Dillinger France commissions SMS group to upgrade the cold plate leveler in its heavy plate mill in Dunkirk to process new steel grades

• As part of the modernization, the automated leveling system originally supplied by SMS group in 1999 will be replaced to meet the growing demands of advanced high-strength steel grades
• The project will expand the heavy plate mill’s product portfolio without the need to renew the proven mechanical equipment already in place
• Dillinger France plans to strengthen its technological competitiveness while meeting growing market demand and, thanks to the integrated 9/5 roll mode, the range of applications will be extended without having to change rolls

Dillinger France has awarded SMS group an order to upgrade the existing cold plate leveler at its heavy plate mill in Dunkirk, France, with the latest generation of X-Pact^® Plate Leveler Control. This modernization replaces the leveling model originally supplied by SMS group in 1999 and is designed to meet the growing requirements of advanced high-strength (HS) steel grades. By enabling higher over-stretching rates during the leveling process, the new solution will improve plate flatness and residual stress removal while enabling Dillinger France to expand its product portfolio without replacing the leveler’s proven mechanical equipment.

At the heart of the upgrade is a technologically advanced process model that features optimized setpoint calculations for roll position, bending forces, and torque distribution across a broad spectrum of steel grades. Combined with an integrated 9/5-roll mode, the solution extends the operational range of the leveler without requiring roll changes, providing greater operational flexibility and production efficiency. 

Philippe Nawracala, Site Director at Dillinger France, commented that “SMS group has been a trusted partner for many years. Its deep understanding of our equipment and continuous advancement of process models gave us confidence that this modernization will help us meet future quality requirements while maximizing the value of our existing assets.” 

Thomas Koch, Automation & Digital Solutions at SMS group, added, “Together with Dillinger France, we are creating the conditions to maximize the plant’s potential for years to come. By applying enhanced leveling strategies, the new process control system unlocks the full potential of the existing leveler while helping Dillinger France maintain the technological competitiveness of its heavy plate production.”

The project is scheduled for completion by December 2027. To ensure stable commissioning, the process model will first operate in “shadow mode,” validating its performance against the existing production process.

Dillinger France, a subsidiary of the Dillinger Group and one of the world’s leading producers of high-grade wide steel plate, manufactures more than 600,000 tons of heavy plate annually. Its products are used worldwide in demanding applications such as offshore wind energy, mechanical engineering, line pipe, and boiler construction.