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Metso will supply an extensive electrification and automation delivery to Outokumpu’s new ferrochrome plant in Tornio, Finland. The equipment will be installed in several phases during 2011 and 2012. The test runs in the new plants will start in late 2012.
Outokumpu will invest over EUR 440 million to double its present annual ferrochrome production capacity to about 530,000 tons once the extension is finalized in 2013. Metso’s delivery targets the new melting plant, the new sintering plant and the water plant as well as for the raw material dosage and the coke station. The value of the order is not disclosed. The order is included in Energy and Environmental Technology’s Q1/2011 orders received.
“Metso’s automation system provides our plant with a uniform, integrated operation system, making changing tasks and taking over from a colleague easy thanks to a common operator interface. Additionally, we will get uniform process reporting and management. From the maintenance point of view, having one automation system is a benefit, too,” says Antti Hemminki, who is in charge of electrification in Outokumpu’s F3 project.
Outokumpu’s ferrochrome plant is part of the Tornio steel plant, which is the world’s most integrated stainless steel production unit with all parts of the production chain located close to each other. In the ferrochrome facility some production plants already use Metso’s automation systems. Also, the Tornion Voima power plant located in the vicinity has Metso’s automation.
Outokumpu Group is one of the world’s leading producers of stainless steel. It has about 7,500 employees in over 30 countries. The head office is located in Espoo, Finland. www.outokumpu.com
