SMS group has signed a contract with WISDRI Engineering & Research Incorporation and JISCO Carbon Steel to develop the world’s first reference plant combining Hot Strip Mill (HSM) and Compact Strip Production (CSP) modes at JISCO’s strip mill in Jiayuguan, China. The project aims to boost JISCO’s production capacity and expand its product range.
SMS will provide the automation system and technical services to optimize processes in the existing strip mill. Post-revamp, the mill will cover a full range of hot-rolled steel grades, including stainless steel, grain-oriented steel, pipeline steel (X80 and above), and ultra-deep-drawn steel. The revamp also aims to increase the thickness and width of hot-rolled strips.
The current two-strand CSP line, operational since May 2006, has a designed capacity of 2 mln tons per year. After the upgrade, the annual capacity will rise to 3.5 mln tons. Key milestones include the first coil in CSP mode (July 2025) and the first in HSM mode (December 2025), with final acceptance expected by January 2026.
SMS will provide its X-Pact automation system to control the mill, from roller tables to the coil transportation system, integrating both CSP and HSM modes. The system will also adapt the tunnel furnace’s swiveling car and entry roller tables for efficient slab transfer. The revamped mill will include multiple advanced components, improving the product range and increasing output while reducing production costs.
