As stated in a press release by Kametstal, the metallurgical plant has completed the overhaul of ladle furnace No. 1 in the converter shop, and the unit has already returned to work. The system is operating again in the production cycle alternating with unit No. 2. For the enterprise, this means increased stability in the steelmaking process, and for the market, better predictability of steel and billet output.
Repair Highlights and Their Impact on Steel Quality
The ladle furnace is a key link in the final steel refining process before casting on continuous casting machines. It is at this stage that the chemical composition and temperature of the metal are adjusted, directly affecting the characteristics of the finished products. The primary task of the repair was to replace the unit's water-cooled roof, which protects the steel from secondary oxidation during heating and inert gas purging.
According to the company, specialists restored the assembly by replacing worn elements, while the final works were performed by the converter shop services. This involved equipment installation, hydraulic cylinder setup, centering, and connecting energy sources. Afterward, the unit underwent hot trials, confirming its readiness for industrial operation.
Separately, the plant replaced 960 filter elements in the gas cleaning system, partially restored metal structures, and audited the electrical equipment. The program also included maintenance of the 35 kV furnace transformer and repairs to hydraulic system electric drives, water treatment, and the bulk material feeding line. To improve electrical network safety, a new vacuum circuit breaker was installed.
Market Impact and Solutions from winox.ua
For the Ukrainian metal market, such repairs are of practical importance as they reduce the risk of emergency shutdowns and unplanned downtime at core production sites. Stable operation of units in the steelmaking stage supports rhythmic output and improves supply predictability for processors and industrial consumers. Under high loads on key equipment, this also affects the quality consistency of billets and subsequent rolled metal products.
For winox.ua customers, this news demonstrates the overall reliability of metallurgical supply chains. The company works with certified rolled metal and carefully selects manufacturers to offer the market products that meet modern requirements for quality and performance stability. This approach is particularly important for machinery, construction, energy, and other industries where consistency of metal parameters and timely shipment are critical.
The completion of the overhaul at Kametstal also aligns with the previously announced 2026 primary production equipment renewal program. The first major step in this program was the overhaul of converter No. 2. Sequential updates of such units indicate the enterprise's focus on production continuity, industrial safety, and maintaining the competitiveness of the Ukrainian metallurgy sector.