Vietnamese steel producer, Hoa Phat has successfully commenced operations at its upgraded QSP plant in Dung Quat.
The expansion project, conducted by Danieli, focused on enhancing the existing Danieli QSP – Quality Strip Production plant, which had been operational since 2020 and had already produced over 6 mln tons of steel.
The key elements of the second-phase expansion included the installation of an additional fifth finishing stand and a third downcoiler in the hot rolling mill area, as well as the addition of two segments to each of the thin-slab caster lines.
The results of the expansion were highly favorable right from the start. Within a few days of the re-start, the plant achieved a swift startup and reached a caster speed of 6 meters per minute for both 76-mm and 87-mm slab thicknesses, meeting the production requirements for a minimum contractual thickness of 1.2 mm.
The production capacity of the plant was increased from 3.5 mln to 3.9 mln tons per year, specifically for low- and medium-carbon steel grades belonging to the low carbon HSLA (high strength low alloy steel) and medium carbon HSLA families. In addition to meeting the phase 2 targets outlined in the contract, the plant also successfully produced weathering steel.
One of the most challenging aspects of the second phase was the installation of the additional F5 finishing stand. Danieli Construction managed to carry out this installation in a “shadow mode” without interrupting the ongoing operations of the plant. The shutdown period lasted only 27 days, and the plant resumed production ahead of the scheduled timeline.
To optimize the shape of the transfer bar and ensure stable and smooth thin-gauge rolling, a new crop shear was installed, which effectively improved the head and tail shape. The three downcoilers were fully automated, equipped with hydraulic entry-side guides, and capable of controlling high tension for a wide range of strip qualities.
