Japanese steelmaker Sumitomo Metals Industries Ltd (Sumitomo) and Sumitomo Cooperation have announced the receipt of an order from Hitachi Power Europe GmbH, a subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd, for the supply of over 3,000 mt of super high-end boiler tubes (TP347HFG products).
The steel tubes in question will be used in South Africa in boiler heat exchangers at coal-fired thermal plants, in conditions of extremely high temperatures and pressures.
Demand for super high-end boiler tubes has been increasing rapidly due to the rising demand for reductions in carbon dioxide emissions and for resource savings.
From October 2007 Sumitomo has achieved a 50 percent increase in its annual production capacity for super high-end boiler tubes, from 12,000 mt a year to 18,000 mt, in order to meet the growing demand in the market.