South Korean steel producer Dongbu Steel has announced that it has completed test rolling for production of steel pipes in line with American Petroleum Institute (API) standards, including J-55, X-42, and X-52 grades, using hot rolled coil (HRC) produced from steel from its own EAF. Dongbu Steel is now ready to start commercial production of the pipes in question.
The test production performed at Dongbu Steel's Incheon Works was satisfactory to the company and the J-55 tubings and X-42 and X-52 line pipes produced have been shipped to overseas buyers.
Dongbu Steel plans to sell the said three API grade coils to other tubular goods producers and also to extend its product range to include X-60 and X-65 grades.
Company officials have visited many mini-mills in the US and accordingly are confident that their API grade HRCs will be competitive.
"The US API pipe makers are mainly using hot rolled coils produced by electric arc furnaces rather than ones produced by blast furnaces," remarked an insider at Dongbu Steel.
Dongbu Steel is also seeking to change its image by producing high grade steels including SPA-H, S45C, IF steel, and STK290/400/490.