Southwire will install a new SCR-9000S copper rod mill to support a long-term modernization and sustainability strategy. Primetals Technologies will provide engineering, manufacturing, and commissioning of the rolling mill and coiling equipment as part of the patented Southwire Continuous Rod (SCR) technology, which will produce electrolytic tough pitch (ETP) copper rods for electrical wire and cable applications. The mill is located in Carrollton, Georgia, USA. The new rod mill will be capable of producing more copper rod than any other SCR rod system in the world.
The new mill will replace Southwire’s existing copper rod system, which has been operating since 1980. The existing system has seen many upgrades over the years and has been the primary source of copper rod for Southwire’s downstream wire and cable operations.
“To put the technology itself into perspective, fifty percent of all copper rod made in the world passes through one of our SCR systems at some point in its lifetime. That’s significant,” said Charlie Murrah, Southwire’s executive vice president of metals. “Our copper rod manufacturing plant in Carrollton is more than 40 years old, and it is the right time to upgrade to a new, state-of-the-art SCR system for continuity and efficiency of our processes. A new SCR system in place for Southwire’s copper rod production will help keep us strong and sustainable for decades to come.”
The Primetals Technologies contribution includes two roughing mills, two shears and tables, an eight-stand finishing mill with independently driven stands, a cleaning line, two pinch rolls—one with a four-way waxer—a rollerized turndown, rod coiler, lubrication systems, guide equipment, and a fully automatic recirculating conveyor system. All this with the support of Southwire’s coil weighing and automatic pallet destacking, compacting, and strapping equipment. The mill will produce 8, 12.7, 15.6, and 19 millimeter-diameter rods.
Southwire is one of North America’s largest wire and cable producers. Southwire and its subsidiaries manufacture building wire and cable, metal-clad cable, portable and electronic cord products, utility products, OEM wire products and engineered products. In addition, Southwire supplies assembled products, contractor equipment and hand tools. For more on Southwire’s products, its community involvement, and its vision of sustainability, visit www.southwire.com. Primetals Technologies has built more than 120 non-ferrous mills and completed about 40 upgrades for Southwire customers over the past 50 years.
SCR is a registered trademark of Southwire Company, LLC.
MORE INFORMATION
Read the full press release and access contact details and other press resources using the following link: www.primetals.com/press-media/news
