ABB has secured a contract to deliver its electromagnetic stirring technology, Flow Control Mold Generation 3 (FC Mold G3), for a new thick slab caster at ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India’s (AM/NS India) steelmaking facility in Hazira, Gujarat. AM/NS India — a partnership between ArcelorMittal and Nippon Steel — is in the process of expanding production capacity at the Hazira plant from 9 million tons per year to 15 million tons.
The new technology will be part of a two-strand slab caster supplied by Danieli. ABB will provide two FC Mold G3 coil units, which are designed to control molten steel flow inside the mold during the continuous casting process. This system helps manage the behavior of the steel near the surface, reducing defects and improving the final quality of slabs.
Unlike traditional methods, the FC Mold G3 uses three magnetic fields from a single fixed unit to stir the molten steel and slow down turbulence at the same time. It also helps reduce downward flow, allowing gas bubbles to rise to the surface rather than becoming trapped inside the solidifying steel.
“The FC Mold G3 is a proven system for improving product quality and reducing waste,” said Zaeim Mehraban, Global Head of Sales for Metallurgy at ABB. “By controlling flow conditions near the surface of the steel, manufacturers can see fewer surface flaws, less internal cracking, and better overall results.”
ABB’s electromagnetic stirring technology has been used in over 40 slab casting installations around the world. Plants using FC Mold have reported up to 50% fewer surface and internal defects and as much as an 80% drop in rejected material. In many cases, users have seen a full return on investment in under 12 months.
ABB is a global engineering company focused on automation and electrification. With operations in over 100 countries and a workforce of around 110,000 people, ABB develops technologies that help industries operate more efficiently and sustainably. The company’s Process Automation division specializes in systems for sectors including energy, water, manufacturing, and shipping.
