A Leap into the Future of Steel Processing

Salzgitter Flachstahl GmbH, a core subsidiary of the Salzgitter Group, has launched operations at its cutting-edge hot strip slitting line 2 (WBS2) in Salzgitter, Germany. This state-of-the-art facility is currently undergoing the ramp-up phase and is poised to fully replace the existing WBS1 line, which has served the company for decades. This new system represents a quantum leap in slitting technology, offering an advanced level of automation and precision for steel conversion.

Commissioned as part of a strategic overhaul of the company’s flat steel division, WBS2 is specifically engineered to meet the demands of modern industries such as automotive, energy, and construction, where high-performance steel is critical.

Automation at its Core

The WBS2 line is distinguished by its deep integration of robotic automation and digital quality monitoring. In a significant departure from WBS1, which required manual handling, WBS2 employs an advanced robotic system to assemble circular shear knives. This dramatically reduces worker fatigue and safety risks, while also doubling assembly speed.

Furthermore, after each production cycle, knives are automatically cleaned and subjected to integrity checks to ensure they remain sharp and effective, maintaining production reliability at the highest level.

Precision Slicing of Heavy-Duty Steel

The core function of WBS2 is to slit wide, hot-rolled steel strips into narrower slit strips or rings, tailored to client specifications. The line handles both pickled and unpickled hot strip material, allowing for broad material compatibility. Notably, it can slice steel with tensile strengths up to 1,400 MPa, an increase of 40% over the previous system.

This capability opens the door to processing advanced high-strength steels, which are increasingly in demand in vehicle manufacturing, renewable infrastructure, and defense sectors due to their high strength-to-weight ratio.

Flexible Dimensions, Tight Tolerances

The line offers unrivaled flexibility in output customization. It can cut strip widths ranging from 100 mm to 2,000 mm and thicknesses between 1.5 mm and 8 mm. Each coil can yield up to 13 rings. Depending on the customer’s need, rings can be wound to inner diameters of 508 mm, 610 mm, or 760 mm, with outer diameters extending up to 2,300 mm.

Tolerances are strictly controlled to within 0.5 mm, thanks to the implementation of online width measurement systems. This high level of dimensional precision is critical for industries that demand exact steel specifications, such as automotive component makers and industrial machinery manufacturers.

Surface inspection and digital traceability

WBS2 also features a fully automated Optical Inspection System that monitors the steel surface in real-time for any defects. This digital oversight ensures that quality issues are detected immediately, minimizing waste and enhancing client satisfaction.

Additionally, plans are underway to implement robotic labeling technology that will attach traceable tags to each finished ring. This will facilitate seamless supply chain integration and provide clients with end-to-end visibility of their steel products.

Capacity, Efficiency, & Sustainability

With a maximum coil weight capacity of 36 metric tons, up from 32 metric tons in WBS1, WBS2 enhances throughput without sacrificing precision. The upgraded system also features larger, sturdier circular blades that allow for deeper cuts and higher force application, expanding the plant’s production scope.

This added capacity comes without added energy burden. In fact, WBS2 is designed to be more energy-efficient, supporting Salzgitter AG’s broader sustainability goals, which include significant CO₂ emissions reductions and transition to hydrogen-based steelmaking.

Strategic Investment for Industry 4.0

The installation of WBS2 forms part of Salzgitter's broader "Salzgitter AG 2030" vision, which focuses on smart manufacturing, digitalization, and climate neutrality. As steelmakers across Europe and the world seek to balance quality, sustainability, and cost-efficiency, Salzgitter’s new facility sets a benchmark for what future-ready steel production looks like.

In a competitive global market, where customer demands grow ever more specialized and delivery timelines shrink, Salzgitter’s investment in WBS2 enables it to respond swiftly and flexibly to bespoke orders while optimizing labor and operational costs.

Key Takeaways

• The new WBS2 slitting line can process ultra-high-strength steel up to 1,400 MPa, a 40% improvement over the old WBS1 line.

• Robotic automation handles knife assembly, inspection, and surface monitoring, significantly boosting efficiency and worker safety.

• WBS2 offers flexible slit strip dimensions, supports coil weights up to 36 metric tons, also enables tight width tolerances of 0.5 mm.