With the start-up of the first CSP plant at Nucor in Crawfordsville, Indiana (USA), in 1989, SMS Siemag introduced the thin-slab technology in the market. 20 years after, around 52 million t of hot strip per year are produced in CSP plants. In times of high competitive pressure, rising energy prices and a growing environmental awareness, CSP gives the right answers. In addition to the benefits of the technology, the present paper describes the different requirements made by CSP users, discusses alternative concepts and provides an outlook to the future.