NEWS
INDUSTRYNEWS
New developments in the Steel industry
MMK completes construction on cold rolling complex
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agnitogorsk Iron & Steel Works (MMK) has launched the second stage of its new cold rolling complex. The complex, capable of producing 2 mtpa of finished products, will primarily produce high-quality cold-rolled and galvanised steel to be used in the production of exterior and interior car parts, as well as for use by home appliance manufacturers and the construction industry. MMK’s total investment in the project is RUB 44.5 billion, including the cost of the equipment – €490 million. The contract to deliver the equipment for the first stage of the cold rolling complex – the Mill 2000 – was signed by MMK in July 2007 with the German machinery maker SMS-DEMAG.
Construction began in March 2008. In July 2011 the first stage of the complex (a continuous turbulent pickling line linked to the five-stand cold-rolling Mill 2000) came on line, with President Vladimir Putin participating in the launch ceremony. He noted the significance of this project to Russia’s entire industrial sector. According to MMK chairman of the board Victor Rashnikov, “With the launch of MMK’s cold rolling mill, both Russian and foreign automakers working in this country will have the opportunity to use Russian milled steel products which meet the highest world standards.” Visit: www.mmk.ru
EVRAZ contract with Uralvagonzavod ArcelorMittal Poland
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VRAZ plc has signed a five-year contract with UVZ agreeing the supply of metal products. The agreement was signed in Berlin at the international ‘Innotrans-2012’ exhibition. The contract is valid from 2012 till 2017 and establishes mutual obligations for the purchase of metal and railway wheels. This collaboration between EVRAZ and UVZ will establish a transparent mechanism for determining the price, the formula for which will be tied to market indicators. “EVRAZ intends to strengthen relationships with its partners through long-term contracts, and this five-year agreement with Uralvagonzavod is a sign of our commitment to that process,” said Ilya Shirokobrod, vice-president and head of EVRAZ’ railway products division. “EVRAZ is among the world leaders in the production of railway products, and we are sure that our products will meet the demands of our partner.” “This strategic partnership agreement, signed by the two largest companies of Nizhniy Tagil,
Forgemasters wins US pressure vessels contract
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he UK’s Forgemasters has won a contract to supply pressure vessel components to a large global chemicals manufacturer, based in the US. Valued at more than USD 3 million, the contract will see Forgemasters produce forged shells, liners and heads for large-
ensures the success and prosperity of not only the city, but the region and our industry as a whole. It will lead to modernisation of production facilities. We closely cooperate with each other and we are sure of mutual success,” noted Andrei Shlenskiy, deputy director of Uralvagonzavod, head of the Railway Equipment division. Visit: www.evraz.com
scale pressure vessels, designed to operate under highly stressed conditions in the manufacture of polyethylene. The deal builds on Forgemasters’ many years of experience in the large, complex petrochemical pressure vessel business and initiates the company’s supply into the vast American pressure vessels market. Martin Brear, sales director at Shef-
re-starts major rail project
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rcelorMittal Poland has invested €58m in four projects, including a major new production line for Dabrowa Górnicza. The plan to produce 120metre rails – a strategically important project for ArcelorMittal – was re-approved by the investment allocation committee in July, after the project was put on hold in 2011 due to capital investment limitations and the difficult economic situation in Europe. “We are currently producing 30-metre rails which have to be welded several times until they reach the required length. This project is absolutely crucial for sustaining and strengthening our market share and the completion date has been scheduled for December 2013,” said Patrick Deforche, chief technology officer of ArcelorMittal business division east. A total of €36m is being invested in the rail project, of which €4m was spent in 2011, mainly on construction in the heavy section mill where the rail line will be installed. Visit: www.arcelormittal.com field Forgemasters Engineering Ltd, said: “Although the details of the pressure vessels contract are commercially sensitive, we are able to announce that Forgemasters has won a significant first order for highly specialised forged components, which will form large-scale pressure vessels for the chemicals production industry.” Visit: www.sheffieldforgemasters.com Industry Europe 11
