The western
production district of Hebei Province-based Chinese steelmaker Handan Iron and Steel Group has been granted a permit to produce pipeline steel by
China's General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine. The permit in question covers pipeline steel grades of X80 and lower, with maximum thickness of 19 mm. With its new permit Handan Iron and Steel's pipeline steel is allowed to enter the general domestic market, consolidating the company's position as a supplier to
China National Petroleum Corporation.