JSW Steel commissions world’s first RH Ladle Rocker with Fast Vessel Exchange

JSW Vijayanagar Metallics Ltd. (JVML), a subsidiary of JSW Steel, has commissioned a new 350-ton Ruhrstahl Heraeus (RH) vacuum degassing unit from SMS group at its Vijayanagar Works Steel Plant 4 in Toranagallu, India. The installation is the world’s first to combine an RH Ladle Rocker with Fast Vessel Exchange (FvE), marking a significant step forward in secondary metallurgy.

The new RH facility has a total production capacity of three million tonnes per year and will supply vacuum-treated steels for demanding applications, including automotive, construction, infrastructure, manufacturing and energy. According to SMS group, the configuration delivers higher process efficiency, improved safety and greater steel grade flexibility compared with conventional RH installations.

The plant integrates a Ladle Rocker for controlled ladle lifting and tilting with a Fast Vessel Exchange system that reduces exchange times, extends vessel lifetime and enables faster grade changes. By shortening idle times and simplifying maintenance, the solution allows higher output without increasing manpower or plant footprint. An additional on-top ferro-silicon bunker improves alloy availability and further stabilises the process.

Nikhil Agashe, Vice President of JSW Steel, said: “The new 350-ton RH unit with Fast Vessel Exchange represents a step change in our production capability and grade flexibility. It integrates seamlessly into JVML Steel Plant 4 and maximizes our operational efficiency, while improving safety and maintainability.”

From the supplier side, Christina Godolt, Contract Manager at SMS group, commented: “Commissioning the world’s first 350-ton RH Ladle Rocker combined with FvE is a proud moment for us and our partnership with JSW Steel.” She added that the project underlines SMS group’s engineering leadership and delivers “clear, quantifiable benefits” in plant effectiveness, lifecycle costs and safety.

JSW Steel and SMS group have already cooperated on earlier 350-ton RH units at Dolvi Works in 2023 and 2024. Based on the performance of those installations, JSW Steel decided to equip all RH units at Vijayanagar Works Steel Plant 4 with the Ladle Rocker FvE concept, strengthening its ability to produce premium-quality steels in the Indian market.

Source and Photo: SMS Group