A Step Forward in Quality and Flexibility in the Production of High-Strength Steels

FIMIGroup is pleased to announce the important upgrade of the Levelling line at SSAB Swedish Steel in Ghedi (Brescia), which will have a significant impact on the range and quality of the products offered. This intervention, which will be completed by next autumn, will enable SSAB to level and cut high-strength steel coils to the lengths desired by customers, thereby improving the quality of the plates and expanding the range of available steels.

The intervention includes expanding production capacity, with the ability to process steels with a yield strength of up to 1,350 MPa, a significant increase from the current 700 MPa. This new capability, which will allow processing of steels up to a thickness of 6.5 mm, will meet the demands of customers needing higher-quality plates, including Hardox and Strenx steels, as well as the entire range of carbon steels already present in SSAB’s current catalog, such as SSAB Laser, SSAB Domex and SSAB Boron, up to a width of 2,050 mm.

A Strategic Project for Greater Flexibility and Efficiency

With the upgrade of the line, SSAB will be able to reduce lead times and increase flexibility, allowing flattened sheets to be shipped directly in customized lengths, thus optimizing the supply chain. This investment is the result of a collaboration between SSAB Europe and SSAB Special Steels and represents an important step in the ongoing commitment to providing customers with even more efficient and timely service.

FIMIGroup: A Long-Term Partner of SSAB in Production Modernization

FIMIGroup, which has been collaborating with SSAB for over 45 years in Sweden and Italy, played a crucial role in this technological upgrade. Sergio Sacchi, technical director at FIMI, highlights the immediate benefits that customers at the Ghedi service center will experience: “Thanks to the introduction of three new brushing machines connected to a filtration system, the scale produced by the straightening and leveling machines will be effectively removed, improving the working environment, protecting the machinery, and reducing environmental pollution. Additionally, with more effective internal stress reduction, the sheets will remain flatter even after laser cutting, a unique feature of SSAB Laser steels.”

Innovations Supporting Safety and Maintenance

The upgrade also introduces removable roller cassettes, which will significantly improve maintenance. Julia Seeber, Managing Director of SSAB Swedish Steel, emphasized the importance of this innovation: “With the new cassettes, roller replacement will be much quicker and more efficient, reducing intervention times from at least one day to just 60 minutes. This not only contributes to greater worker safety but also enhances overall productivity.”

Thanks to the joint efforts of SSAB Europe and SSAB Special Steels, the levelling line upgrade marks a significant step in the evolution of SSAB’s production capabilities, improving the availability and delivery times of products for Ghedi customers.