In the presence of NRW’s prime minister Hendrik Wüst, thyssenkrupp Steel recently inaugurated its newest hot-dip galvanizing line 10 (FBA 10) in Dortmund, Germany. The new line sets a global benchmark in energy efficiency and low-emission heating. By using modern regenerative burners from WS Wärmeprozesstechnik GmbH in double-P radiant tubes, the plant typically saves between 15% and 30% fuel as compared with conventionally heated furnaces. At the same time, particularly low NOx emission values are achieved, thanks to the patented FLOX® combustion process. Due to its high efficiency and the excellent temperature uniformity of the radiant tubes used, the heating system also creates a perfect basis for a later switch to green fuels such as hydrogen.
With a total of three vertical strip-processing lines, the thyssenkrupp plant in Dortmund is one of the world's most modern locations for the annealing and surface finishing of steel strip. Together, the three lines can process up to 2,000,000 metric tons of steel per year. WS already delivered nearly 800 modern gas burners to the Dortmund location, making it one of the most advanced and environmentally friendly sites worldwide. Regarding the regenerative burners used for FBA10, Dr. Clemens Trachternach, team leader of FBA 10, says: "It is the best technology available on the market, which we are installing in order to really future-proof the plant and still safely undercut the emission limits many, many years from now."
Crucial to meeting this goal is the decades of experience at WS with the multiple award-winning and patented FLOX® technology, which is already successfully in use in tens of thousands of burners worldwide. The FLOX® combustion technology allows highly efficient burners to be operated with particularly low NOx emission levels. "It is our ambition at WS, to provide solutions for all continuously operated strip lines which can reliably attain NOx emissions well below 100 mg/Nm³, with simultaneously high combustion efficiency over 80% and which are, already today, suited for a future with green combustion gases" says Dr.-Ing. Wünning, President of WS Wärmeprozesstechnik GmbH.
The targets set for CO2 savings and the reduction of NOx emissions at a well-known automobile manufacturer were achieved by using WS burners with ceramic finned recuperators in gas-fired pusher-type furnaces.
WS has been known worldwide for decades as the undisputed technology and market leader in the field of industrial burner technology for the thermoprocessing industry. For next-generation products, state-of-the-art manufacturing processes such as additive manufacturing are of course also used.
The WS Group was blessed with beautiful weather on April 30, 2025 when almost 500 guests accepted the invitation to "Dance into May" to celebrate the inauguration of two newly built halls in Renningen. With a large number of employees, customers, suppliers and political guests, the day was an entertaining experience that included in-depth technical discussions as well as joint networking.
Federal Cross of Merit for WS founder Joachim A. Wünning: As part of a festive ceremony, Joachim A. Wünning was awarded the Federal Cross of Merit on March 28, 2025. Awarded by Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and presented by Klaus Brenner, the award honors Wünning's life's work.
New CNC lathe at WS - high-end solution for precision and quality in in-house production and new development. The lathe from SPINNER Werkeugmaschinenfabrik GmbH will complement the extensive machine park at WS in the future.
Just in time for the start of the year, the WS Service department is delighted to have taken over and used the new WS Service Center. After extensive conversion work in the newly acquired building, nothing now stands in the way of its use as the new control center for our service department.
