- Primetals Technologies to modernize the MULPIC cooling system at Xiangtan Iron and Steel’s 5-meter wide plate mill
- Upgrade to boost cooling performance and throughput for new higher-value alloys and thicker plates
- Implementation scheduled to begin in the second quarter of 2026
Xiangtan Iron and Steel, China’s leading producer of heavy plates for challenging, intensive applications, has once again contracted Primetals Technologies to revamp its Multi‑Purpose Interrupted Cooling (MULPIC) line. The upgrade will deliver improved cooling performance required for new, higher‑value alloys and enable greater throughput from Xiangtan’s existing plate mill infrastructure in Hunan province, China.
Response to Rising Global Demand
Xiangtan specializes in producing wide and heavy plates for demanding applications such as shipbuilding, pipelines, and new energies including wind turbines, hydropower, and hydrogen. By partnering with Primetals Technologies, Xiangtan will be able to quickly meet rising global demand in these sectors thanks to an upgrade executed on the existing production line. With a very short timeline, the project is scheduled to commence in the second quarter of 2026, with work continuing throughout mid-2026.
Enhanced Cooling Performance
The upgrade is designed to enhance flatness and mechanical properties for plates up to 350 millimeters thick. MULPIC’s uniform temperature control along the entire plate length and width is key to achieving these targets. Primetals Technologies’ scope of supply includes the design, supply, and commissioning of a new‑generation spray system, alongside an extensive Level 1 and Level 2 automation overhaul to ensure state‑of‑the‑art process control. Together, these measures will yield excellent cooling performance from an established 15‑year‑old structure, ultimately enabling Xiangtan to deliver higher‑value products to its customers.
About Xiangtan Iron and Steel
Xiangtan Iron and Steel is part of the wider Hunan Valin Group. Founded in 1958 and located in Xiangtan, Hunan Province, China, the company has an annual capacity of approximately 12 million tons of steel, spanning the entire process from ironmaking to steelmaking and rolling. According to domestic rankings, Xiangtan operates the world’s largest production base for wide and heavy plates and is ranked first with 5 million tons annually. Primetals Technologies has a proven track record of MULPIC upgrades and shares a long‑established partnership with Xiangtan Iron and Steel, including the original supply of the 5-meter-wide plate mill.
Exterior view of the Xiangtan Iron and Steel plant.
Primetals Technologies, Limited, headquartered in London, United Kingdom, is a pioneer and world leader in the fields of engineering, plant building, and the provision of lifecycle services for the metals industry. The company offers a complete technology, product, and services portfolio that includes integrated electrics and automation, digitalization, and environmental solutions. This covers every step of the iron and steel production chain—from the raw materials to the finished product—and includes the latest rolling solutions for the nonferrous metals sector. Primetals Technologies is a Group Company of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, with around 7,000 employees worldwide. To learn more about Primetals Technologies, visit the company website www.primetals.com.
