thyssenkrupp Materials Processing Europe invests in Stuttgart site: focus on digitalization and capacity expansion

• Expansion of capacities with a new slitting line and packaging line

• Construction of an additional 2,000 square meter shipping and finished materials warehouse

• Integration of new technologies such as fully automated digital setup and production process monitoring

thyssenkrupp Materials Processing Europe, the leading steel and aluminum service center in Europe, is expanding its capacities and investing a low double-digit million euro amount in its network: At the Stuttgart site, the company plans to install two new lines and build a new 2,000 square meter warehouse. The aim is to increase production, packaging and storage capacities and to optimize them digitally. Construction work and preparations for the installation of the new slitting and packaging systems began in August.

The state-of-the-art slitting line is expected to be operational by September 2025. The new line will increase the total capacity to 350,000 tons per year. The new line, supplied by Tilgert, will increase the total capacity to 350,000 tons per year and provide a comprehensive processing portfolio in the thickness range from 0.2 to 5.0 mm. In addition to conventional rolled steel, electrical steel strip can also be processed. As an indispensable component in the construction of electric motors, transformers and generators, the product is important for climate-neutral production and energy independence.

In order to meet the expanded production capacities in the packaging area as well, a new high-performance packaging line from the Italian company Promec, which is characterized by a high degree of automation and the ability to process high weight finished materials, will be installed in spring 2025.

Intelligent networking for greater productivity and flexibility

In addition to the implementation of new machines, the digital networking of the site also represents an important part of the investment. By using new technologies, such as fully automated digital setup and production process monitoring or the knife-assembly robot, the company expects to speed up and better coordinate individual production steps. To this end, the subsidiary thyssenkrupp Materials IoT has set up a central digital infrastructure that coordinates all process steps from the supply chain to the plant. The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) platform and MES (Manufacturing Execution System) called toii® enables digital communication between machines, systems, third-party systems and production employees. The solution uses the data obtained to increase productivity in production, among other things, while simultaneously reducing resources and costs. toii® has already been used successfully in manufacturing companies outside of thyssenkrupp for several years.

Marcus Wöhl, CEO of thyssenkrupp Materials Processing Europe, says on the importance of this investment: “With the ongoing and current expansion of production capacities and the range of services, we provide our customers offers for comprehensive market requirements with the help of new technologies. A modern service center must be able to meet increasing customer demands in terms of flexibility, quality, material expertise and variety. With this new investment, we will be able to position ourselves even more competitively and at the same time pursue our digitally supported sustainability strategy: from our own processes to emissions from our processed products right through to the entire supply chain.”

Focus on sustainability

thyssenkrupp Materials Processing Europe is committed to a consistent, digitally supported sustainability strategy and has set itself the goal of becoming climate-neutral by 2030. In Stuttgart, the processing specialists are focusing on greater standardization of packaging and returnable pallet types. The new slitting line has a drive unit that uses 20% less energy and an energy recovery system, combined with a state-of-the-art photovoltaic system. In the area of packaging, the replacement of the previous steel strapping with recyclable PET strapping will make an important contribution to reducing CO₂ emissions.

Branch manager Hans Pfaff from Stuttgart comments: "With the approval of this enormous investment and the trust placed in us by thyssenkrupp, we are underlining our claim to be the leading steel service center in Europe. I am very pleased about this as this also shows that Stuttgart is for future-proof and sustainable steel processing location. It also secures the jobs available here in the long term."

As a leading steel and aluminum service center, thyssenkrupp Materials Processing Europe serves processors from the automotive, electrical, construction and solar industries at ten locations in six countries. With its many years of expertise in procurement, consulting and prefabrication, the processing specialist provides customized services and digital solutions for flat steel and aluminum to its diverse customer base throughout Europe.

Find out more: locations of thyssenkrupp Materials Processing Europe

About thyssenkrupp Materials Services

thyssenkrupp Materials Services is one of the world’s leading mill-independent materials distribution and service providers with around 380 locations – including around 270 warehouse sites – in more than 30 countries. In the 2022/23 fiscal year, the company generated sales of € 13.6 billion and earnings of € 178 million. The versatile range of services offered by the materials experts allows customers to focus even more strongly on their individual core businesses. As part of its strategic further development "Materials as a Service", the company is focusing on the supply of raw materials and materials as well as products and services in the area of supply chain management. Digital solutions ensure efficient and resource-saving processes for customers and thus provide the basis for sustainable action. From 2030 on, Materials Services will operate on a climate-neutral basis.