The Russian pipe producer TMK Group (TMK) has announced that new large diameter smooth internal pipe coating equipment is currently being tested at its subsidiary Volzhsky Pipe Plant.
The new internal coating line, which comes under the scope of TMK's strategic investment program up to 2010, was supplied by Netherlands-based Bauhuis International B.V., and has an annual production capacity of 600,000 metric tons per annum. The new line is especially designed for the internal coating of pipes in diameters ranging from 530 mm to 1,420 mm and in wall thicknesses of up to 42 mm.
The line will start commercial production in the first quarter of 2008, and will be later incorporated in a new 508-1,420 mm longitudinal-welded pipe mill with finishing and exterior coating lines which is currently under construction at Volzhsky. The new mill will have an annual production capacity of 650,000 metric tons and is expected to commence production in the fourth quarter of 2008.
These new pipes were developed in cooperation with Russian energy giant Gazprom.