Russian steelmaker NLMK has shipped 5mt of slabs to Vyksa Steel Works (VSW, part of OMK).
OMK Group and NLMK have created what they claim is a unique process chain in Russia dating back to 2012. NLMK manufactures slabs at its Lipetsk site from captive iron ore supplied by Stoilensky. The slabs are then processed by VSW into heavy plate at its Mill 5000 and then into large diameter pipes at its Pipe Electric Welding Plant No.4.
NLMK claims that its pipe production is on a par with global standards, thanks to high quality steel from NLMK and Vyksa's advanced production processes for plates and large-diameter pipes. As a result, OMK has been involved in a number of international pipeline projects including Power of Siberia, Bovanenkovo-Ukhta, Ukhta-Torzhok, Central Asia-China, and Zapolarye-Purpe.
Ilya Gushin, NLMK's vice president of sales, commented: "This new milestone in our partnership is a great example of productive win-win co-operation with consumers operating within a single process environment," he said.
OMK's head of commercial department, Eduard Stepantsov, said that an integrated pipe production chain developed by the two companies enabled them both to displace imports, and supply Russian energy companies with top-quality goods. "Russian-made large-diameter pipes are used in the construction of large-scale international and Russian gas and oil pipelines. As a result, we have practically eliminated LDP imports," he said.