Aperam, Belgium
“We were looking for a strong technical solution.” Danny Bielen, Project Manager, Aperam
Aperam is a global player in stainless, electrical and specialty steel, with operations in more than 40 countries. Its industrial network is concentrated in six main plants located in Brazil, Belgium and France, with a current capacity of 2.5 million tonnes of stainless and electrical steel.
Aperam is a leader in high value added niches, such as alloys and specialties. It has a highly integrated distribution, processing and services network and a unique capability to produce stainless and specialty steel from low cost biomass (charcoal).
Extending crane lifespan
Kalmar refurbishes and modernises an overhead crane for Aperam steel mill in Belgium.
The challenge
Aperam’s 40-year-old Paul Würth casting crane, used at its stainless steel plant in Genk, Belgium, needed to be refurbished and modernised.
“The trolley and the crane’s electrical system had reached the end of their technical lifetime. We were looking for a partner who could provide a detailed specification and the ability to demonstrate a strong technical solution. Additionally, Kalmar’s excellent project management skills were another important selection criterion, as the mill was scheduled to be out of service only for a few days,” says Danny Bielen, Project Manager, Aperam.
The solution
Kalmar has designed, constructed, delivered and erected all the materials for the project as per the standards and regulations for hoisting liquid steel. The project started in November 2014 with design engineering.
The project involved renewing the existing trolley and the lateral driving mechanism of the overhead crane, including new electrical installation, and will be a complete turnkey solution.
The results
The project has been completed in time and the crane was out of service only for
some days.
As a result of this upgrade project, the lifetime of the crane has significantly increased and the trolley is safer and easier to maintain.