The FINANCIAL -- Siemens VAI Metals Technologies received an order from the Mexican steel producer Altos Hornos de Mexico, S.A.B. de C.V. (AHMSA) to modernize the LD converter in the Monclova steel works.

The contract includes the engineering and delivery of key components and will be completed in the spring of 2013.

According to Siemens AG, for the new LD converter at Altos Hornos de Mexico in Monclova in the Mexican state of Coahuila, Siemens is carrying out the engineering and delivery for key components such as the furnace vessel, the trunnion ring and the maintenance-free Simetal Vaicon Compact Link suspension. The compact dimensions of the suspension allow maximization of the vessel volume – and thus the converter capacity – with respect to the space available. The tapping weight of the converter is 60 tons. Siemens is also responsible for the installation and startup supervision.

In the past several years, Siemens has received a series of orders from AHMSA, including a contract in 2007 for the expansion of the metallurgical plant and heavy plate rolling mill, in 2009 for the delivery of hot-rolling-mill equipment with new basic and process automation, and in 2010 for the delivery of the third LD converter. Converter No.2 started operation in March 2007 and converter No.3 started operation by the end of 2011.

Altos Hornos de Mexico, S.A.B. de C.V. is the largest integrated steel works in Mexico. The company headquarters is located in Monclova in the Mexican state of Coahuila. AHMSA produces roughly 3.5 million tons of crude steel annually and, in conjunction with subsidiaries, employs a total of 19,000 staff members. The company primarily produces flat rolled steel, including hot- and cold-rolled coils, heavy plates, tin-coated and tin-free sheets, and a variety of heavy and light sections.

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