ABB Partners with Shagang to Upgrade High-End Wire Rod Manufacturing
Time:2026-04-20 Browse: 0
Zhangjiagang, China – April 2026 – ABB and Shagang Group’s Zhangjiagang Rongsheng Special Steel Co., Ltd. have officially announced a strategic collaboration to upgrade the company’s wire rod mill, aiming to optimize product mix and enhance high-end wire rod production capabilities.
The project will introduce ABB’s advanced electrical, automation, and smart manufacturing solutions to support the stable production of diverse, high-value wire rod products. By leveraging ABB’s technologies, Shagang aims to continue its pursuit of product structure optimization and high-quality development.
Project Overview
As a key part of the upgrade, ABB will lead the development of the rolling line’s electrical control systems. The project focuses on enhancing Shagang’s capabilities in producing high-end wire rod varieties, including medium carbon steel, high-quality carbon steel, tire cord steel, alloy welding wire steel, and spring steel, meeting the demands of high-end manufacturing and niche markets.
Located in Zhangjiagang, Jiangsu Province, Shagang Group operates a fully integrated steelmaking process, from sintering, ironmaking, and steelmaking to hot and cold rolling. Its product portfolio spans wide and thick plates, hot-rolled coils, cold-rolled sheets, ultra-thin strips, and high-speed wire rods, serving key infrastructure, equipment manufacturing, and emerging industries, as well as multiple national key projects.
Technology and Solutions
ABB will provide a comprehensive electrical control solution, covering transformers, medium- and low-voltage drives, synchronous and asynchronous motors, level-one and level-two automation systems, and sensors. Advanced control technologies, including PTC clock control, DTC direct torque control, high-precision flying shear control, and wirehead positioning, will be deployed. These systems, combined with ABB’s smart manufacturing solutions for the steel and non-ferrous metals industries, will ensure high-speed, stable rolling and consistent product quality. The upgraded line is designed for a maximum production speed of 120 meters per second.
The project design also emphasizes compatibility with Shagang’s existing production lines, utilizing universal automation and drive system components to reduce operational and maintenance costs. High-efficiency motors and drive systems will enhance productivity while minimizing energy consumption.
Long-Term Collaboration
ABB’s partnership with Shagang dates back to 1999, with more than a dozen high-speed wire projects successfully implemented over the past two decades. The companies have established a mature and efficient technical communication and service support mechanism. The current project is scheduled for commissioning in January 2027, with ABB’s experienced engineering and project management teams providing end-to-end support to ensure high-quality delivery.
Industry Impact
The implementation of this project will strengthen Shagang’s capabilities in high-end wire rod production, advancing the company toward international standards. It also serves as a benchmark for promoting high-quality development in the steel industry and further consolidates ABB’s leadership in providing advanced automation solutions to the steel sector.
