Outokumpu Tornio

Due to the simulation results, investments can now be allocated straight to the genuinely essential targets.

Increasing production volumes were secured with a simulation model

The growth in the production volume of Outokumpu’s Tornio stainless steel plant raised the need to ensure sufficient capacity. Pinja built a simulation model in collaboration with Outokumpu’s team to determine capacity and investment needs. It was later found that the simulated results corresponded with the actual load situation.

Simulated production models

Pinja constructed simulated production models to secure sufficient capacity at the melt shop and hot-rolling mill of the Tornio plant.

Extensive models

The simulation models were complemented with production-related routing data, equipment, warehouses, limitations, and capacities.

Increased volumes

The simulations were later modified to suit the current situation.

The received simulation results corresponded well with the production loads that were experienced later on.

Outokumpu team

The challenge: Due to a strong increase in production volumes, there was a need to secure sufficient capacity at the smelting plant and hot-rolling mill in Tornio

Outokumpu’s operations in Tornio form the most integrated stainless steel plant in the world. The same factory area accommodates a ferrochrome plant and all the sections of steel production: a steel melt shop, a hot-rolling mill, and a cold-rolling mill. Due to a strong increase in production volumes, there was a need to secure sufficient capacity at the melt shop and hot-rolling mill of the Tornio plant. Moreover, the goal was to explore the range of investments needed to achieve the desired capacity.

The solution: Pinja constructed simulated production models of the smelting plant’s slabs and billets logistics and of the hot-rolling mill’s roll storage system

Pinja constructed simulated production models of the smelting plant’s slabs and billets logistics and of the hot-rolling mill’s roll storage system. In collaboration with the Outokumpu team, the models were complemented with production-related routing data, equipment, warehouses, limitations, and capacities. The initial data was based on estimated future production volumes.

The received simulation results corresponded well with the production loads that were experienced later on. As the volumes continued to increase, the simulations were later modified to suit the current situation.

Valuable preliminary data for changing situations

Outokumpu received extremely valuable preliminary data about the plant’s capacity and the functions of the process under different – and changing – levels of load pressure. Due to the simulation results, investments can now be allocated straight to the genuinely essential targets.

According to the experienced team of Outokumpu, a major benefit was also the deepened understanding of the dynamics and operations of the plant’s own process. Outokumpu was happy with the quality of the analyses and the collaboration with Pinja’s experts.