Chinese steelmaker Shanxi Jingang New Materials Technology has contracted Primetals Technologies to supply a new thin-slab casting and rolling plant using Arvedi ESP (Endless Strip Production) technology at its Jincheng facility in Shanxi province. The project includes a full electrics package, Level 1 and 2 automation, and advanced digitalization tools.
The plant will have an annual capacity of 2.6 mln tons, operating fully in endless mode to produce strip gauges from 0.7 to 12.7 mm. It will focus on advanced grades such as electrical steels (GO and NGO), deep-drawing steels, and hot-forming grades. Primetals expects the first coil within 18 months.
The line will feature an innovative configuration with four high-reduction, and five finishing mill stands, making it the 14th ESP line worldwide and the 10th in China. Key technologies include a split-core electromagnetic brake, advanced caster roll design, vertical edger, in-line SEN exchange, and patented roll-change systems, all designed to improve quality, flexibility, and campaign length.
Digital solutions will support predictive maintenance and real-time quality control, including ALEX condition monitoring, TPQC quality insights, and the ESP Scheduler for optimized production.
Arvedi ESP is recognized as the only certified carbon-neutral thin-slab casting and rolling process, offering zero CO2 emissions with renewable energy and the highest energy efficiency for eHRC production.
Primetals will also collaborate with partner RINA to develop high-performance grades such as silicon-rich electrical steels and ultra-low-carbon steel (DC04), targeting applications in automotive and appliances.
