Germany-based steel producer ThyssenKrupp has stated that it plans to lower the use of nickel in its stainless steel production due to the soaring prices of the metal.
In order to meet customer demand for reduced or zero nickel content stainless steel, ThyssenKrupp has taken the decision to install a VOD converter at its ThyssenKrupp Acciai Speciali Terni facility. This unit is expected be put in operation at the end of the first quarter of 2008. The unit will allow the company to extend the range of its ferritic steels to include grades which can replace traditional chromium-nickel steels in some applications.
Over a long-term period ThyssenKrupp plans to increase the share of nickel-free products in its total production from the current 30 percent to 35 percent.