John Cockerill Wins Contract of Process Lines for Electrical Steel with JSW Vijayanagar Metallics

John Cockerill has been awarded a landmark contract by JSW Vijayanagar Metallics Limited (JVML) for the Design, Engineering, Supply, Supervision of Erection and Commissioning of two Annealing & Coating Lines (ACL 2 & ACL 3) and one Annealing & Pickling Line (APL) for the Cold Rolled Non-Oriented (CRNO) Electrical Steel Project at Vijayanagar, Karnataka.

With a production capacity of approximately 600,000 tonnes per annum, the project marks a significant milestone for John Cockerill in electrical steel processing lines in India and further strengthens the Group’s position as a leading global technology provider for advanced steel processing solutions.

The scope of the contract includes engineering, manufacturing, equipment supply, supervision of erection and commissioning, as well as operator training. The project is scheduled for completion in 2028.

The project will be led by John Cockerill, in close cooperation with Fives Stein. By combining the respective expertise of John Cockerill Metals and Fives Stein the project will meet the specific requirements of electrical steel production and JVML’s performance expectations.

Frédéric Martin, Managing Director of John Cockerill India Limited, said: “Securing this contract is a landmark achievement for John Cockerill in India. Beyond being our first electrical steel project in the country, it reflects the confidence placed in our technology, engineering expertise and execution capabilities. As demand for electrical steel continues to grow, driven by electric mobility, renewable energy and industrial electrification, we are proud to support JSW Vijayanagar Metallics in establishing world-class production capabilities that will contribute to India’s industrial growth and energy transition.”

The new CRNO Project will comprise the following key facilities:

Annealing & Pickling Line (APL)

The Annealing & Pickling Line is designed to restore ductility and ensure superior surface cleanliness, creating the foundation for achieving the final magnetic properties required in the downstream annealing and coating process.

Designed to operate at 80 mpm and process Hot Rolled NGO Electrical Steel with silicon content up to 4%, the line will feature:

• Coil preheating
• Edge heater
• Edge trimmer with scrap chopper
• Horizontal annealing furnace
• Four turbulence pickling tanks
• Two shot blasters
• Advanced process control systems
• Cascading hydrochloric acid (HCl) regeneration system
• Silicon sludge removal system

The solution is engineered to minimise acid consumption, reduce environmental impact and ensure superior product quality. The project will benefit from John Cockerill’s extensive global experience in annealing and pickling technologies serving a wide range of electrical steel grades and applications worldwide.

Annealing & Coating Lines (ACL)

The Annealing & Coating Lines will provide the final processing stage, ensuring the magnetic properties and insulation coating quality that directly influence motor and transformer efficiency and the overall value of the electrical steel product.

Designed to operate at 180 mpm and process Cold Rolled NGO Electrical Steel with silicon content up to 4%, the lines will feature:

• Cleaning section with ECL
• Horizontal annealing furnace
• Organic coating solution circulation system
• Varnish drying, curing and cooling floating oven
• Edge trimmer with scrap chopper
• Drum shear

The technology builds upon John Cockerill’s proven expertise in annealing and coating lines for electrical steel producers worldwide, delivering high levels of productivity, process stability and product performance.

Supporting India’s Growing Electrical Steel Market

Together, these facilities represent a significant milestone in JVML’s electrical steel expansion strategy, supporting enhanced productivity, operational efficiency and sustainable manufacturing practices.

The project also marks John Cockerill’s entry into India’s electrical steel processing market at a time when demand for high-performance electrical steel is accelerating across electric vehicles, energy-efficient appliances, industrial motors, automation systems, renewable energy installations and power transmission infrastructure.

By bringing its globally recognised electrical steel processing technologies to India, John Cockerill is contributing to the development of a domestic value chain capable of supporting the country’s growing electrification and energy transition ambitions.