The ultra-modern FBA10 plant in Dortmund produces premium surfaces - including for the automotive industry - in previously unattainable formats. The team already focused on aspects of sustainability when designing the system. From laser welding and higher-level heat management to particularly efficient heating of the largest part of the system, the annealing furnace.
By using modern regenerative burners from WS Wärmeprozesstechnik GmbH in double-P radiant tubes, the system typically saves between 15% and 30% of fuel compared to conventionally heated systems. At the same time, particularly low NOx emission values are achieved thanks to the patented FLOX® process. Thanks to the high efficiency and excellent temperature uniformity of the radiant tubes used, the heating system also creates the 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 most modern locations in the world for annealing and surface finishing of steel strip. Together, the plants can process up to 2,000,000 tons of steel per year. WS has already supplied a total of almost 800 highly efficient and low-emission burners for the Dortmund site alone. The consistent use of environmentally friendly technology therefore also has an important strategic dimension. Dr. Clemens Trachternach says of the regenerative burners used by WS: "It is the best technology available on the market, which we are installing in order to make the plant truly future-proof and to ensure that emissions remain safely below the limit values for many, many years to come."
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.
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.
There was a lot to celebrate at the WS Summer Party 2024. Around 250 guests spent a thoroughly successful day in Renningen in the best weather and found out about the many new developments in the WS Group. Good food and a cold drink or two ensured a great atmosphere and fond memories.
