Metalloinvest is to modernize Ural Steel

Metalloinvest has signed a contract with SMS Concast AG (Switzerland) for the modernisation of the four-strand continuous casting machine at Ural Steel (CCM #1).

As part of its modernisation, CCM #1 will be adapted to produce 455mm billets for railway wheels and square billets with section measurements of 300 x 330 mm for rail production. SMS Concast will produce and supply the new equipment.

Andrey Varichev, CEO of Management Company Metalloinvest, commented: "The modernisation of CCM #1 at Ural Steel will enable Metalloinvest to produce new types of high-margin products, reinforce the position of the Company on the high-quality steel grade market and improve the efficiency of its production. Our investment in this project will amount to more than 1 billion roubles".

The steel billets manufactured at CCM #1 will be produced using Convex® crystalliser technology, the Conflow holding brake and the new Constir system of electromagnetic stirring in the final crystallisation zone. Production is planned to start in mid-2017.