Primetals Technologies has secured a five-year cost-per-ton maintenance contract with Outokumpu Stainless USA, a leading stainless steel manufacturer. Under this agreement, Primetals will oversee the repair and maintenance of Outokumpu’s single-strand continuous casting machine in Calvert, Alabama.
This contract represents a shift from previous maintenance practices, allowing Primetals to leverage its expertise with the original equipment and implement future process improvements. The company aims to enhance the performance and longevity of the continuous caster, which it supplied to Outokumpu in 2012, by incorporating the latest advancements in mold coating and roll overlay technologies.
Maintenance operations will move to a nearby 40,000-square-foot facility operated by Primetals, streamlining processes and freeing up space in Outokumpu’s meltshop for other production activities. The transition will not disrupt production at Outokumpu’s Calvert facility.
This contract, along with a recent agreement from ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel (AM/NS) Calvert, strengthens Primetals Technologies’ service offerings in the United States. The contract covers a comprehensive range of maintenance activities, ensuring optimal equipment performance and longevity, including servicing molds, oscillators, and caster rolls, as well as managing spare parts.
Primetals will utilize its innovative Hiper Coat technology to enhance mold copper longevity and apply proprietary overlay technology to improve caster roll performance. Additionally, the contract includes bi-annual strand alignment, labor for core equipment maintenance, and operational expert support.
Customers can access remote assistance through Primetals’ advanced operations-management platform, Through-Process Optimization, and the m.space e-services platform for ordering spare parts and accessing training. The Maintenance and Asset Technology (MAT) platform offers tools for real-time tracking and predictive maintenance scheduling to optimize asset lifespan and productivity.
Outokumpu, the global leader in sustainable stainless steel, operates the most advanced stainless-steel mill in Calvert, Alabama, producing products made from 95pct recycled materials and contributing to the circular economy. It is the second-largest producer of sustainable stainless steel in the U.S.
