SMS Group supplies aluminium flat rolling mill to Steel Dynamics

Steel Dynamics Inc. (SDI), a US steel producer and metals recycler, recently placed an order with SMS Group for the supply of a new aluminium flat rolling mill for Aluminum Dynamics, (a joint venture of SDI) to be built in Columbus, Mississippi. SMS will supply the integrated hot and cold rolling complex for a production capacity of 650,000 t of aluminium strip per year, mainly for applications in the sustainable beverage packaging, automotive and common alloy markets. A considerable proportion of recycled aluminium scrap will be used as input material for manufacturing, thus making a significant contribution to sustainable aluminium production.

Longstanding project partnership

As a world market leader for aluminium hot and cold rolling mills, SMS was selected for this project based on its technological expertise and the long-standing history shared by SMS and SDI. SMS Group’s relationship with SDI stretches back to the mid-1990s when the two partners completed a large number of successful projects, the most recent being their newest steelmaking facility in Sinton, Texas.

SMS Group’s main order scope includes the hot strip mill, two tandem cold mills, a single-stand cold rolling mill, and two high-bay storage systems. All plants will be supplied from one source, including integrated SMS Group solutions for the electrical and automation equipment. Thanks to this integrated approach, SMS is ensuring that the electrical and automation systems work in perfect harmony, helping to shorten the plant ramp-up time and increase the overall performance of the entire aluminium flat rolling mill. 

The rolling mill complex is expected to start production in the first half of 2025. 

Input material aluminium scrap

The new facility will utilize a significant amount of aluminium scrap, provided by SDI’s metals recycling platform OmniSource. SDI intends to apply its experience and knowledge in the field of metals recycling in the production of flat rolled aluminium products. There is even the option of upgrading secondary aluminium scrap, as new sorting technologies are now available. This will help to raise production to a new level of efficiency and quality. 

Alongside the technological expertise, customers are set to benefit from SDI’s sustainable and customer-centric approach in the market for aluminium flat rolled products. With its new production complex, SDI plans to satisfy growing demand in the sustainable beverage can industry.