Optimising operationThe newly commissioned RH plant incorporates several advanced features aimed at optimising operations and improving reliability. A multi-function TOP-Lance allows for direct vessel pre-heating at the treatment station, heating during vacuum treatment, and skull burning post-treatment — extending vessel life and reducing downtime. Notably, this RH unit is the first in India to include a dedicated ferro-silicon (FeSi) bunker at the vacuum lock, enabling the production of non-oriented and grain-oriented electrical steel grades.
Pictured right: TOP-Lance of the RH plant at JSW Dolvi Works steelmaking shop 2 in Maharashtra, IndiaMechanical innovations include a revised ladle rocker design capable of lifting ladles containing up to 350 tonnes of liquid steel, with a total weight exceeding 500 tonnes. A counterweight fail-safe mechanism ensures continued operation even during power outages or hydraulic system failures, enhancing functional safety and reducing maintenance requirements.
Matthias Oesterwind, senior project manager at SMS group, said: “This project marks another milestone in the longstanding and successful relationship between JSW Steel and SMS group, who are also working together on several other projects at Dolvi Works. We value JSW Steel’s trust in our technologies and the close cooperation between our teams. We are proud to have completed another secondary metallurgy project that delivers clear benefits to our customer.”
The partnership between JSW Steel and SMS group continues to evolve, with several major projects underway at the Dolvi site. These include the installation of one of India’s largest basic oxygen furnace (BOF) converters, a twin ladle furnace, and a primary gas cleaning plant. SMS group is also supplying a new blast furnace and the cutting-edge CSP Nexus system for thin slab casting and rolling. The CSP Nexus at Dolvi will be the third of its kind globally and is expected to be the most productive and powerful unit in the world, with commissioning scheduled for 2026.