Russian steelmaker MMK’s updated section rolling mill has produced its 20 millionth tonne of long products.

In 2005-2006, all of the old rolling machinery in the plant’s section workshop was replaced by three new, completely automated mills with an annual capacity of over 2Mt/yr and supplied by Danieli. These mills, claims MMK, were the first to be built in the territory of the former USSR in the post-Soviet era and were some of the most modern in the world in terms of equipment.

Section rolling mill 450 has a capacity of up to 790kt/yr intended for rolling corners, channels, circles in bars, and strips. The small-grade mill 370 has a capacity of 585kt/yr of rebar and circles with a diameter of up to 50 mm, squares, and hexagons. The small-grade wire mill 170 has a capacity of 765kt/yr of wire rod and small thermally adjusted fittings. The company's new rolling mills are claimed to deliver 'high productivity, flexibility of lines and a wide range of products in terms of types and sizes', as well as economy and efficiency due to the production process being automated.

In autumn 2008, the 5 millionth tonne of section product was produced at the new mills, in 2012 the 10 millionth tonne, and in July 2015 the 15 millionth tonne. All three section mills are now functioning at full capacity and providing high quality rolled products for both MMK Group’s hardware division and third-party consumers. Last year, more that 1.8Mt/yr of rolled metal was produced in MMK’s section workshop.

Earlier this year, the Magnitogorsk Iron and Steel Works finalised an investment contract with Danieli and Officine Meccaniche SpA for the modernisation of a two-piece mill 170 worth 5.5 million Euros. Modernisation will allow the air cooling line to obtain the final mechanical properties to bring it in line with Russian and world standards for high-carbon steel, and reduce the current downtime associated with equipment maintenance and repair.