JISCO Carbon Steel in Jiayuguan launched serial production of the world’s first integrated line combining compact strip production (CSP®) and a hot strip mill (HSM) on February 2. This upgrade, powered by SMS group automation, doubles annual capacity from 2 million to 4.5 million tons.

The system uses X Pact® process models to synchronize slab scheduling between different furnace types, allowing seamless transitions between production routes. With the modular prefabrication and a staged installation, the HSM expansion was finished without interrupting the existing CSP® operations.

By integrating CSP® short-process technology with continuous HSM rolling, JISCO can now produce higher-value steel grades with stable quality. This project establishes a new global benchmark for flexible, automated hot strip mill performance and large-scale facility upgrades.