Japanese stainless steel manufacturer Nippon Yakin Kogyo has successfully produced the first coil on its new HZ mill supplied by Primetals Technologies. This reversing cold rolling mill, installed at the company’s Kawasaki plant, is the first HZ mill to be used for stainless steel production. Primetals Technologies was responsible for the design, delivery of key mechanical and electrical components, as well as commissioning.
The advanced 20-high split housing mill from Primetals Technologies offers several advantages over conventional 20-high mills. Thanks to its large roll gap design, it allows for easy threading and smooth restart after strip breaks. The mill also features a double AS-U shape control system that ensures a stable rolling process and improved productivity. At the Kawasaki plant, the new HZ mill replaces two monoblock cold rolling mills.
Cleaner Processes and Higher Performance
Additionally, Primetals Technologies has installed a larger exhaust system that contributes to a cleaner and safer working environment. With the HZ mill, Nippon Yakin Kogyo can increase production and reduce the thickness of high-performance stainless steel grades used in various demanding applications. The mill produces coils with thicknesses down to 0.2 millimeters and widths up to 1,350 millimeters at a maximum rolling speed of 1,000 meters per minute.
Longstanding Partnership with Primetals Technologies
Nippon Yakin Kogyo is a leading manufacturer of high-performance materials, including flat products made of nickel alloys as well as corrosion- and heat-resistant materials. The company’s product portfolio primarily consists of stainless steel sheets, especially austenitic grades. Over the years, Primetals Technologies and Nippon Yakin Kogyo have collaborated on several major projects, including the supply of a Steckel mill, a hot reversing mill, and a skin-pass mill.
