Posted on 05 Nov 2026
Tata Steel and SMS group have commissioned the third two-strand slab caster (Caster No. 3) in Steel Melting Shop #1 at Tata Steel Kalinganagar. Following the first heat, the caster quickly reached its designed production capacity, operating at high casting speeds under stable conditions.
Rakesh Singh, Tata Steel Ltd: “I am delighted to share my sincere appreciation to the SMS group team for successful commissioning of Caster No. 3. This achievement is a testament of your team’s dedication, expertise and commitment to excellence.”
The vertical bending plant is designed to produce slabs 230 millimeters thick (210/250) and between 1,000 and 2,150 millimeters wide. It can operate at a maximum casting speed of 1.9 meters per minute and achieve an annual production capacity of 3.1 million tons. Tata Steel produces sophisticated grades such as IF steel, low carbon, microalloyed peritectic grades, and medium-carbon steel.
The slab caster is equipped with a high-performance copper mold with hydraulically controlled oscillation, precise mold-level control, and hydraulically adjustable strand guidance. Dynamic Soft Reduction® and a zone-controlled air-mist secondary cooling system ensure uniform solidification and high internal slab quality. The caster also features level 1 and level 2 models of the X-Pact® automation system, including breakout prevention and comprehensive online process monitoring.
The caster’s ramp-up was exceptionally stable and efficient. Just a few months after the first heat, it reached its target production capacity and consistently delivered high casting performance. A key factor in this success was the reliable tundish change-on-the-fly process, which enables tundish exchanges without tail-out and facilitates long casting sequences. The record sequence of 560 heats over 17 consecutive days underscores the plant’s high availability and process stability.
Caster No. 3 is the third caster SMS has delivered to Tata Steel’s Kalinganagar facility, with the first two casters starting operation in 2016 and 2024, respectively. Caster 3 builds on this success and further expands the production capacity of Steel Melting Shop No. 1.
The project’s successful execution is the result of Tata Steel and SMS’s close and collaborative partnership.
Source:SMS group
