Primetals Technologies has secured an order from a Chinese steel producer to supply automation systems and medium- and low-voltage drives for a new six-stand pickling line and tandem cold mill (PLTCM). The project marks the first PLTCM application for Primetals Technologies’ new EnerX medium-voltage converter family and represents a further expansion of the company’s collaboration with Chinese industrial automation provider Inovance.
The new high-speed PLTCM is being developed to deliver digitally driven, highly automated and precision-controlled steel production. Startup of the facility is planned for May 2027. The project is designed to support stable rolling at high reduction rates while enabling the production of high-quality thin-gauge steel products.
Primetals Technologies will provide complete Level 1 basic automation and Level 2 process automation systems for the line, together with EnerX medium-voltage drives and low-voltage auxiliary drives. The process optimization system will incorporate self-learning algorithms based on neural networks to support stable and continuous production. These digital capabilities are expected to help operators maintain consistent rolling conditions and optimize production performance.
The PLTCM will feature advanced solutions for strip thickness and flatness control, enabling precise regulation of critical rolling parameters. Accurate speed and tension control will support tight thickness and flatness tolerances while contributing to high surface quality and consistent product output.
The project also marks an important step in the collaboration between Primetals Technologies and Inovance in the field of drives and automation for the metals industry. The EnerX medium-voltage drives will be combined with Primetals Technologies’ extensive process expertise in cold rolling to create an integrated drive and automation solution tailored to the requirements of modern steel mills.
EnerX technology has already demonstrated its capabilities in cold-rolling applications. The drives were previously implemented at Jingjiang Yongjin Metal Technology’s reversing cold mill in Jingjiang City, Jiangsu Province. Primetals Technologies received the final acceptance certificate for that project in late 2025, providing a proven reference for the latest PLTCM application.
The integrated solution is expected to help the Chinese steel producer improve operational stability, productivity and product quality. By combining advanced automation, digital process optimization and high-performance drives, the project will enable more accurate control of the rolling process and support the production of steel with demanding dimensional and surface-quality requirements.
The collaboration between Primetals Technologies and Inovance reflects their shared focus on developing integrated technologies for the evolving requirements of the metals industry. Building on successful applications in reversing cold mills, the partnership is now extending to PLTCM projects covering both medium- and low-voltage drive systems.
Going forward, the two companies intend to deepen their cooperation by developing increasingly integrated and efficient automation and drive solutions for steel producers. Their combined capabilities are expected to support manufacturers in improving productivity, advancing digitalization and strengthening the efficiency and sustainability of their operations.
