SMS group to modernise automation at cold rolling mill. (Image source: SMS)

thyssenkrupp Electrical Steel (tkES) has awarded SMS group a contract to upgrade the automation systems at its four-high CVC cold rolling mill in Gelsenkirchen, Germany.

Originally built by SMS in 1974, the reversing mill is dedicated to processing grain-oriented silicon steel (GO Si-Steel). The modernisation aims to enhance automation, improve safety, and integrate advanced digital technologies to maximise plant availability and efficiency.

The upgrade will be carried out in two phases, with completion scheduled for 2027. Central to the project is the replacement of the existing X-Pact electrical and automation systems with the latest generation of automation technologies.

These include the X-Pact Embedded controller, high-speed EtherCAT I/O systems, and new ergonomic control pulpits.

A virtualised IT infrastructure will also be introduced to improve lifecycle management and reduce dependence on specific hardware or operating systems.

The automation package features level 1 and model-based level 2 systems specifically tailored for GO Si-Steel production, supported by the X-Pact Vision human-machine interface. 

^{SMS’s integrated safety concept for mechanical, electrical, and automation systems: safe plant access with a key transfer system}

This intuitive HMI enables efficient operator guidance and provides tools for system diagnostics, maintenance, and troubleshooting. A master controller will oversee the rolling process and coordinate data flow across all automation levels, including safety systems.

In preparation for the upgrade, tkES and SMS conducted thorough on-site assessments and jointly developed a comprehensive safety concept.

The resulting measures are designed to improve occupational safety during both operation and maintenance activities.

An optimised performance

To ensure seamless commissioning, SMS will conduct its X-Pact Plug & Work integration test, combining the original hardware and software with the new systems in a simulated test environment.

Leveraging a digital twin of the mill, this approach allows final optimisations to be made before installation, reducing both time and costs associated with commissioning and documentation.

Independent safety control functions will also be fully tested during this phase.

The project builds on a long-standing collaboration between tkES and SMS, including successful revamps of the cold rolling mill in 2000 and 2011.

Through ongoing X-Pact Service contracts, the mill has continued to operate at a stable and optimised performance level, supported by SMS’s technical expertise and tkES’s operational insights.

Beyond enhancing automation and safety, the project supports tkES’s long-term commitment to the efficient production of high-quality electrical steel.

The company’s grain-oriented silicon steel, containing 3.1% to 3.5% silicon, plays a crucial role in global energy transmission and distribution networks by enabling minimal energy losses and greater sustainability.

Philipp Geisler, solutions flat products at SMS, said, “Our process knowledge and integrated solutions in design, research and development, and automation, make us the ideal partner for tkES’s modernization goals. Together, we develop tailored solutions for electrical steel production to boost the availability and safety of the reversing cold rolling mill for years to come.”

Also read: SMS group and Ansteel partner to drive green steel innovation

The EPDs were independently verified. (Image source: OCI)

In a move that underscores its sustainability leadership in the region, Oman Cables Industry (OCI) has achieved Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for its main cable families.

This milestone reinforces OCI’s role as both a regional leader in sustainable practices and a provider of comprehensive infrastructure solutions.

The EPD certifications offer a significant advantage to OCI’s customers by helping them meet rising demands for environmental transparency and carbon accountability across sectors such as construction, utilities, and infrastructure.

With these certifications in place, OCI enables stakeholders to build more responsibly, drive sustainable innovation, and stay ahead in an increasingly climate-conscious market.

The EPDs were independently verified and published by EPD Norge, developed in accordance with cable-specific Product Category Rules (PCRs).

Investing in ESG frameworks

These declarations present a rigorous, science-based account of each product’s environmental footprint, covering its entire lifecycle from raw material extraction to disposal.

As sustainability and carbon reporting become increasingly important for procurement decisions, regulatory compliance, and access to green financing, verified EPDs are proving essential.

They also support adherence to internationally recognised green building certification systems such as LEED and Estidama, as well as aligning with broader ESG investment frameworks.

OCI's EPD-backed products help customers achieve environmental standards and demonstrate climate action, whether for government infrastructure or private projects. This result enhances OCI's eligibility for worldwide and regional green tenders, and supports Oman's economic transformation under Vision 2040.

“At OCI, sustainability is not a campaign, it’s a core business principle,” said Erkan Aydogdu, CEO of Oman Cables Industry. “Securing EPD certification reflects our continued commitment to operational transparency, responsible growth, and long-term stakeholder value. We’re committed to empowering our customers and partners with the data they need to compete in tomorrow’s markets. And this is just the beginning more EPD certifications are underway.” 

OCI’s verified EPDs are publicly accessible through the EPD Norge website.

“We’re not just manufacturing cables, we’re enabling the next generation of infrastructure with purpose, performance, and accountability,” Aydogdu added.

Also read: OCI shares financial results; announces new board members

The facility opened on 19 June 2025. (Image source: Teledyne GFD)

Teledyne Gas & Flame Detection (Teledyne GFD) has partnered with Industrial Detection Solutions (IDS) to establish a 699 m² manufacturing facility in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, marking a significant step towards localising production of advanced gas detection technologies in the Kingdom.

The facility, which opened on 19 June 2025, will produce high-precision sensors used in hazardous environments such as oil and gas drilling sites, LNG/CNG plants, and petrochemical facilities.

The initiative supports Saudi Arabia’s IKTVA programme, which encourages economic diversification and local supply chain development in the energy sector.

By bringing manufacturing closer to end users and suppliers, the partnership is expected to reduce lead times and enhance safety support across the region.

More features added

Key products to be produced at the new plant include Teledyne GFD’s DM-700 toxic gas sensor, and the FP-700 and IR-700 sensors for combustible gas detection.

These ‘smart’ sensors offer non-intrusive monitoring using electrochemical, catalytic bead, and infrared technologies, with robust designs that resist common causes of failure such as water ingress, corrosion, and vibration.

“Our new partnership with Industrial Detection Solutions ensures that manufacturing is closer to both customers and suppliers, enabling even faster delivery of class-leading gas detection products in support of more efficient supply chains,” said Thomas Moeller, VP Sales & Marketing at Teledyne GFD. “The proven solutions manufactured in KSA will better serve a vast regional industry that recognises the importance of a robust and prevalent safety culture. We are proud to be part of KSA’s remarkable ongoing journey of economic and industrial growth, and we look forward to a successful future together.”

Teledyne GFD recently also introduced the PS DUO, a new portable dual-gas detector designed to improve personal safety in hazardous environments. The compact handheld device can detect two gases simultaneously using passive diffusion sensing, and features real-time monitoring with audible, visual and vibrating alarms to alert users when gas levels exceed safe limits.

The PS DUO offers a broad selection of gas combinations including carbon monoxide (CO), hydrogen sulphide (H₂S), sulphur dioxide (SO₂), ammonia (NH₃), oxygen (O₂), hydrogen (H₂), nitrogen dioxide (NO₂), and ozone (O₃). Its ATEX/IECEx rating and 2-year warranty make it ideal for industrial settings. Users can select gas pairings tailored to their specific applications, such as H₂S and SO₂, particularly relevant in Middle Eastern operations.

The detector features a bright LCD screen displaying continuous gas concentration, wireless connectivity for easy data transfer, and internal memory capable of storing 30 alarm logs. Housed in a rugged IP67-rated rubberised casing, the PS DUO is lightweight (200g), ergonomic, and designed for comfort and ease of use in demanding environments. It runs for up to two years on a single replaceable battery.

Also read: Teledyne GFD's new portable dual-gas detector

EGA is also constructing the UAE’s largest aluminium recycling plant at Al Taweelah. (Image source: EGA)

Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA), the world’s largest producer of premium aluminium, has commenced production at its expanded Spectro Alloys aluminium recycling facility in Minnesota, USA.

The first phase of the expansion adds 55,000 tonnes of secondary billet production capacity, with full ramp-up expected by the first quarter of 2026. Once fully operational, the site will produce 165,000 tonnes of recycled aluminium billets and ingots annually.

The output from the expanded facility will be marketed under EGA’s RevivAL brand, which represents the company’s portfolio of recycled aluminium products. With this development, EGA’s total global recycling capacity now stands at 195,000 tonnes per year, combining operations in the US and Germany.

EGA is also constructing the UAE’s largest aluminium recycling plant at Al Taweelah. Set to produce 170,000 tonnes of billets annually, the facility is on track to begin operations in the first half of 2026, reinforcing EGA’s commitment to advancing sustainable aluminium production across its global network.

Addressing the global supply chain gap

Demand for recycled aluminium in the United States is projected to reach approximately 7.6 million tonnes annually by 2033, according to independent analysts at CRU. As the second largest market for recycled aluminium globally, the US plays a significant role in the transition toward more sustainable materials.

Aluminium recycling consumes up to 95% less electricity compared to primary production, resulting in dramatically lower greenhouse gas emissions. To meet growing domestic demand, Emirates Global Aluminium (EGA) is advancing plans to establish the first new primary aluminium smelter in the US since 1980. The proposed facility, to be located in Oklahoma, is expected to produce 600,000 tonnes of aluminium per year, nearly doubling the country’s current output.

At present, around 85% of aluminium used by US industries such as automotive, aerospace and construction is imported. EGA’s planned investment aims to address this gap by strengthening domestic supply chains. In 2024, EGA also expanded its recycling footprint in the US with the acquisition of an 80% stake in EGA Spectro Alloys.

Abdulnasser Bin Kalban, chief executive officer of Emirates Global Aluminium, said, “Reaching first hot metal at the expansion of EGA Spectro Alloys is another milestone in our drive to build a global aluminium recycling business to meet growing demand for this low carbon metal. It is also a milestone in EGA’s growth in the United States, already one of our most important markets and where we are progressing our plans to build a primary aluminium production plant in Oklahoma.”

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