Continuous galvanizing line and color coating line, Steel Dynamics Sinton (USA)

On July 18, 2024, SMS group and Steel Dynamics (SDI) announced the successful start-up of two new production lines. The Continuous Galvanizing Line (CGL) and Color Coating Line (CCL) in Sinton, Texas, were commissioned to expand production capacities for coated steel strips to meet the growing demand.

Plant technology

The project includes a Continuous Galvanizing Line with an annual capacity of 278,000 tons, designed for producing galvanized steel sheets. This line utilizes advanced technologies such as the Drever horizontal furnace and the DUMA-BANDZINK air-knife system, enabling efficient production and the capability to create Al-Si coated steel. Additionally, the Color Coating Line (CCL) feature tailored solutions to produce coated cold-rolled and galvanized steel strip for various applications. Handling strip width of up to 1,830 mm at 183 m/min, it enables SDI to meet diverse customer needs while upholding stringent quality standards.

Proven X-Pact^® packages for basic and process automation 

SMS group's X-Pac^t® automation packages take an integrated and holistic approach in the realization of the four processing lines, allowing seamless interaction between all components. The modular Level 1 and Level 2 software architecture ensures stable real-time performance of the lines. Thanks to the enhanced diagnostics with faceplates and pop-ups, the system can respond to requests very quickly, ensuring advanced analysis of the production process, high availability, fast troubleshooting, and guaranteeing flawless production performance.

The success of the project is significantly marked by the very fast start-up of the lines, made possible by digital commissioning of the automation system during the X-Pact^® Plug & Work integration tests prior to its commissioning on-site.