Shandong Zhongxin orders coupled pickling line and tandem cold mill

Chinese steel producer Shandong Zhongxin has ordered a coupled pickling line and tandem cold mill (PLTCM) from Primetals for its plant located in Lin Yi, Shandong province.

The new line will enable Shandong Zhongxin to accelerate the development and production of high-quality, high-value-added products, expanding into the home appliances and automotive steel markets in eastern China – the country’s largest steel-producing region. Startup is scheduled for early 2027.
Primetals will supply the complete PLTCM line, including mechanical and electrical design, site services, equipment supply, and complete Level 1 and 2 automation systems with comprehensive digitalization solutions. According to the company, the pickling line will feature the energy-saving and highly efficient iBox pickling system, which increases capacity without the circulation pumps required in conventional jet pickling tanks. The line will also include a 5-stand, 6-high Universal Crown-Control Mill (UCM), ensuring high productivity, enhanced strip flatness, and precise gauge control.
Digital solutions will boost productivity and reliability across the PLTCM line. AI-driven process optimization and sophisticated automation systems will improve strip flatness and thickness control. The Central Operation Cockpit (COC) and computer-vision-based digital assistants will allow a single operator to oversee multiple plant sections, reducing manual intervention and improving operational efficiency, Primetals said.
The Through-Process Quality Control (TPQC) system will collect and store all quality-related data for long-term analysis and continuous improvement. In addition, the Asset Life Expert (ALEX) condition monitoring system from Primetals Technologies will support safe, efficient plant operations and help maximize productivity.
Source: Primetals Technologies