Speciality plate maker Germany’s Dillinger is rigorously pursuing its strategic path toward achieving the climate targets set in Europe. To advance the development strategy in this market and strengthen the company’s position, the Dillinger Supervisory Board has approved the Board of Management’s EUR 56.5 million investment proposal to expand production of super heavy plate at Dillinger at Dillingen as well as production of wind tower foundations, known as monopiles, at the Dillinger subsidiary Steelwind Nordenham.

Dillinger is already a leader in the production of these high-tech heavy plates, but customer demand is far exceeding current capacities: by processing 600-millimeter-thick slabs from the CC6 continuous caster, heavy plates with a unit weight of up to 42 tons can be rolled. To develop this competitive edge and further exploit the possibilities of the world’s largest continuous casting plant in Dillingen, pusher furnace 2 in Dillinger’s rolling mill is now being renovated and reinforced in order to bring the 600-millimeter-thick slabs up to the required temperatures for plate rolling. The investments in pusher furnace 2 will significantly increase capacity for the production of heavy plate. This will allow the monopile design to be optimized, which will provide significant efficiency benefits for Dillinger’s customers.

The investments at Steelwind Nordenham will also considerably increase production capacities and productivity: By expanding the storage areas and optimizing the shell ring construction in order to produce a larger number of monopile segments at a higher unit weight, the company is preparing for the growing demand for ever larger and heavier monopiles in XXL format and for the increased logistical requirements of customers.

The growing demand for energy from wind power is reflected in larger and heavier offshore foundation structures, with diameters of more than 10 meters and weighing over 2,400 tonnes, to support more efficient turbines. These dimensions require the use of especially heavy plates with individual weights of more than 35 tonnes. These plates enable monopiles to be produced with fewer welds and thus boost productivity during manufacture.

Dillinger and its subsidiary Steelwind Nordenham are thus creating the conditions to continue offering their partners the best possible high-tech plates and XXL monopiles for highly advanced applications in offshore wind power, even under constantly growing demands. Both companies are thus making a major contribution toward tapping the enormous potential of offshore wind energy, without which it will be impossible to achieve the climate targets and the energy transition.

Dillinger Board Approves Investments for Super Heavy Plates

Strategic Research Institute

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