(19)

(11)

EP 2 748 344 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 02.07.2014 Bulletin 2014/27 (21) Application number: 12753099.6 (22) Date of filing: 17.08.2012

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC):  C21B 3/08(2006.01) (86) International application number: PCT/EP2012/066102 (87) International publication number: WO 2013/030016 (07.03.2013 Gazette 2013/10)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR (30) Priority: 26.08.2011 GB 201114762 (71) Applicant: Siemens VAI Metals Technologies Ltd. Sheffield, South Yorkshire S9 1XU (GB)	(72) Inventor: McDONALD, Ian Middlesbrough TS7 9AR (GB) (74) Representative: Payne, Janice Julia  Siemens AG Postfach 22 16 34 80506 München 80506 München (DE)