ABB won the deal as part of a consortium with steel processing lines and rolling mills supplier Clecim.
ABB technology will be key to achieving safe, efficient and optimised operations for the new line, which is expected to be operational in readiness for the startup of Tata Steel’s new 3.2-million-ton capacity electric arc furnace (EAF). Financial details were not disclosed. The order was booked in the first quarter of 2025.
Tata Steel is jointly investing more than £1.25 billion at the Welsh plant, inclusive of £500 million in UK Government support, with focus on the decarbonisation of its operations. ABB will commission its technologies by the end of 2027 in time for full operational start-up at Port Talbot by 2028. The new line, including Clecim’s mechanical and process equipment, will process hot rolled coils to eliminate oxide scale formed during the steel rolling process, ensuring a clean surface for further processing, improving product quality, and enhancing the bonding of coatings or finishes.
ABB will be responsible for automation, leveraging the Roll@xA digital solution and ABB Ability System 800xA distributed control system with specific libraries for processing lines. ABB Ability System 800xA, in particular, offers the ability to integrate all automation aspects within its environment, which will be integral to achieving seamless business operations.
ABB will also supply a scope of digital solutions for optimising the new line’s performance, including ABB Ability Manufacturing Operations Management for Metals and ABB Ability Data Analytics Platform for Metals, as well as the Extended Operator Workplace, a control centre to enhance human-plant operational effectiveness. These systems also have the ability to integrate with the automation systems of Clecim’s pickling packages, serving to achieve one environment that can then create a flawless operational experience.
The system solution has been designed to enable further development, including digitalisation elements such as smart manufacturing, asset management and connected workforce securing Tata Steel’s optimised operations into the future.
The electrification scope from ABB will comprise of medium-voltage switchgear and transformers, uninterruptable power supply (UPS) equipment, a range of LV drives and multidrives, energy-efficient AC motors and associated control center infrastructure.
“Our new and advanced pickle line will form a major part of our green steelmaking facility at Port Talbot, ensuring we can supply downstream businesses and customers with the high-quality, low CO₂ steel products society is demanding,” said Rajesh Nair, CEO, Tata Steel UK. “This collaboration marks yet another critical step forward in securing a sustainable future for steel production in South Wales – made possible by the expertise and innovation provided by these best-in-class business partners.”
“Our team has an established relationship with Tata Steel, and we know that together we can shape operations to optimise how this steel is made,” said Frederik Esterhuizen, global business line manager for metals, ABB Process Industries. “No one organization can solve industry challenges alone, so we see that with Clecim progress will be made for the customer and the industry faster than may otherwise have been possible. We look forward to driving this project forward, together.”