CMT^® 350 mill, Future Forgeworks (Australia)

Future Forgeworks, a steel manufacturer based in Brisbane, Australia, has commissioned SMS group in late 2024 to supply the nation’s first Continuous Mill Technology (CMT^® 350) mill with a production capacity of 350,000 tons per year of rebar.

The project introduces several technical innovations. The CMT^® concept feeds liquid steel directly to a high-speed caster that continuously supplies the rolling mill, eliminating the need for a conventional fossil-fuel reheating furnace. The mill is designed so that no natural gas is required for billet reheating, SMS Elotherm inductive heating furnaces will instead reheat billets using green electricity. SMS will supply the entire plant from a single source, ensuring streamlined delivery and integration. This includes the engineering and procurement of new steelmaking facilities, featuring an electric arc furnace that is focused on efficiency and sustainability. Additionally, the project comprises a fume treatment plant, a ladle furnace, a caster, and a rolling mill with a capacity of 350,000 tons per year. 

Quality and process-control features further strengthen the technical package. The TBK REBARgauge, an autonomous laser measurement system, enables early detection of dimensional deviations and supports in-process corrections to maximize yield and reduce material waste.

Environmental impact and decarbonization are central to the project. Future Forgeworks’ new mill aims to set new  benchmarks in low-carbon rebar production and meets the increasing demand for sustainable construction materials in Australia. By removing traditional reheating and using electric-based process heating supplied from green electricity, the technology substantially reduces energy demand and CO₂ emissions of up to 30 % compared with conventional rebar production routes. 

The construction work started in early 2025. The project targets first-bar production within 24 months of commencement and full completion by the end of 2027.