Wuhan Iron & Steel Co. (WISCO), a subsidiary of China Baowu Steel Group, has signed the Final Acceptance Certificate (FAC) with SMS group for the successful modernization of its No. 2 hot strip mill in Wuhan, China.
The 2,250 mm mill, originally supplied by SMS in 2003 and with an annual capacity of 4.8 mln tons, has undergone a series of upgrades under a long-term partnership to improve efficiency, stability, and product quality.
The latest modernization focused on automation and profile control. SMS replaced and upgraded the X-Pact Profile, Contour and Flatness Control (PCFC) system, which optimizes rolling mill actuators to stabilize production and improve strip geometry. The upgrade was completed in shadow mode within four weeks and met performance guarantees. New CVC blocks were also installed in finishing stands F1-F7, enabling more precise control of roll bending and shifting for tighter product tolerances.
These enhancements follow earlier modernization phases between 2013 and 2024, including downcoiler revamps, bending and shifting upgrades, descaling equipment, and process control improvements. Together, the upgrades ensure HSM No. 2 remains state-of-the-art and capable of producing a wide range of high-quality steel grades.
