An alternative system that casts liquid steel directly onto a single horizontally moving belt is also being tried. Both techniques could cut energy consumption—one of the biggest costs in steelmaking—by around 80%. Other savings in operating and capital costs are also possible. If these new processes prove themselves, steelmaking could once again be transformed.

The Castrip process uses up to 90% less energy to process liquid steel into hot rolled steel sheets. In addition, the Castrip process will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 80%. The Castrip® technology offers considerable savings in capital outlay, completion and delivery times and energy costs.

In sheet steels, thinner is more valuable. Thickness of as-cast product from the Castrip® process is less than conventional hot rolled products.