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ThyssenKrupp Nirosta Plans for Expansion in Krefeld
01/12/2012 - ThyssenKrupp Nirosta has submitted a permit application for the relocation of the Düsseldorf-Benrath cold-rolling mill to Krefeld. The company expects to obtain the permit by summer 2012.
ThyssenKrupp Nirosta has submitted a permit application for the relocation of the Düsseldorf-Benrath cold-rolling mill to Krefeld. A step-by-step relocation of production from Benrath to Krefeld by 2016 is part of the company’s strategy to develop and optimize its sites in order to strengthen its international competitiveness.
The company expects to obtain the permit by summer 2012.
“The filing of the permit application is a major milestone in the implementation of this enormously important project for Nirosta,” said Dr. Ulrich Albrecht-Früh, Chief Operating Officer of ThyssenKrupp Nirosta. “The consolidation of our sites is essential to secure the viability of the entire Nirosta group and the long-term future of stainless steel production in Germany.”
The filing of the application was preceded by discussions with the Düsseldorf district authority, the North Rhine-Westphalia state agency for nature, environment and consumer protection, and the state ministry for climate protection, environment, agriculture, nature and consumer protection of North Rhine-Westphalia. An extensive environmental impact assessment was prepared, including measurements and forecasts of air quality in the vicinity of the plant.
Citizens of Krefeld will be able to study the project and the permit documents, likely in spring 2012. Preparatory measures include the demolition of a building complex in the southwest section of the site. Soil investigations revealed no contamination, so the demolition work commenced in November 2011 and is due for completion in summer 2012.
The NIFO (Nirosta Ferritic Optimization) project is focused on expanding production capacities for ferritic stainless steels. Demand for these nickel-free materials—e.g., for the manufacture of washing machine drums and water pipes, and for elevator construction—has risen significantly, according to ThyssenKrupp Nirosta. The combination of the two product lines in Krefeld is expected to reduce processing costs and allow faster and more flexible tuning of production to market requirements.
As part of the NIFO project, equipment will be extensively revamped and modernized. The measures include the relocation of a skinpass mill and annealing furnace from Benrath to Krefeld. In Krefeld, a new annealing/pickling line and cold rolling stand will be installed and an existing annealing/pickling line will be converted into a bright annealing line. Some outdated equipment will be shut down.
