Nucor and Primetals Technologies have successfully produced the first prime coil on a new continuous galvanising line (CGL) at Nucor’s sheet steel mill in Berkeley County, South Carolina, the USA. The achievement marks the successful completion of the line’s commissioning phase and represents a major milestone in Nucor’s strategy to expand its production of value-added steel products for the automotive market.
This milestone marks the successful completion of the commissioning phase and the start of production operations
Primetals Technologies, in partnership with CLECIM SAS, was responsible for the engineering and supply of the galvanising line, including a vertical furnace with galvanneal capability, advanced automation systems, and key process technologies designed to enable the production of sophisticated automotive steel grades.
“Production of the first prime coil is the result of an outstanding collaboration between Nucor, Primetals Technologies, CLECIM and numerous project partners,” said Ron Devoe, head of downstream business for Primetals Technologies USA. “This milestone positions Nucor to serve growing demand for advanced automotive steel products.”
With an annual production capacity of approximately 500,000 tons, the new galvanising line is among the most advanced facilities of its kind in North America. The line is designed to produce exposed automotive-quality steel as well as advanced high-strength steels (AHSS) used in structural and safety-critical vehicle components. The line is capable of producing galvanised, galvanneal and zinc-aluminum-magnesium coated products, providing Nucor with increased flexibility to meet the evolving requirements of the US market.
The new equipment supports Nucor’s strategy to increase production of higher-margin, value-added steel products while strengthening its position as a supplier to automotive manufacturers throughout the region.
Key process technologies include Primetals Technologies’ proprietary Rapid Cooling system and a Transverse Flux Induction Heating (TFIH) system. Together, these technologies provide the precise heating and cooling rates required to achieve the metallurgical properties demanded by modern automotive applications.
The line’s vertical furnace consists of a radiant tube section and a direct-fired section that incorporates Primetals Technologies’ proprietary MID burner technology. This installation marks the first US application of this in-house combustion system.
Throughout project execution, Primetals Technologies leveraged expertise from across its global organisation and partner network. Teams from the United States, Japan, India, and consortium partner Clecim contributed specialised knowledge in engineering, furnace technology, metallurgical process development, equipment supply, installation and commissioning.
Primetals Technologies’ service workshop in Berkeley County played a particularly important role by supporting looper roll installation, furnace roll alignment and fabrication of essential installation components.