Russian steel major Severstal announced that it has started the technical re-equipment of the hot rolled pickled steel cutting unit of the coating line No. 1 at its Cherepovets Steel Mill. The project involves the replacement of the old equipment with a new cutting unit, which is able to cut steel in thickness from 1.5 mm to 6.5 mm. The new equipment will be supplied by Italy-based machine manufacturer FIMI by the end of October this year.
The total investment in the project will amount to about RUB 1 billion ($15.36 million) and, with the installation of the project, the capacity of the unit will increase to 200,000 mt per year, rising by 75,000 mt, according to Severstal CEO Vadim Germanov.
The launch of the new cutting unit of coating line No. 1 is planned for late 2019, while the new unit will reach full capacity in the first quarter of 2020.
“A comprehensive replacement of equipment will significantly improve the quality of cutting hot-rolled pickled steel and, thereby, satisfy the growing demands of our customers among car manufacturers, enter new markets, including export ones,” said Alexey Pokatilov, director of sales and business development, machinery and automotive industry of Severstal.