Marcegaglia has awarded Fives a contract to modernize the annealing and pickling line (APL) at its Gazoldo degli Ippoliti stainless steel plant in Italy, as part of its strategy to further automate production and improve operational efficiency.
The project includes the deployment of Fives’ Virtuo-L digital solution, which will optimize thermal process control, improve temperature transitions and reduce fuel consumption. The system will also enable data collection to support continuous process optimization.
The upgraded line will enhance the processing of both hot rolled and cold rolled stainless steel across a wider range of steel grades and strip dimensions.
The new order builds on the long-standing cooperation between the two companies. At Marcegaglia’s Ravenna carbon steel plant, Fives has already supplied its SmartLine automatic control system for four galvanizing lines, while deployment of the Eyeron digital platform across the pickling, cold rolling and galvanizing lines is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.
Marcegaglia is a leading global steel processor and one of the largest independent players in the steel industry, headquartered in Italy and controlled by the Marcegaglia family. Founded in 1959, the group operates 36 production facilities across four continents and a network of around 60 sales offices. The company processes approximately 6.5 mln tons of steel annually, with core activities spanning carbon steel flat products and tubes, stainless steel products and heavy plates. It entered primary steel production in 2023 with the acquisition of a UK-based electric arc furnace plant and is further expanding capacity through its Fos-sur-Mer project in France.