A Polish steel tubes plant in Gliwice owned by Huta Labedy has handed a final acceptance certificate to German steel production technology company SMS group.

SMS group has installed a 12.75 inch ERW (Electric Resistance Welding) welded tube line capable of producing tubes with diameters ranging from 4.5in to 12.75in, wall thicknesses between 3mm and 12.7mm and lengths of up to 18 metres.

According to SMS, it is the largest and most advanced plant in Poland designed to manufacture electro-resistance welded tubes with longitudinal seams.

The new plant enables Huta Labedy to enter new markets for thick-walled precision tubes with high tensile strengths.

High-precision, thick-walled tubes for pressure applications in thermal engineering and for conveying fuels and other energy carriers will be produced at the plant; and they will meet the exacting requirements of standards such as API 5L for line pipes and EN 10219 for round, square and rectangular structural.

Huta Labedy’s deputy president of the managing board, Grzegorz Lukas, said that the new tube mill will enable the company to expand its product range and improve cost efficiency. “Our new mill is one of the most advanced plants of its kind,” he said.