London, July 19, 2016

Primetals Technologies to modernize drive technology in aluminum cold rolling mill for Alunorf

• New technology offers high availability for key plant

Primetals Technologies has received an order from Aluminium Norf GmbH (Alunorf), Neuss, to modernize the drive technology of its KW5 tandem cold rolling mill. The scope of supply includes the power units, digital closed-loop drive controls for all main drives and the interface to the automation. Primetals Technologies will also handle the entire installation and commissioning. The project is scheduled for completion in January 2017.

In the course of the project, coilers and uncoilers will be equipped with Sinamics DC Master converters, stands 1 and 2 will receive Sinamics SL 150 cycloconverters. The modernization of the drive technology will bring the plant up to the state-of-the-art. This will ensure high availability of the KW5, which is a key plant in the production chain at Alunorf. The new systems will replace obsolete, third-party hardware.

A key reason for winning this order was the successful cooperation between Alunorf and Primetals Technologies on several previous projects, including the modernization of the two hot rolling mills and cold rolling mill KW4.

Aluminium Norf GmbH was founded in 1965. It is a joint venture between Novelis Deutschland GmbH and Hydro Aluminium Rolled Products GmbH and it operates the world's largest aluminum smelting plant and rolling mill in Neuss. The company employs around 2,100 people and sells around 1.5 million metric tons of hot and cold-rolled aluminum strip per annum.

Sinamics SL 150 cycloconverter (photo: Siemens AG)

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 joint venture of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and partners, with around 7,000 employees worldwide. To learn more about Primetals Technologies, visit the company website www.primetals.com.