The Ukrainian iron ore and steel producer Metinvest Holding (Metinvest) has announced that its subsidiary Khartsyzsk Pipe Works (KhPW) has completed the construction of its new line to produce single-seam thick-walled large diameter (LD) pipes made of Х80 grade steel. The total amount of investments made within the framework of the plant's modernization program amounted to about UAH 260 million (about $32.8 million).
Accordingly, the final stage of new line's construction in 2010 included the commissioning of the new hydraulic press, supplied and installed by German-based UNIWELD Maschinenbau GmbH & Co.KG, which enables testing of tubes of 406-1,422 mm diameter and of 6.3 mm to 40 mm wall thickness with maximum testing pressure of 300 bar. Previously, in 2009 a new bevel cutting unit was launched and a plate bending machine was reconstructed. The commissioning of this equipment enabled KhPW to master the production of 12-meter length pipes of 530 mm diameter and wall thickness from 7.9 mm to 19 mm, with one longitudinal seam. The construction of the new line was started in 2006.
" The commissioning of the new production line allows the expansion of the product mix, enables to feel confident in the world market and to compete with the world manufacturers as equal," KhPW general director Dmitry Livshits commented.