- New meltshop with LD converters and two 2-strand casters installed at JVML, Karnataka
- JSW places order for two 8 mnt/year pelletising plants for Paradeep facility in Odisha
Global steel plant equipment and technology supplier Primetals Technologies affiliated to Mitsubishi Heavy Industries has deepened its long-term technology and project partnership with JSW Steel through two major parallel engagements in India: the successful commissioning of a new steelmaking complex at JSW Vijayanagar Metallic Limited’s (JVML’s) Toranagallu plant in Karnataka and a new order to supply two large pelletising plants at JSW Steel’s Paradeep facility in Odisha.
Across both projects, Primetals Technologies is delivering comprehensive plant design, process equipment, automation solutions, and advisory services.
New meltshop and CCs in Karnataka
Primetals Technologies has successfully started up a new meltshop and two continuous casters at JVML’s facility in Toranagallu. The scope of supply included two 350-t LD (BOF) converters, primary dedusting systems, two 350-t ladle furnaces, secondary dedusting for the entire meltshop, and two 2-strand continuous casters, along with comprehensive Level 1 and Level 2 automation for the converters, ladle furnaces, and casters.
New benchmark for steelmaking
The first converter, commissioned in December 2024, achieved an exceptionally fast ramp-up, reaching more than 20 heats per day by the end of the commissioning month. It completed 220 heats in the first three weeks and over 400 heats within the first month of operation. The initial lining campaign reached more than 6,000 heats, setting a new benchmark in steelmaking. Primetals Technologies has received the final acceptance certificate (FAC) for the first converter, ladle furnace No. 1, and caster No. 1.
The second converter, commissioned in August 2025, achieved an even faster ramp-up, reaching more than 20 heats per day by the sixth day after commissioning. Primetals Technologies has also received the FAC for the second converter, ladle furnace No. 2, and caster No. 2.
First 350 t primary dry dedusting system in India
This project marks Primetals Technologies’ first installation in India of 350 t converters equipped with an advanced primary dry dedusting system. The system includes a steam-type heat recovery system, a dry electrostatic precipitator (ESP), and low-consumption axial-type ID fans, helping to improve energy efficiency, reduce water consumption, and meet environmental regulations. A gas cleaning plant with a gas recovery system, which significantly increases energy recovery, completes the dedusting solution.
For the LD converter, Primetals Technologies supplied converter top lances, tilting drives, the Vaicon Stopper slag retention system, valve stands, and a material handling system. Vaicon Stopper minimises slag carryover during tapping, allowing for shorter production cycles and improved steel quality. The vessel shell is equipped with top-cone water cooling and supported by the Vaicon Lamella suspension system inside an air-cooled trunnion ring, helping to extend equipment life.
Advanced automation solution
The automation scope includes the BOF Optimizer process optimisation system, which improves hit rates for carbon content and steel temperature, reduces re-blow rates, and increases efficiency. The tailor-made Lomas off-gas analysis system works with BOF Optimizer to enable automatic blow-end control and improve carbon hit rates. For the ladle furnaces, the fully automated Melt Expert electrode control system boosts productivity and reduces energy consumption.
Casting wide variety of steel grades
The two continuous slab casters, each with two strands, produce slabs with widths ranging from 900 to 1,650 mm and thicknesses of 220 or 260 mm. They handle steel grades ranging from ultra-low-carbon to high-carbon, including deep-drawing, structural, peritectic, and HSLA grades, as well as microalloyed and low-alloy steels, strip grades, and high-silicon electrical steel.
Pelletising plants in Odisha
JSW Steel has placed an order for two 8 mnt/year pelletising plants at its Paradeep facility in Odisha. Primetals Technologies is responsible for complete plant design, engineering services, key process equipment, complete process automation, and advisory services for construction and implementation.
The plant concept is based on a reliable, tried-and-tested 816 m² induration furnace, which will serve as the basis for a standardised pellet plant model for future capacity expansions at Paradeep and other JSW Steel sites. Together, the two plants will deliver 16 mnt of pellet production capacity annually, directly supporting JSW’s rapid capacity expansion programme.
Smart sensors and advanced predictive control models form the core of Primetals Technologies’ digitalisation solution for the new pelletising plants, enabling continuous monitoring of process conditions and transparent evaluation of the production process. The Level 2 automation system features a digital Pelletizing Optimizer, which enables automated adjustments to the green balling process to achieve a uniform pellet size distribution and consistently high pellet quality.
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