ABB has secured a contract with Al Ezz Dekheila Steel Co (EZDK) to upgrade the operations of three main water treatment plants at the Ezz Steel facility in Alexandria, Egypt. This fully integrated steel production site includes three direct reduction plants, which produce high-quality Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) with an annual capacity of 3.1 million tons. EZDK, Egypt’s leading steel importer and distributor, is also the largest independent steel producer in the Middle East and North Africa since its establishment in 1985.
ABB will provide its ABB Ability™ System 800xA® distributed control system (DCS) to enhance operations across eight key areas, including the central water treatment plants and associated auxiliary equipment. This system will streamline process control and monitoring, ensuring more consistent performance and better integration across the facility. By supporting both existing and new infrastructure, it will facilitate a more unified approach to plant operations.
In contrast to traditional steelmaking methods, EZDK uses natural gas in its DRI production, making it a lower-emission alternative. Effective water management is critical for the cooling and treatment processes that boost productivity and product quality, particularly in the thermo-mechanical treatment (TMT) of reinforcement bars essential for modern infrastructure. ABB’s System 800xA will support EZDK’s mission to enhance efficiency and maintain environmental responsibility in its steel production.
“The efficiency and reliability of ABB’s System 800xA are vital for our operations,” said Ahmed Farrag, Utilities Electrical Maintenance Manager at Al Ezz Dekheila Steel Co. “This integration will ensure that cooling water is supplied with the required quality and availability for effective steel production.”
Shady Rafaat, Metals and Steel Segment Account Manager at ABB North Africa, added, “Our expertise and high-quality engineering enable us to deliver state-of-the-art automation solutions to EZDK’s steel plant. The System 800xA will ensure the continuation of world-class operations at the Ezz Steel plant.”
ABB will oversee the supply, engineering, commissioning, and startup of its System 800xA at the water treatment plants. The system will integrate utilities into three control hubs, centralizing monitoring and management while ensuring the functionality of existing systems. This platform will improve operator decision-making through advanced visualization tools, enhancing response times during critical steelmaking processes.
Designed for flexibility and scalability, the system allows for phased upgrades and future expansion with minimal disruption. The upgraded system is expected to enhance the plant’s capacity to produce 3.1 million tons of high-quality steel annually, improving process reliability, optimizing resource use, and supporting more sustainable production. This project continues ABB’s successful collaboration with EZDK, following the completion of a full modernization at EZDK’s wire rod manufacturing facility in Alexandria in 2020.
ABB is a global leader in electrification and automation, committed to building a sustainable and resource-efficient future. With over 140 years of experience, ABB’s expertise in digitalization and engineering helps industries improve performance while becoming more efficient and sustainable. ABB’s shares are listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange and Nasdaq Stockholm.
