On May 18th, 2026, Industeel reached a major milestone with the first successful complete pour on the new Vertical Continuous Caster at its Le Creusot plant in France. This achievement marks an important step forward in the plant’s ramp-up.
The first production run involved P235GH, a standard structural steel grade, in a 1500 x 150 mm format. From the very beginning, conditions were ideal for a successful operation. The ladle exited the secondary metallurgy stage in optimal condition, enabling the rest of the process to proceed smoothly.
All shop-floor operations, both at the ladle and the tundish, were carried out under excellent conditions. The pouring process was fully controlled from start to finish, with a particularly efficient filling sequence. Speed, level, and flow-rate parameters were accurately maintained, and the temperature was perfectly suited to the operation. The cutting phase was also completed successfully, using a single torch at a low flow rate.
From a logistical perspective, slab tipping, transfer, and removal all proceeded as planned. Likewise, closure operations on the ladles and tundishes were completed without difficulty.
This first pour resulted in nine slabs — a highly satisfactory outcome.
This success represents a decisive step toward the plant’s industrialization phase and opens the way for the gradual validation of new grades, formats, and specific machine functionalities.
