Optimus to invest in Texas mill

Global equipment and technology provider Danieli says it has been selected by Optimus Steel Inc. to “modernize the complete rolling process” for its 1 million tons per year electric arc furnace (EAF) wire rod mill in Vidor, Texas. The installation process is expected to be completed by the end of 2021.

The project will include the installation of high-speed shears “for automatic cropping” and two Danieli oil-film-bearing laying heads equipped with patented, double-pipe rotor technology designed to “guarantee five-to-six times longer pipe life compared with conventional solutions.” An accompanying electrical and automation package for all technology also will be delivered by Danieli Automation.

A new coil-finishing area equipped with a trimming station, a horizontal compactor and an unloading system also is part of the project. “Other improvements will be made to upgrade the minimill’s water treatment plant and to supply a new one to guarantee higher environmental standards and comply with local requirements,” adds Danieli.

“This technological update, the result of a partnership and a shared vision between Optimus Steel and Danieli to achieve superior results and business growth, will significantly increase Optimus Steel’s production, product quality and safety conditions inside the plant while reducing operating expenses, thus meeting the demanding requirements of the United States market,” states Italy-based Danieli.

EAF mill operator Optimus Steel, on its website, states, “More than 90 percent of our products are made from recycled materials recovered from automobiles, steel structures, ships, household appliances and many other sources.”