Baosteel has successfully commissioned its new two-strand No. 6 slab caster at the Baoshan steelworks in Shanghai, delivered in partnership with Primetals Technologies. The successful startup represents another significant achievement in the long-standing collaboration between the two companies and strengthens Baosteel’s capability to manufacture both conventional and high-end steel slabs with enhanced quality and production efficiency.
Primetals Technologies supplied the caster’s complete mechanical equipment package along with comprehensive Level 1 and Level 2 automation systems. The company also provided construction, implementation, and commissioning services, ensuring the project progressed smoothly from engineering and installation through to startup. The seamless execution enabled the facility to begin operations on schedule while meeting demanding performance and quality targets.
The new caster incorporates advanced mechanical engineering concepts combined with sophisticated automation and digital technologies to support the production of a broad portfolio of steel grades. During the engineering phase, Primetals Technologies employed advanced simulation models to optimize roll geometry, reducing mold level fluctuations and enabling higher casting speeds without compromising product quality. These enhancements contribute to increased throughput while maintaining consistent operational stability.
To further improve slab quality, the caster integrates several intelligent process control systems. These include the Dynacs 3D dynamic secondary cooling system and the DynaGap 3D dynamic soft reduction system, which work together to optimize solidification conditions and improve the internal quality of slabs. The technologies help ensure that finished products meet the stringent requirements associated with premium steel applications.
The installation also features a range of proven production technologies designed to support stable, efficient operations. The Smart Mold cassette-type mold, equipped with the DynaWidth mold-width adjustment system, enables rapid and flexible changes between different slab dimensions. The Mold Expert system maintains stable casting conditions, while the Quality Expert platform continuously monitors production parameters and predicts quality performance throughout the casting process.
In addition, Eco-Star spiral rollers have been installed to extend the operating life of segment rolls while ensuring accurate implementation of dynamic soft reduction. The rollers also help maintain higher slab surface temperatures after the horizontal segment, reducing energy consumption during downstream hot rolling reheating and contributing to improved overall plant efficiency.
The successful startup further reinforces the decades-long partnership between Baosteel and Primetals Technologies. Together, the companies have completed more than 20 continuous casting projects, with recent installations and upgrades delivered for Baosteel facilities in Zhanjiang, Meishan, and Maanshan. The commissioning of the No. 6 caster reflects the continued confidence both organizations place in their shared engineering expertise, technological innovation, and project execution capabilities.
Baosteel is a subsidiary of China Baowu Steel Group Corporation, one of the world’s largest steel producers and a Fortune Global 500 enterprise. The company operates major production facilities across China, including plants in Shanghai, Wuhan, Meishan, and Zhanjiang, supplying high-quality steel products to customers in a wide range of industries worldwide.
