Japanese stainless steel producer Nippon Yakin Kogyo has successfully rolled the first coil on its newly installed HZ-Mill from Primetals Technologies at its Kawasaki plant. This marks the first use of an HZ-Mill for stainless steel production.
The advanced split-housing 20-high mill offers significant advantages over conventional mills, including a large gap opening for easier strip threading and quick recovery from breakages. It also features a Double AS-U shape control system, enhancing rolling stability and productivity. The HZ-Mill replaces two monoblock cold rolling mills at the plant.
Primetals Technologies supplied the mill’s mechanical and electrical components and commissioned the project. A larger fume-exhaust system was also installed, improving workplace safety and cleanliness.
With the new mill, Nippon Yakin Kogyo can boost production while rolling highly functional stainless steel grades at reduced thicknesses. The mill produces coils as thin as 0.2 mm and up to 1,350 mm wide, at a maximum speed of 1,000 meters per minute. Nippon Yakin Kogyo specializes in high-performance materials, including nickel-alloyed flat products and corrosion- and heat-resistant stainless steel, primarily in austenitic grades.