Production

Outstanding materials are created when know-how and commitment come together. Together, we continue to develop proven production standards and establish new, innovative processes in order to produce even more safely, economically and resource-efficiently.

Production / Produktion

Production route

Our production processes are based on state-of-the-art technology and in-depth expertise. From melting and powder metallurgy to forming and machining – every process guarantees the highest quality and precision.

BÖHLER has revolutionized steel production. Even today, melting metallurgy is still considered our domain, and the innovations we produce are the benchmark for the industry. We justify this high standard with ongoing development work and state-of-the-art production facilities.

Melting and remelting under vacuum (VIM, VAR) and advanced pressure ESR processes for the best metallurgical purity form the focus of the BÖHLER special steelworks. The result: high-speed steels, tool steels and special materials for the highest requirements in more than 250 brands.

Materials for this millennium

Constantly increasing tool requirements call for new, highly functional materials. The answer: high-performance materials produced by powder metallurgy with a homogeneous carbide structure for outstanding performance properties – such as our MICROCLEAN® steels. Here too, metallurgical expertise forms the basis for targeted problem solutions and gives our customers decisive competitive advantages. In order to meet our quality standards in the long term, we have built the world’s most modern PM production plant.

Rolling

BÖHLER produces bar steel with round and flat profiles as well as wire of the highest precision and quality on state-of-the-art rolling mills. Reproducible processes, high flexibility and the greatest possible customer proximity guarantee us a leading position worldwide.

Forging

On the 5200 t open-die press or in the long forging machine, materials for the highest stresses are forged to customer specifications up to 45 tons.

P 44 high-speed forge

Another high light is the P 44: A forging unit for the production of the most demanding components for the aviation or oil & gas industry. Thanks to its high forging frequency and the design of the entire infrastructure, this unit is particularly suitable for forming highly demanding materials such as nickel-based alloys.

RF100 long forging machine

With this unit, we forge bars for the oil & gas industry, for example, up to a length of 15 meters and a forging weight of up to 8 tons.

The customized finish

Thanks to the wide range of further processing options for long products, individual requirements can be met quickly and with the familiar BÖHLER quality. The rolled bar steel is subjected to quality heat treatment according to customer specifications and then adjusted, processed and tested. And we also fulfill every wish when it comes to the surface finish: peeled, polished, belt-ground, turned, milled or sawn. In tolerance classes of your choice.

For example:

● IBO ECOMAX bar steel peeled

● ECOBLANK bright steel, peeled and polished

● ECOFINISH bright steel strip ground

● BLANK STEEL ground and polished

The new special steel plant

The opening of the world’s most modern stainless steel plant in October 2023 marks a technological milestone in the production of future-oriented high-performance materials for the international automotive, energy and aviation industries. The new plant is a global pioneer in terms of digitalization and sustainability.

The opening of the special steel plant in Kapfenberg is a historic moment and a decisive technological step for the voestalpine Group, enabling us to further strengthen our global competitiveness. At the same time, this major investment contributes to the long-term preservation of prosperity and jobs in the region.

2023-Herbert-Eibensteiner

Herbert Eibensteiner

CEO of voestalpine AG

Milestones in the construction of the new stainless steel plant

  • 09.2017

    Decision on location

  • 04.2018

    Groundbreaking ceremony

  • 07.2018

    Award of technological plant construction for melting area to SMS group

  • Q4 2018

    Award of plant construction for casting area and hall construction

  • Q4 2018

    Start of hall construction

  • From 2019

    Installation of the units

  • End 2020

    Start cold commissioning

  • 2023

    Start-up phase / commissioning

    Nachhaltigkeit / Sustainability
    voestalpine BÖHLER Edelstahl
    Our special steel is 100% recyclable and makes a sustainable contribution to environmental protection and resource conservation.
    Nachhaltigkeit / Sustainability 2
    voestalpine BÖHLER Edelstahl
    Around 80 per cent of all steel ever produced worldwide is still in use today. This makes special steel a pioneer in terms of sustainability.
    Nachhaltigkeit / Sustainability 1
    voestalpine BÖHLER Edelstahl
    Our products are currently made from 76 per cent recycled scrap – and the proportion is constantly increasing.