Tata Steel Europe, a part of India-based steelmaker Tata Steel, has announced that it has officially launched its new £2 million offshore processing center (OPC) in its Hartlepool tube works in the UK.
According to Tata Steel's statement, the processing center will play a pivotal role in supplying the renewables sector, manufacturing welded tubular components to be used in the fabrication of jacket foundations for offshore wind turbines.
As SteelOrbis previously reported, Tata Steel started construction works on the site in October 2011 and also signed a supply deal with German steel tube producer Eisenbau Krämer (EBK) to complement its own product portfolio. Under the agreement, tubes with a diameter of 400 mm and above will be produced by Tata Steel and EBK using plates manufactured by Tata Steel's plants in England and Scotland.
In addition to tubular products for jacket foundation structures, Tata Steel will also supply smaller sized tubes and sections suitable for all primary and secondary steel work within wind turbine fabrications.