SMS group to Modernize SAIL Durgapur Steel Plant’s Billet Casters
04/01/2026 - SMS group announced it has been contracted to modernize SAIL’s Durgarpur Steel Plant’s (DSP) 6 m billet casters in Durgapur, India.
The companies said the upgrades will enhance the long product casting capabilities and increase annual production capacities by over 60%. It will also add a new 150 x 150 mm billet section to the bar mill.
“This project demonstrates how targeted modernization with the latest SMS technologies can deliver substantial capacity and efficiency gains with limited additional civil investments and compressed execution timelines,” said Bernhard Steenken, chief strategy officer, APAV and MEA at SMS group.
SMS group said it will deliver core casting technology, process automation and on-site technical support while working with its global delivery network. Other equipment and technology will include a butterfly-type ladle turret, CONDRIVE mold oscillation drive, close casting facilities, CONSTIR mold stirrers, rigid-type dummy bar, level 2 automation and other safety systems.
The casting machines were originally supplied by SMS group in the 1990s. SMS group said it will work on the project during ongoing operations and complete commissioning of each continuous casting plant within the five-month planned shutdown period while the plant remains operational.
The companies said the project will be completed in two phases. Billet caster no. 1 will be completed in the fourth quarter of 2027 while billet caster no. 2 will be completed in the third quarter of 2028.
“This project demonstrates how targeted modernization with the latest SMS technologies can deliver substantial capacity and efficiency gains with limited additional civil investments and compressed execution timelines,” said Bernhard Steenken, chief strategy officer, APAV and MEA at SMS group.
SMS group said it will deliver core casting technology, process automation and on-site technical support while working with its global delivery network. Other equipment and technology will include a butterfly-type ladle turret, CONDRIVE mold oscillation drive, close casting facilities, CONSTIR mold stirrers, rigid-type dummy bar, level 2 automation and other safety systems.
The casting machines were originally supplied by SMS group in the 1990s. SMS group said it will work on the project during ongoing operations and complete commissioning of each continuous casting plant within the five-month planned shutdown period while the plant remains operational.
The companies said the project will be completed in two phases. Billet caster no. 1 will be completed in the fourth quarter of 2027 while billet caster no. 2 will be completed in the third quarter of 2028.
