The facility was originally supplied and commissioned by Danieli in 2003.
The new order further strengthened the cooperation between the two companies following the Meltshop No. 2 investment supplied by Danieli and commissioned in March 2023. As part of the project, a new Vacuum Degassing Oxygen Blowing (VDOB) facility will be installed to expand the existing steelmaking capacity and support the production of advanced steel grades.
Upon completion of the modernization, the production capacity of the QSP complex will be increased from 1.175 million tons to 1.5 million tons annually. In addition, the facility will be able to produce a wider range of higher value-added products. The existing facility is already the first QSP line certified for the production of API X70 pipeline steel.
The VDOB unit included in the project will feature a Twin Tank / Twin Cover configuration equipped with mechanical vacuum pumps. The system will operate together with auxiliary facilities such as dust collection, slag handling, and water treatment systems. As part of the QSP modernization, the thin slab casting line will be upgraded with a new roller arrangement and advanced automation. Extensive improvements will also be carried out at the tunnel furnace, hot strip mill, and the associated water treatment plant.
The main drive systems of the hot strip mill will be upgraded with Danieli’s Q-Drive Cyclo technology while preserving the existing power components. This upgrade is expected to improve performance and reliability. The primary descaling system will also be enhanced, and a new high-pressure secondary descaling system operating at up to 380 bar will be installed.
On the automation side, the Level 1 and Level 2 systems will be completely renewed, and a Level 3 Manufacturing Execution System (MES) covering the entire Ain Sokhna facility will be introduced. This system will include advanced planning, quality control, and data analytics functions.
Additionally, the capacity of the existing hot skin-pass mill will also be increased.
Following the modernization, Ezz Flat Steel will be able to add products such as IF steels, ultra-low carbon steels, bake-hardening and press-hardening steels, dual-phase steels, and advanced high-strength steels (AHSS) to its portfolio.
The project is planned to be implemented in two phases. The VDOB facility is expected to be commissioned in May 2027, while all modernization works at the QSP complex are scheduled to be completed in May 2028.
With this investment, the company aims to utilize the full potential of QSP technology to increase production efficiency, improve metallurgical performance, and gain greater flexibility in the production of high-quality hot-rolled coils.
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