Italian Wire Rod Producers Upgrade Mills with SMS MEERdrive PLUS Technology
Two leading Italian wire rod manufacturers, Arlenico SpA and Feralpi Siderurgica SpA, have strengthened their production capabilities by ordering advanced MEERdrive®PLUS finishing blocks from SMS group. This investment in MEERdrive PLUS finishing block technology supports higher efficiency, tighter tolerances, and improved product performance.
MEERdrive PLUS Finishing Block Integration in Rolling Mills
Both companies will integrate the four-stand MEERdrive®PLUS finishing blocks into their existing rolling mills. SMS group designed this technology to combine thermomechanical rolling with an advanced water-cooling system, allowing manufacturers to achieve extremely tight dimensional tolerances.
Learn more about the technology directly from SMS group: https://www.sms-group.com
Arlenico Enhances Caleotto Plant Operations
Arlenico SpA selected the MEERdrive®PLUS block for installation at its Caleotto plant wire rod line. The company, jointly owned by Duferco Italia Holding and Feralpi Siderurgica, focuses on producing high-quality wire rod near Lake Lecco.
This upgrade allows Arlenico to improve precision and maintain consistent product quality across demanding applications.
Explore Arlenico’s operations: https://www.arlenico.com
Feralpi Expands Production and Product Range
Feralpi Siderurgica will use the new finishing block to increase rolling speeds, expand product size ranges, and enhance mechanical properties of its wire rod and rebar products.
The upgrade supports Feralpi’s broader strategy to boost productivity while delivering high-performance steel products.
Visit Feralpi Group: https://www.feralpigroup.com
MEERdrive PLUS Technology Benefits
The MEERdrive®PLUS system builds on SMS’s proven MEERdrive® technology. It uses individual low-voltage motors for each stand, which enables precise control and flexible operation.
Key advantages include:
- Reduced mill downtime through “one-family rolling”
- Elimination of frequent size and ring changes
- Improved operational efficiency and throughput
Technical Specifications and Performance
SMS group designed the finishing blocks (oval-round-round-round configuration) to operate after an existing ten-pass block. These systems deliver high performance under demanding conditions.
Key performance capabilities:
- Wire rod sizes: 4.55 mm to 27 mm
- Rolling speeds: up to 120 m/s
- Operating temperature: as low as 750°C
- Tolerances: as precise as 0.05 mm
- Ovality: up to 50%
These specifications enable manufacturers to produce consistent, high-quality wire rod with exceptional dimensional accuracy.
Proven Track Record of MEERdrive Technology
These installations mark the eleventh and twelfth MEERdrive-based finishing blocks supplied by SMS group. The technology has demonstrated consistent success since its first implementation at Sinobras in 2007.
