Posted on 22 Jul 2011
Ukraine’s Metinvest has started revamping its 1.7m tonnes/year 3,600mm wide plate rolling mill at Azovstal Iron & Steel Works in Mariupol, Donetsk region, Steel Business Briefing learns from the company.
Once completed in October this year, the upgrade will enable Azovstal to produce plate of API X90 strength grade, up from the current X70 and X80, it says. It will also result in developing thinner plate gauges meant for manufacturing of high strength large diameter pipes used for high pressure oil and gas piplines. X80 and X90 plate will be supplied to Metinvest-owned Khartsyzsk Pipe Plant, also in the Donetsk region, eastern Ukraine, SBB understands. Notably, the revamped rolling mill will be able to produce higher strength plate made of steel with reduced amount of alloying agents. Azovstal may save up to 20% of alloys per tonne of steel and therefore cut its slab cash costs once the upgraded mill is fully operational, SBB understands. Equipment for the 3,600mm mill’s upgrade, as well as certain services and works, are provided by SMS Siemag of Germany, according to Metinvest. Azovstal's slab and billet capacity is around 5.2m t/y, which can be processed into rails, plate and sections. Azovstal's plate ranges from 1,500-3,200mm wide and 6-200mm thick, SBB understands. Once completed in October this year, the upgrade will enable Azovstal to produce plate of API X90 strength grade, up from the current X70 and X80, it says. It will also result in developing thinner plate gauges meant for manufacturing of high strength large diameter pipes used for high pressure oil and gas piplines. X80 and X90 plate will be supplied to Metinvest-owned Khartsyzsk Pipe Plant, also in the Donetsk region, eastern Ukraine, SBB understands. Notably, the revamped rolling mill will be able to produce higher strength plate made of steel with reduced amount of alloying agents. Azovstal may save up to 20% of alloys per tonne of steel and therefore cut its slab cash costs once the upgraded mill is fully operational, SBB understands. Equipment for the 3,600mm mill’s upgrade, as well as certain services and works, are provided by SMS Siemag of Germany, according to Metinvest. Azovstal's slab and billet capacity is around 5.2m t/y, which can be processed into rails, plate and sections. Azovstal's plate ranges from 1,500-3,200mm wide and 6-200mm thick, SBB understands.
