Angang Guangzhou Automotive Steel has successfully produced the first coil at its new hot-dip galvanizing line (CGL No. 2), supplied by SMS group, achieving the milestone 40 days ahead of schedule. The project marks the second continuous galvanizing line supplied by SMS group at the company’s Guangzhou facility.
The new line has an annual production capacity of 400,000 tons and is designed to manufacture exposed automotive-grade steel with high surface quality requirements. SMS group supplied the complete mechanical, furnace, process, electrical, and automation systems, in addition to providing erection and commissioning support.
Key equipment includes a Drever all-radiant tube annealing furnace, a Duma-Bandzink air-knife system for zinc coating control, and an inline skin-pass mill to improve strip shape and surface finish. The line is designed to ensure consistent surface quality throughout the cleaning, annealing, galvanizing, and recoiling processes.
The facility also incorporates SMS group’s X-Pact Lights-Out concept for highly automated operation, featuring an Integrated Operating Center (IOC), X-Pact Vision HMI, advanced sensors, and Level 1 and Level 2 automation systems. According to the company, the centralized control system has reduced operator requirements from nine to five while improving production efficiency and quality control.
In addition, the line utilizes AI-enabled visual inspection systems for automatic detection of coil defects, strip threading issues, and abnormal core pulling, enhancing production reliability and reducing manual inspection requirements.
SMS group said the automation systems were fully tested through its X-Pact Plug & Work integration program before delivery, helping to accelerate commissioning and support the early startup. The new line is expected to strengthen Angang’s ability to supply high-quality exposed automotive steel grades to the domestic market.
Angang Guangzhou Automotive Steel Co., Ltd. is a joint venture between Angang Steel, one of China’s leading state-owned steel producers, GAC Commercial Logistics, and TAGAL.
