[SMM Stainless Steel Flash] Japan's Chugai Ro Delivers Electric Bright Annealing Line to Romania's Otelinox
Japan's Chugai Ro has delivered an electrically heated continuous bright annealing line (BA3) to Romanian stainless steel producer Otelinox. Ordered in January 2023 and commissioned in December 2025, the line processes stainless steel strip with thicknesses of 0.07–1.0mm and widths of 600–1,320mm. By replacing conventional combustion-based heating with electricity, the facility eliminates direct carbon emissions from the annealing process, avoiding an estimated 2,770 mt of CO2 annually while maintaining product surface quality and brightness. Chugai Ro has now delivered seven bright annealing lines to Otelinox since 1977, including the producer's first electrically heated unit in 1995. The project is expected to strengthen Chugai Ro's European market presence as it expands sales of electric heat-treatment equipment supporting decarbonization and productivity improvement.