SMS group has further advanced its ambition to become one of the leading suppliers of fully integrated, end-to-end solutions supporting the steel industry’s transition to low-emission iron and steel production through this strategic acquisition.
The acquisition enables SMS group to develop customized solutions adaptable to different site conditions, ore qualities, energy profiles, and varying regulatory regimes, thereby accelerating the steel industry’s transition toward its decarbonization targets.
Upstream processes expanded through agglomeration technologies
With the integration of technologies acquired from Metso, SMS group has incorporated agglomeration technologies for traveling grate pelletizing, sintering, and CFB (Circulating Fluidized Bed) calcination into its portfolio. This move expands the company’s upstream process offering while further strengthening its position in sustainable metallurgy and direct reduction technologies.
Iron ore agglomeration plays a critical role not only in conventional ironmaking but also in the production of feedstock for shaft furnace-based direct reduction processes. In this context, SMS group offers end-to-end solutions ranging from raw material processing to final product systems, enabling customers to manage the entire process through a single technology supplier.
These comprehensive solutions include high-efficiency agglomeration technologies supported by flexible feed management, advanced heat recovery systems, state-of-the-art combustion technologies, and robust automation platforms.
“We are developing scalable solutions to accelerate decarbonization”
Commenting on the strategic importance of the acquisition, Thomas Hansmann, CTO of SMS group, stated:
“As a driving force in decarbonization, SMS and our new team members from Metso are bringing together research, process expertise, and service capabilities. We are accelerating scalable, cost-efficient, and sustainable processes for iron and steel production. The collaborative spirit of our experts will enable targeted and competitive innovation.”
New hydrogen-based green iron production process
As part of its green iron initiatives, SMS group is developing a hydrogen-based, innovative direct reduction process using Metso’s Circored™ technology. In this approach, the fluidized-bed reduction method applied in Circored™ is combined with SMS group’s well-established Open Bath Furnace (OBF) technology.
The resulting two-stage reduction process differs significantly from conventional direct reduction plants. While traditional facilities require high-quality pellets with high iron content and strict physical specifications, the Circored™–OBF process can also process iron ore fines with lower iron concentrations. This reduces the need for complex and energy-intensive pre-treatment, offering greater raw material flexibility and cost advantages.
Comprehensive service portfolio and global service network
In addition to integrating new technologies, SMS group and the newly added Metso teams provide a comprehensive service portfolio covering traveling grate and straight grate pelletizing, sintering, alumina calcination, and primary metallurgy.
Customers benefit from SMS group’s long-standing expertise in field services, maintenance, repairs, and plant modernization, while the company’s extensive global service network ensures rapid response times, optimized plant availability, and lifecycle support across the entire operating life of industrial facilities.
Through this acquisition, SMS group further strengthens its position as a key technology partner, offering integrated technologies, processes, and services under one roof to support the sustainable transformation of the iron and steel industry.
Comments
No comment yet.