NLMK's VIZ-Stal masters production of premium-quality GO steel

VIZ-Stal, a subsidiary of NLMK Group, is to expand its GO (transformer) steel production capacities by 40%, up to 240,000 tonnes, as a result of the commissioning of a 75 ktpy reversing cold-rolling mill.

This RUR1.4 billion project is the main stage in establishing a process route for the production of premium-quality GO high-permeability steel (HPS). The planned production capacity for the mill, expected to be launched in Q4 2011, will be around 70 ktpy. The project is being implemented jointly with Andritz-Sundwig.

HPS is a premium-quality GO steel product that is seeing a steadily increasing demand in both emerging and developed markets. HPS allows manufacturers to significantly improve the quality of their products.

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With a 350 ktpy capacity, NLMK Group is one of the largest GO steel producers in the world. As part of its ongoing Technical Upgrade Program, NLMK is revamping its GO steel production facilities to improve the quality of its existing product mix and master new premium-quality GO steel grades. By 2014 the share of this product in overall GO steel production can reach up to 40%.