Jindal United Steel Limited Engages Primetals Technologies for Hot-Strip Mill Modernization

• Modernization aimed at increasing production capacity and enhancing product quality
• Scope includes installation of a new coil box, cooling bed, heavy plate shear, and upgraded work roll cooling system
• Completion targeted by end of 2026

Jindal United Steel Limited (JUSL), a part of Jindal Stainless, has awarded Primetals Technologies a contract for the comprehensive upgrade of its hot-strip mill, which produces both plates and coils, at the Jajpur facility in Odisha, India. The project, scheduled for completion by December 2026, is intended to enhance both production capacity and product quality for plate manufacturing.

As part of the upgrade, Primetals Technologies will extend the mill’s heavy plate processing area by modernizing cooling bed No. 1, installing a new heavy plate shear with a hydraulic pump station, and adding cooling bed No. 2. The scope also includes a new coil box, an upgraded work roll cooling system across all seven finishing mill stands, and a new automation system for the cooling beds. Additionally, the upgrade will incorporate a Level 1 automation system as well as Level 2 automation system adaptations, advanced measurement equipment, and a human-machine interface (HMI) system for heavy plate handling.

Enhancing Plate Production

To accommodate increased productivity and prevent bottlenecks, the mill’s plate production area will be expanded. The installation of a heavy-plate shear, designed to reduce cutting times, along with the new cooling bed, will support higher output. The new coil box is designed to handle evolving market requirements, including a wider range of steel grades and products.

Optimizing Product Quality

The modernization will also focus on improving strip quality. The work roll cooling system in the finishing mill will be upgraded to ensure better distribution of cooling water while maintaining current consumption levels. This enhancement is expected to improve surface quality of the rolled materials.

JUSL manufactures a range of hot-rolled and cold-rolled stainless steel products, including austenitic, ferritic, and martensitic grades, serving industries such as pipelines, nuclear energy, and automotive manufacturing. The hot-strip mill, originally supplied by Primetals Technologies in 2012, produces plates up to 1,650 millimeters in width and thicknesses ranging from 11 to 80 millimeters, as well as strip up to 1,650 millimeters in width and thicknesses from 1.5 to 12.7 millimeters.