KG Steel Co has awarded Primetals Technologies a contract to modernize its pickling line tandem cold mill (PLTCM) at the company’s Dangjin facility in the Republic of Korea. The 18-month project will involve a comprehensive upgrade of the mill’s automation and process control systems.
The modernization is aimed at improving production flexibility, product quality and operational reliability at the Dangjin plant. The upgraded facility will enable KG Steel to expand its range of cold-rolled products, including galvanized steel, tin plate and pre-coated metal products marketed under its “XTONE” brand.
As part of the project, the existing basic automation system will be replaced with the SIMATIC S7-1500 platform. The new system is designed to provide reliable performance and long-term availability of spare parts. Primetals Technologies will also install a new process automation system supported by advanced artificial intelligence technologies and physical models. The system will help improve control of key parameters such as strip thickness and flatness, supporting more consistent production and quality across a wider range of products.
The project will also include a redesigned human-machine interface (HMI), giving operators improved process information and clearer guidance during mill operations. All servers will be virtualized to improve system resilience, simplify maintenance and reduce recovery time in the event of disruptions.
An advanced pickling model and other process optimization measures will further support stable operations and consistent product quality. The upgraded automation architecture will also provide a platform for future digital solutions, allowing KG Steel to introduce additional technologies without extensive modifications to the system.
A key feature of the project is the use of a “shadow mode and switch-over” approach to minimize disruption during commissioning. Under this arrangement, the new automation system will be connected to the mill while the existing system remains operational. This will allow Primetals Technologies’ commissioning team to collect production data and gain insights into system configurations before the planned shutdown.
Following the modernization, KG Steel expects improved equipment availability, reduced downtime and higher productivity. Faster rolling processes in the entry section of the mill are also expected to support greater production efficiency. The project will strengthen the Dangjin facility’s ability to meet changing market requirements while providing KG Steel with a modern automation platform designed for long-term operation.
KG Steel Co is a South Korean steel producer manufacturing cold-rolled and galvanized steel, tin plate products and XTONE pre-coated steel. The company serves customers across a range of industrial applications and continues to develop its product portfolio to meet evolving market requirements. Primetals Technologies provides engineering, equipment and modernization solutions for the metals industry, supporting steel producers in improving production efficiency, quality and operational performance.
