The project includes the relocation of its current coil service center from Azay-sur-Cher some 40 km east to new premises in Noyers-sur-Cher, in Central France.
In addition, new cutting equipment will be installed at the facility to enable the center to process stainless plates as well. The service center, which is expected to be commissioned by the end of 2009, will have a combined processing capacity of 40,000 mt a year for coils and plates of both standard and special stainless steel grades.
Outokumpu plans to improve its services to French customers and to increase its amount of sales to end-users as a result of its French stainless steel service center expansion project.