SMS group has been selected to supply two large-scale traveling grate pelletizing plants for Jinan Steel Group-Ganglu Iron and Steel Co. Ltd and Jinan Iron and Steel Group Co Ltd in Hebei, China. The two plants will be installed at the customers’ steel works and willhave annual production capacities of 2.4 million metric tons and 2.7 million metric tons, respectively. Commissioning of both facilities is scheduled for the end of 2027.
The projects will mark the first deployment of SMS group’s thermal cooling system in China. The technology is expected to support the plants’ operating performance while allowing the projects to be completed within an 11-month timeline. SMS Agglomeration will supply the core pelletizing technology and Pretium control system for both plants. Beijing Shougang International Engineering Technology Co. Ltd. (BSIET) will act as the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor.
The projects bring together pelletizing technology, EPC execution and digital control capabilities for large-scale iron ore processing. The traveling grate plants will provide Jinan Steel Group with additional pellet production capacity for its steelmaking operations.
“This first project win in China since SMS Agglomeration became part of SMS group is a strong proof point of the value we can deliver together — combining proven pelletizing technology, reliable execution, and digital capabilities to support efficient and more sustainable ironmaking,” said Attaul Ahmad, Vice President of Agglomeration at SMS group. Pelletizing converts fine iron ore concentrates into agglomerated pellets that can be used as feedstock in blast furnace ironmaking. The process enables the preparation of iron-bearing material with characteristics suited to downstream ironmaking operations.
Wu Liyun, Chairman of BSIET, said, “These two large-scale traveling grate pelletizing projects integrate a mature engineering technology system, full-chain EPC execution capabilities, and digital engineering implementation concepts, delivering efficient, reliable, and low-carbon pelletizing production platforms for our clients, and helping the blast furnace ironmaking process move toward a more sustainable new stage of development.”
The two plants will use SMS Agglomeration’s Pretium control system to manage and monitor plant operations. The digital control platform forms part of the technology package being supplied by SMS Agglomeration. The projects are part of the ongoing development of ironmaking infrastructure in China, where pelletizing capacity is required to support steel production and the use of processed iron ore feedstock.
SMS group said the combination of its pelletizing technology and BSIET’s EPC capabilities will allow the projects to progress through engineering, construction and commissioning within the planned schedule. With annual capacities of 2.4 million and 2.7 million metric tons, the two facilities will together provide 5.1 million metric tons of pellet production capacity once operational.
Commissioning is planned for the end of 2027. The projects also represent the first major project win in China for SMS Agglomeration since becoming part of SMS group, bringing its pelletizing technology and digital control capabilities into a new set of Chinese steelmaking projects.
