Rebar rolling mill, Abul Khair (Bangladesh)

Abul Khair Steel Limited (BWRM) commenced production at the world’s fastest rebar rolling mill in Sitakunda, Chattogram, Bangladesh, in fall 2025. Supplied by SMS group as a single‑source package, the mill is designed to produce 1.6 million tonnes of deformed bars annually to meet Bangladesh’s growing demand for high‑quality construction steel.

The new mill has set industry benchmarks for speed and productivity. Engineered to roll deformed bars from 8 to 40 mm diameter, the plant achieved a record production speed of 52.5 m/s in initial operation and subsequently reached 55.04 m/s when producing 2×10 mm deformed bars.  

SMS delivered a comprehensive technological package to maximise sustainability and process efficiency. Key elements include the SMS ECOFlame+ low‑NOx burner in the reheating furnace and an Elotherm induction furnace at the entry side of stand 1 to recover billet heat losses and improve thermal efficiency. The EBROS^® endless bar rolling system increases productivity by enabling uninterrupted billet welding and continuous rolling.  

Operational flexibility and reduced maintenance demands are achieved through MEERdrive^® individual drive blocks (one motor per pass), which ensure consistent product quality across sizes and typically reduce roll‑ring inventory by around 60% compared with conventional blocks. The HSD^® (High‑Speed Delivery) system provides precise, high‑speed bar delivery, HSD drums have demonstrated robust service performance in large‑volume operations. 

The project highlights Abul Khair Steel’s commitment to competitive, environmentally conscious production and strengthens domestic capacity for construction‑grade rebar in Bangladesh.