December 02, 2008

Latvian Liepajas Metalurgs orders Siemens for EAF based plant

A consortium led by Siemens has been awarded a contract by Latvian steel producer Liepajas Metalurgs to build an integrated electric steel plant. The value of the contract has not been disclosed. The plant is scheduled to be started up in steps during the year 2010.

The project includes a major modernization of the scrap based steelmaking process and the construction of an entirely new rolling mill. The new plant is designed for an annual production of 810,000 tonnes of steel billets and 400,000 tonnes of steel bars and profiles.

For steelmaking, Siemens will install an electric arc furnace with a tapping weight of 100 tonnes and secondary steelmaking facilities, including a 100 tonne ladle furnace and an alloying system, as well as a dedusting plant. A billet welding line and coiling technology will enable continuous rolling to be carried out. In order to optimize the overall process, Siemens will also adjust the billet caster supplied in 2006 to the changed production conditions. The project scope of the consortium also includes the expansion of the electric power supply, the supply and modernization of crane systems, the installation of water treatment systems and the construction of the required buildings.

The new plant facilities will allow Liepajas Metalurgs's steel capacity to be increased from 540,000 tonnes to 810,000 tonnes per year and will replace the existing steel production route based on the use of the only open hearth furnaces still in operation in Europe. The new long product rolling mill will produce high quality steel profiles and twist free wound steel bars.