Successful installation of the material conveyor belt for the electric steel plant

The installation of the new material conveyor belt to supply the electric steelworks marked a key milestone for future material logistics. The project presented all those involved with extraordinary technical, logistical, and safety challenges—particularly due to its implementation in the middle of ongoing operations at the scrap yard of the open-hearth steelworks.

The conveyor belt was installed in a high-traffic production environment where heavy vehicles, large equipment, and ongoing processes converge on a daily basis. The primary goal was to plan and implement the installation in such a way that the impact on production operations was kept to an absolute minimum.

This required daily adjustments to safety concepts, continuous situation assessments, and an exceptionally high level of coordination between operations, assembly, occupational safety, and logistics. Only through this close cooperation was it possible to ensure construction progress under the challenging conditions.

Key technical data at a glance

• Highest point on the corner tower: approx. 55 m
• Longest segment of the ribbon bridge: approx. 60 m
• Lifting equipment used: LR1800 crawler crane (one of the largest cranes in its class)

The use of the large crawler crane was essential in order to position the heavy and large-format components safely and precisely despite the confined space and complex load situations.

The extremely limited working areas at the scrap yard were particularly challenging. Every single lift had to be planned down to the meter, with hardly any room for maneuver or correction.

In addition, weather conditions had a significant impact on the progress of the installation. Work at heights of up to 55 meters was only possible when wind speeds were very low. Installation windows therefore had to be used flexibly and schedules had to be adjusted at short notice.

The successful completion of the project was primarily based on:

• consistent implementation of health and safety measures,
• daily reassessment of potential risks,
• close, interdisciplinary cooperation between all teams involved,
• and a high degree of flexibility and mutual understanding between the installation and operations teams.

The installation of the material conveyor belt was much more than a standard construction project. It impressively demonstrates what is possible when technical expertise, safety awareness, and teamwork come together under the most demanding conditions.

Special thanks go to all colleagues involved who implemented this project safely and successfully with great commitment, high discipline, and many years of experience.