Baosteel Zhanjiang Iron and Steel has brought a new two-strand ultra-thick slab caster into operation at its Zhanjiang facility in Guangdong Province. Supplied by Primetals Technologies, Caster No. 5 is engineered to produce slabs up to 2,700 millimeters wide and 460 millimeters thick, setting new benchmarks in size capability.
The bow-type continuous caster incorporates Single Roll DynaGap segments with a load capacity of 5,000 kilonewtons per roll, enabling substantial thickness reduction during casting while maintaining high internal slab quality. The installation has an annual production capacity of 3.5 million tons and will supply steel for offshore structures, wind energy projects, shipbuilding and other heavy-duty applications.
A newly developed software solution optimizes roll geometry during the design phase to minimize mold-level fluctuations, reducing instability by 50 percent and enabling higher casting speeds. Primetals delivered a comprehensive package covering engineering, mechanical and electrical systems, automation, and digital technologies.
The project further strengthens the long-standing collaboration between Baosteel Zhanjiang and Primetals Technologies, which has now supplied five slab casters to the plant. Primetals Technologies is a global engineering and plant-building company serving the metals industry.
Headquartered in London, the company provides comprehensive technology, equipment, and lifecycle services covering the entire iron and steel production chain—from raw material processing to finished products. It is a group company of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and operates with a strong international presence supported by thousands of employees worldwide.
The company specializes in the design and supply of advanced metallurgical plants, including continuous casting systems, rolling mills, electric arc furnaces, and automation solutions. A key differentiator for Primetals Technologies is its integration of digitalization and automation into metals production. Its Level 1 and Level 2 automation systems, process optimization software, and data-driven solutions help manufacturers improve efficiency, product quality, and operational reliability.
Primetals Technologies also focuses on sustainable steelmaking by developing technologies that reduce energy consumption, emissions, and environmental impact. Solutions supporting hydrogen-based steel production and circular economy practices are part of its innovation roadmap. Through long-term partnerships with leading steel producers worldwide, the company continues to modernize production facilities and deliver high-performance, cost-effective solutions tailored to evolving industry demands.
