Zaporizhstal has modernized its APR-4 rolled steel processing unit

Metinvest Group’s Zaporizhstal steelworks has modernized the APR-4 longitudinal slitting machine in its hot rolling shop, investing UAH 5.3 million in the project, according to a statement by Metinvest Media.

As noted, the APR-4 is designed to cut hot-rolled coils into strips. Prior to the modernization, the design limitations of the winding unit did not allow working with coils weighing more than 8 tons without prior cutting. At the same time, the main consumers, both in the export and Ukrainian markets, order coils weighing more than 10 tons, and the share of double-weight products reaches about 95%.

As explained by Vitaliy Boiko, Head of Capital Construction and Investment, due to technological limitations, the APR-4 did not allow for high-quality processing of double-weight coils, which are now the standard for most consumers. The need for additional operations complicated the production process and affected the quality of the finished product.

According to him, the company set a goal to adapt the unit to current market requirements. Zaporizhstal modernized the winding unit, which allowed it to switch to working with rolls weighing up to 16 tons.

As part of the project, the cleaning trolley and pressure roller unit were modernized on APR-4. The hydraulic and pneumatic cylinders of the winding device were also replaced. The installation and commissioning work on the unit was carried out by the division’s employees in conjunction with the contractor Etalonbudservis.

The implementation of the project allows the steelworks to expand its product portfolio, as it enables the production of a greater number of strip sizes. In addition, the quality of product processing is improving.

It should be noted that, in 2025, Zaporizhstal increased its production of rolled metal products by 15.1% compared to 2024, to 2.795 million tons.